jhenne-o-lantern:

sakiyoshioka:

sweeterthanmydreams:

jhenne-o-lantern:

atyourrequest:

If you were curious of who I picture as the real life version of Bolin… it’s Micah Alberti you may remember him from a TV show called Wildfire that starred now wife of Jared Padalecki Genevieve Cortese. Anywho, this guy… is that guy.. just look at that face..

And honestly, everyone always complains about “white washing” of characters.. I see Bolin as this man because I can’t not look at his face and see anything but an Italian German background that has led to that BEAUTIFUL FACE… 

UPDATE: It seems like a lot of people firmly believe that these shows should be casted with a strictly Asian cast. While I wholeheartedly accept that you are all welcome to your opinion, this is mine. I was simply stating that if I was a casting director looking for someone to play the role of Bolin, the uncannily similar features of Micah Alberti and Bolin would definitely turn my head. I’m working on a photoset of the original ATLA cast that has who I believe should have played their characters in the live action film.  If you guys have any suggestions as to what actors and actresses you believe would fit those rolls really well let me know. I’d love to put together some fun options for everyone to see. Again since I didn’t say it before I’ll say it now, I apologize if any of you believe that I was doing this in a menacing or malicious way I promise I wasn’t. :)

do you agree?

So.

Here we go: 

What you’re doing in inherently hurtful, whether you intended it to be or not. I believe you when you say you’re not trying to be malicious, I really do, but that’s really here nor there. AtLA and LoK are both set in a Pan-Asian world, and your fancasting choices contribute to the trend of Whitewashing, and erasure, and marginalization in the media. 
“If you were a casting director” this would be arguably worse, because then the erasure/Whitewashing would be on a massive, theatrical scale! (Like what happened with The Last Airbender!) That. Is. Harmful. It has real life repercussions. It effects real people, young and old alike, that rarely get to see people like themselves cast in major roles, let alone as the heroes of stories and films in Western Media. 
These options are, honestly, not fun at all. They’re really hurtful, and the fact that you can take everything so lightly is (probably unintentionally) insulting. :/
Like, I’m glad you’re apologizing, but it doesn’t really help if you don’t understand why your actions are hurtful in the first place. 
Just in case you actually do care, here are some helpful resources: 
Idk.

Help that helps.

Oh my god, social justice blogging strikes again. =.=

I always find this kind of thing funny

Because I’ve often thought about it, if I were a casting director, or script writer or anyone else who would get some input into who’s cast, I wouldn’t cast based on how well you resembled the character being portrayed, I’d much rather have good actors who can show emotion through film and tug at heartstrings and just over all play the role well. Their skin should really be one of the last things you consider.

If you have two really great actors going for the same part, and one resembles the character more, THEN it should be a factor. 

Reverse racism is still racism

Firstly. 

  1. The owner of AtYourRequest came to me, via my askbox, to tell me that she “appreciated my comments/feedback” to the original post. I responded with the above list of links because she. was. interested.

    Then, she asked for help about the situation. 

    Here you go:


  2. To which I responded with -> this <-

  3. “Reverse racism” is not a thing. You need to stop. 

  4. Especially in the media. They are not victims of erasure or marginalization, unlike PoC actors!


  5. ”, I’d much rather have good actors who can show emotion through film and tug at heartstrings and just over all play the role well. Their skin should really be one of the last things you consider.”

    Believe it or not, Asian actors/Asian American actors can also be talented! WHOA.

 Mary:

Completely relevant.

(via moniquill)

Source:

Whitewashing

alostbird:

Since apparently it was so hard the first time around for people to get and apparently people just can’t search through the ‘whitewashing’ tag for more information or go to any of these blogs (Racebending, Stop Whitewashing, DamnLayoffthebleach, Korraisnottan, Finite-whitewashing, Race in my fandom, etc) or simply use Google. I’m now going to explain it again, nicely for the last time. 

What is racism?

I’d like to point you to the real definition (1, 2). The dictionary definition is not accurate since it wasn’t written by people who actually face racism. Those people would be People of Color (everyone that’s non-white). In a short sentence, white people do not face racism, PoC do. Also here is a fine explanation of whiteness.  More on understanding racism: The Angry Eye (Part 1, Part 2). White privilege. Colorblind racism [1, 2] Also Colorism [1,2, 3, 4, 5]

Now before we can continue read that again. White people do not face racism, PoC (everyone that’s non-white) do. Okay? Okay. Moving on. 

All whitewashing is racist and it’s extremely harmful. Let’s repeat it again. All whitewashing is racist and it’s extremely harmful. Got that? Good. Also there’s no such thing as Blackwashing. 

Now what is whitewashing? 

Read More

(via stopwhitewashing)

Source: alostbird

Her love interest, Bramford, is a Coal. So yeah, this is about an interracial relationship in a post-apocalyptic world. Or more narrowly, if you take out the question of race, a Beauty and the Beast story in which both parties must find self-acceptance (no story spoilers) before they can discover true love.

Not too many years ago, I can imagine that this story might have generated heated comments about the sexualized fantasies about black men. And yeah, there was one. And having checked out that blogger, I strongly suspect that he belongs to a much older generation than young adults.

Otherwise, I’m happily surprised to say there has been not a blip of protest.

So what does the lack of any racial outrage or puzzlement or fervor amidst the tremendous rain of positive reviews possibly say?

Conceivably, if the book had not reached the African-American community of readers, if such a category still exists, perhaps there might be some backlash. The first young African American reader who responded to me loved the book. But then, she’s the kind of free spirit who would eschew limiting herself to a single category.

Victoria Foyt, Author of Save the Pearls being the biggest idiot ever, quite possibly.

not a single blip of protest.

HAHAHAHAHA.

(via missturdle)

I HAVE NEVER READ SUCH STUPIDITY IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I ACTUALLY WANT TO SCREAM. WHAT.

HER LOVE INTEREST IS A “COAL,” SO HE’S A PoC RIGHT? AND THE LOVE STORY IS LIKE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST?

AND THE DARK SKINNED MAN.

THE “COAL.” IS BEAST LIKE?

YEAH MAN, YOU’RE BREAKING SOME REAL GROUND WITH THIS STORY.

(via fangirlingforeverz)

wait wait

so white people are referred to as “pearls” while POC specifically black people are coals? really? fuck this person may they get thrown into the ocean forever

(via thesavagesalad)

No, no, really. I want her to keep talking and defending this crap. Because the more she does the worse it gets.

(via ouyangdan)

*sigh, rubs temples*

I really really need to work on my stories if this shit is being published.

(via reanimatrix)

“Conceivably, if the book had not reached the African-American community of readers, if such a category still exists…” are you saying poc don’t read…?

(via repede)

*NOSE FLARE*

What!

I couldn’t get through the whole thing but the bottom. WHAT!!!

BITCH!

ARE YOU SERIOUS!

IF THAT

OMG

NO

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I READ HOE?!

AND I’M ‘AFRICAN AMERICAN’, FUCK YOU!

YOU KNOW WHY WE DON’T HAVE OUR OWN SECTION OF BOOKS IS BECAUSE YOUR RACIST ASS SAVE THE FAIRY PUSSY BITCH BOOKS GET PUT BEFORE OURS!

I NEED A RICH FRIEND!

I NEED A REALLY REALLY RICH FRIEND SO I CAN START A PUBLISHING COMPANY!

OR MY BOOK NETFLIX IDEA!

UGH

FUCK

MY

LIFE!

(via puzzlegirlsandpoprocks)

(via puzzlegirlsandpoprocks)

Source: The Huffington Post

stopwhitewashing:

grandmasterchu:

NEW SPOKEN WORD VIDEO! “Colorblind” - a response to racism in film, media, and theater.

Please Like & Share with your friends!

Kamanitree: BOOM. Truth upon truth upon truth.

(via rodeoclownkamanitree)

Source: jasonchumusic

racebending:

“Whitewashing, a history” by Aasif Mandvi

A few weeks ago, Racebending was consulted about a timeline that Salon.com wanted to publish about the history of whitewashing.  Today it was published alongside an eviscerating satiric article written by Aasif Mandvi.  Here’s an excerpt below, but make sure to check out the full article here:

All I have to say is that whitewashing has been going on since as long as Hollywood has existed — it’s a tradition — and rather than non-white people complaining about it, they should embrace it. It will make going to the movies so much easier and more fun. But there are just a few things you need to understand.

First, stop watching movies as ethnic people and start watching them as white people. There’s nothing that white people like more than seeing other white people in movies and on television. When you go to the movies with your ethnic “judgment” eyes, you miss my point. Watch as a white person, and suddenly your outrage turns to understanding and laughter.

Take a minute to walk to your limousine in my Gucci shoes, and you’ll realize that I’m just trying to make people smile. Mickey Rooney with buckteeth and a crazy accent in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”? It’s so much funnier than finding a real Chinese actor just talking like himself. Then you’d have to get a screenwriter to actually write genuinely funny lines for that character. You get so much more comedy bang with buckteeth and a funny accent. I mean, it made me laugh. Many people, including myself, were also convinced that Charlton Heston truly was a Mexican/Native American/Egyptian/Ape who talked to God. And I think I convinced a lot of Asians that Genghis Khanreally did look like John Wayne back in the ’60s. “Short Circuit” was one of my biggest hit movies and I was completely convinced that Fisher Stevens was Indian. Who knew he was a Jewish guy from New York? That accent was spot on!

My point is, I’m not the bad guy. I’m just the rich guy. When you look at it through my studio executive lens, you understand how important it is that both white people and non-white people believe that Indians, Asians, Mexicans and Arabs are truly just white people in brown makeup. 

Deedee:

How to write satire and get the message across.

Because whitewashing is a non issue folks. 

So Your Artwork Has Been Called Out for Whitewashing: A How To Reaction Guide

crystalzelda:

So you’re just living your merry life, posting your great fanart online for friends and fans alike to revel in, and then BAM! It happens.

You get called out for whitewashing.

You! Yes, you over there! What have you done.

Either in the comments or because it was reposted/reblogged by a blog dedicated to pointing out whitewashing, your work has been singled out. What to do?? But fear not, my friend, here’s a step by step guide to navigate you through this difficult time and come out without looking like a total douchebag! Behold, How To React When Your Art Has Been Accused of Whitewashing.

DO: Read the post carefully and all its commentary, whether its a novel or simply a gif. Someone is saying something to you - a good idea is to listen!

DO: Look at your art again and look at the original material. Is there a difference in the skin tone (spoiler alert - chances are yes, yes there is)? Ask yourself what happened. Why is your work lighter? Why did you choose the palette you did?

DO: Fix it! A mistake was made, either intentionally or not. But in the end you used the wrong skin color - go back and darken appropriately and repost the correct art. Yes, correct. Accept the fact that the character you drew is Black/brown/Asian/NOT WHITE and act accordingly (PS - drawing characters as a POC with lighter skin than in the canon is still whitewashing). Now that that’s done, repost with a quick explanation that you redid the skin tone.

DO: Be vigilant next time you draw and think about the character you’re trying to portray and what they actually look like. And voila, you’re done! You’ve successfully responded to an awkward situation and have come out a better artist and person from it.

Yaaay good job high five!

But! Bonus! We’ll include this handy guide of things to AVOID doing so you don’t make a giant jackass of yourself.

DO NOT: Get butthurt or personally offended or irrationally angry at the people who pointed out your fuckup. It’s not their fault whitewashing occurred on your watch.

DO NOT: Just because the people who called your art whitewashed didn’t write a heartfelt long paragraph about why this is a problem and held your hand and stroked your head whispering, “shhh, it’s okay, you is kind, you is smart, you is important” doesn’t mean that their points are anything less that valid. Being snarky or rude doesn’t invalidate the message. If you want explanations as to why Whitewashing Is Bad (and why Racebending is Not), Google is your friend!

DO NOT: Attempt to justify the whitewashing, especially if you provide bullshit excuses like “the lighting! the lighting!”. As an artist, you ought to know that sunlight or fire does not turn POC white. It’s true! Look it up! Google images is here for you <3.

DO NOT: Insult, harass, or otherwise be an annoyance to the people that pointed out the whitewashing. It’s bad form, and it just makes you look like a total ass. 

Doing any of these things makes Yoda face palm. Think of Yoda!

So there we are! That wasn’t so bad, was it? And yet it’s quite difficult for some people. Let’s be real - you did something, whether intentionally or not, that is offensive. It happens to all of us - take it from someone who’s been there. Many people have made that mistake - doesn’t automatically make you a terrible person. It’s not hard to fix. But if you’re going to argue that “omg it’s just fandom who cares”, obviously a lot of people do and it’s symptomatic of a larger problem. Don’t make it worse on yourself by saying stupidity like that. Posting art online makes it fair game to observations of all kinds. One last time: using the right skin tone for a character is not hard. Neither is acting like an adult when someone points out an issue in your art. Now get out there and be the best artist you can be without perpetuating racism!  You can do it!

Benedict Cumberbatch believes in you.

Interested in the topic? Damnlayoffthebleach and stopwhitewashing are two blogs that deal with the issue. They’ve got great links too. Check it out bro!

Deedee:

I said I was gonna take a break from the blog todady

But!

OMG! COME HERE!

occasionallypaper:

Does anyone else notice a problem here? One comic book was merchandise for the live action movie, the other was for the series. Which is the one we all know and love? Why it’s the one with racial diversity of course! Now, why would the live action movie, made to be a “multicultural movie ” have a bunch of white people on the cover of it? Katara and Sokka even looks as though they have blonde hair. From a sociological outlook, this poses a very interesting outlook. Despite the series being ACTUALLY multicultural, they still couldn’t cast two of the main characters as their intended ethnicity. On the accusations of white washing, Shymalan had said, “Anime is based on ambiguous facial features. It’s meant to be interpretive.”I dunno about you guys, but this sure wasn’t too hard to interpret for me. His “interpretation” has transformed the reception of the series and created the message that only whites can be in hero positions. This isn’t the message that Avatar was trying to send.

I’ll leave with a little quote from an interview with the creators of Avatar.

What did you guys think of the live-action version of “The Last Airbender”?

Konietzko: We’re just really focused on this new show [Legend of Korra] right now, and kind of taking this off in its own direction and not concerning ourselves with that right now.

So you didn’t follow the casting controversy about the movie version of “The Last Airbender”?

Konietzko: We didn’t head up that film. We’re just happy to be back generating the original content in this mythology, which is what we do.

Shymalan Interview:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/07/talking_with_director_m_night.html

full interview about Legend of Korra including the movie questions:

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/07/21/legend-of-korra-the-creators-of-avatar-the-last-airbender-on-the-new-spinoff/

(via hairyprincess)

Source: occasionallypaper

Anonymous asked: I find that the Hunger Games made the same casting mistake as Avatar: The Last Airbender. Though it is completely clear in the series, the producers go the complete opposite way with race.

raptorific:

Note: I know this post sounds like I’m being rude to this particular anon, but I’m mostly attempting to expand on what they mean. Imagine me and the anon standing next to each other, agreeing, while I yell at society, who is standing across from us. 

I agree with you, except on one point: your use of the word “mistake.”

Whitewashing in movies is no mistake. It’s 100% intentional. You know who pays for movies? Old white dudes, a group that is notorious for containing many racist members. The same dudes who told George Lucas that they didn’t want to produce “Red Tails” because the major protagonists were not white. It’s the same reason why Lavender Brown was played by a black actress until she mysteriously turned white just in time to date Ron Weasley. It’s real similar to the reason why Joanne Rowling made up a middle initial because her publisher thought the books would sell better if people didn’t realize the author was a woman. The film industry is targeted towards white audiences, and films with protagonists of color are generally marketed as “niche” films. 

It’s a pervasive attitude in America. When you’re watching the news and a girl’s gone missing, most of the time, they’re pretty, blonde, and white. Weeks of news coverage about the search for her, every development, every twist, they follow the court case closely, they make a TV movie about the story, and everyone’s happy when she gets home safe and sound. Now, white kids don’t go missing more often than kids of color, it’s just that when a white kid goes missing, the media believes it will get higher ratings. Remember Jessica Lynch, the soldier who was taken prisoner at the beginning of the Iraq War? Those of you who do remember the breaking news coverage all the time about her situation. Did y’all know that there was another soldier taken prisoner that same day, by the same people, in the same ambush? Shoshana Johnson, a black woman, was in the exact same situation as Lynch, but the way the news told it, Lynch was the only soldier taken prisoner that day. Lynch herself criticized this coverage, calling it “a lie” to make her a legend while relegating other heroes to the sidelines. Check this out for further reading.

The fact is, we live in a racist, sexist, generally all-around bigoted society, and with something as high-profile as a major motion picture, the whitewashing of the cast is no accident. 

(via meggannn)

Source: raptorific