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1. This Matters: Avatar the Last Airbender’s Friky Diky Cast « Lemon Water on 23 Jan 2009 at 7:24 pm

   [...] Avatar: Get a tan, become asian – Angry Asian Man @ Racialicious [...]

2. On Avatar, casting, and other such matters (AKA why doesn’t Hollywood have a clue?) « The Otaku Librarian on 30 Jan 2009 at 10:07 am

   [...] January 30, 2009 · Filed under News &#183 Tagged anime, movies, News http://www.racialicious.com/2009/01/22/avatar-get-a-tan-become-asian/ [...]

3. Thought Piece: Miley Cyrus and Asian Face « Like a Whisper on 06 Feb 2009 at 11:35 am

   [...] (Is that like Richard Nixon not being a crook?) Then there is Twilight star Jackson Rathbone, whose playing an Asian cartoon character named Avatar in an upcoming M. Night Shyamalan movie who sa… and hope the audience goes along with him. And while looking for the Real Housewives clip, I [...]

4. AVATAR: GET A TAN, BECOME ASIAN « urban horror on 24 Aug 2009 at 1:35 am

   [...] Click here for racialicious [...]

Comments

1. Luis wrote:

   I was so angry. I’m a huge fan of the series, which makes a point of showing this amazing rainbow of folks from South Asian to East Asian to Inuit. Yes, the show is never explicit in their real-world racial analogue, but it goes out of its way to draw them in this way. When I heard M. Night was taking this on, I was supremely hopeful that I would see something revolutionary: a big budget Hollywood fantasy epic with a completely Asian cast. Instead I was given a punch in the gut.

   It just has to be stated bluntly: there are just no White people, people of European descent, in Avatar. Nor are their Black or American Indian people (excluding Inuits, who go by Alaskan Native in the US, not American Indian). As a Latino of Black, White, and, Native American descent, I can honestly say that I am completely okay with this. It still represents about 2/3 of the planet’s diversity, which is sorely underrepresented in Hollywood films.

   Coming from a director of South Asian descent, this can’t be seen as anything other than a total disgrace.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 1:51 pm ¶

2. Lola wrote:

   I can’t believe he said that, that is so offensive.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 1:57 pm ¶

3. Mary wrote:

   I saw the “get a tan” comment over on AAM a couple of days ago and… damn. I still haven’t gotten past the “Wait, did he really say that?” stage.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 2:01 pm ¶

4. Monie wrote:

   I understand that letter writing can be effective sometimes but Hollywood only responds when someone messes with their money.

   If people stay away from the film Hollywood will listen.

   Also Jackson Rathbone says “…and I definitely need a tan…”

   Because all Asian or South Asian people are one skin color?! Wow.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 2:03 pm ¶

5. Lxy wrote:

   Forget about a tan, Jackson Rathbone should just tape his eyelids like those White actors who played Charlie Chan did.

   Yellowface minstrelsy is alive and well in “post-racial”/”non-racist” America.

   Earl Derr Biggers would be proud.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 2:10 pm ¶

6. Kendra wrote:

   If I have time I will write a letter, but I most certainly will not be seeing this film. As a fan of Avatar, I cannot watch this film with a straight face. Not a dollar will be spent if I ever see it.

   Also, Asian identity being equated with a tan. WTF?!

   If you’re going to use white actors/actresses, let them be simply white.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 2:20 pm ¶

7. Sara wrote:

   Because you know, Asians are just like white folks except they have a slightly darker skin color.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 2:27 pm ¶

8. Tracey wrote:

   “I think it’s one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan,”

   Sometimes I see things like this and am convinced the quote was either made up or satire gone awry. Just…..wow. I mean, wow.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 2:54 pm ¶

9. deathblossom wrote:

   What I also found really hilarious was how he goes on further to say how cool it is that they get to shoot the movie in Asia. I keep trying to imagine it and it really does require suspending your disbelief, what with all those background Asians and these four white kids front and center. Of course, it’ll be more than these four white kids because many of the other characters are their relatives (Azula, Iroh, Hakoda, Firelord Ozai). I’m sure the past Avatar lives acting as mentors will be Asian, however. And Zuko’s girlfriend, Mai. Admiral Zhao will probably make the cut as well, being an antagonist and a doomed at that.

   Someone was actually arguing that Rathbone was saying he was going to do the best despite his whiteness and how unfair it was that we weren’t going to recognize his “amazing” talent because we’d rather have a subpar actor of the correct ethnicity without even trying to entertain the very likely alternative of Hollywood hiring the subpar white guy over an equally qualified or better minority, especially given that the casting calls said “Caucasian or other ethnicity”.

   I hope when the second movie rolls around that the name “Toph Bei Fong” will be enough to finally get an Asian in the main cast because I don’t even want to see how they’re going to spin her being white.

   Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 3:18 pm ¶

10. TheBlackSheep wrote:

    Is anyone shocked. Hollyweird is unspeakably racist and unapologetic for it. No one should see the film. Denting a film studios wallet always gets their attention. I for one will be writing a letter so they know the reason is THIS and not just disinterest.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 3:22 pm ¶

11. hvls wrote:

    When I first heard of the Avatar movie, I thought that they would do the typicall Hollywood thing of casting the main character (Aang) as white and the supporting cast as Asian. I was ok with that. But Sokka!
    When I heard that they entire cast was white, I thought well I won’t be going to see this movie. What Hollywood fails to understand is that race matters in ways way bigger that the tokenisms of most shows. That’s what drew me to grey’s anatomy (not anymore, the show’s too soapy for me now). Getting a tan doesn’t make someone Asain, or Latina or Black: it makes them stupid.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 3:50 pm ¶

12. Mr. Noface wrote:

    I’m at a point in my life where I don’t have to watch a crap movie just because I like the subject matter. If I want to see some Avatar awesomeness, then I’ll just watch the animated series on DVD. I get the feeling already that the movie will be crap so I’m not even going to bother with it and save my money for worthier films.

    I agree with Monie, money is the only language that Hollywood speaks. So, while letters are fine dismal opening weekend numbers will have a greater impact.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 4:26 pm ¶

13. Andrea R. wrote:

    I’ve never heard of “Avatar”, I don’t like anime, but I respect programs when using people of color as main characters.
    I’m outraged by his comments. What an idiot. Seriously “suspend your disbelief.”? Please.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 4:39 pm ¶

14. ChocolateOrchid wrote:

    This is ridiculous! Hollywood kills me with this kind of crap. I love Avatar but I will not be seeing this movie! The characters in the film should be true to the original storyline. WTH!! And I’m disappointed in Shyamalan.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 4:43 pm ¶

15. DomiX wrote:

    I’m tired of suspending belief because they want to cast white actors in roles that can be given to, or definitely should be given to actors of color.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 5:14 pm ¶

16. S's mom wrote:

    They should get John Cho to play a part. He’s a cutie.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 5:15 pm ¶

17. Rchoudh wrote:

    I agree with the poster above who mentioned about hitting Hollywood where it hurts most which is where its pocketbook’s at. But then I don’t feel so confident about that because they supposedly have Jesse McCartney signed on for this thing and you know that means getting all the fangirls help this thing break box office records.

    As for that guy’s comment up above if he thinks that’s all it takes to become Asian then I don’t think he’s fit to take on this role.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 5:27 pm ¶

18. talulah_m wrote:

    …what really kills me is the fact that these aren’t even like, *ultra famous* white kids. They’re just…white kids. In fact, the only one of them who is even marginally well-known is “famous” for standing around looking constipated in Twilight. For the love of God, the kid didn’t even have LINES.

    Also, he’s not really a “kid”: he’s in his twenties and he’s supposed to be playing a fifteen-year-old. So not only am I supposed to pretend he’s Inuit, I’m also supposed to pretend he’s barely through puberty.

    HOLLYWOOD, MY IMAGINATION JUST ISN’T THAT GOOD. Please start casting age- and ethnically-appropriate actors, cuz I just can’t handle all this cognitive dissonance.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 5:34 pm ¶

19. L. wrote:

    “I think it’s one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan.”

    W. T. F.

    I say throw a Fu Manchu in there just for the hell of it. That ought to do it…

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 5:39 pm ¶

20. Alexis wrote:

    This whole situation is absolutely ridiculous. And it sucks because I was having a fantastic day today, and now it’s ruined with this complete and utter foolishness.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 5:52 pm ¶

21. TE wrote:

    Not to tell Asians their business, but those that are offended need to stand up and get vocal about how yet again, Hollywood is abusing them, their image, their cultures, and their creations. They need to, publicly, call out these production companies and directors for indulging in White Hollywood’s Asian version of Blackface, Yellowface.

    This reminds me of similar commotion made about the lead roles in the American version of Death Note being played by instead of Asian Americans. This leads me to another point. Asians who are POed about this constant occurrence need to start making their voice heard within the Asian anime, manga, etc community in Asian nations, and letting the creators know that Asian characters need to look less European (White) and more Asian. I know Asian come in a variety of looks, but seriously, how frequently do you see Asians with naturally light brown or blond hair and/or blue, green, or gray eyes? Not to say it doesn’t occur, but come on…

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 6:06 pm ¶

22. EH wrote:

    I see another Streetfighter fiasco in the making, I will be watching the bootleg version on my laptop.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 6:33 pm ¶

23. atlasien wrote:

    “Not to tell Asians their business, but those that are offended need to stand up and get vocal about how yet again, Hollywood is abusing them, their image, their cultures, and their creations.”

    Asian-Americans already stand up and complain. But we’re also routinely vilified and mocked for doing it. It’s hard to hear our voices over the roar of the Wapanese hordes.

    As for Asians in Asian countries, this isn’t generally a problem for them. The average Japanese anime fan in Japan doesn’t give a damn about whiteifyed characters and yellowface in the U.S.. Why should they? It just doesn’t affect them on a day-to-day basis. If they come to America, or are in a lot of contact with American media, it starts affecting them, but otherwise they don’t really have a dog in the fight.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 6:34 pm ¶

24. elle wrote:

    Yet another reason why I hate mainstream Hollywood in all its agonizing hipocrisy. Its bad enough that they can’t even be original and produce remake after crappy remake, but they ruin a movie that I could have been attracted to by disrespecting the source, and hiring a way overrated director like Shyamalan. I might write a letter, but I definitely won’t be seeing this movie.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 6:41 pm ¶

25. k wrote:

    Honestly, I hope there isn’t a sequel to this movie – I hope enough people stay away that it does crappy and right before it premieres, this whitewashing hits the news again loudly and repeatedly. Over and over again until Hollywood FINALLY gets it.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 6:51 pm ¶

26. Titanis walleri wrote:

    “I’ve never heard of “Avatar”, I don’t like anime”
    It’s not anime, it’s an American cartoon.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 7:05 pm ¶

27. vera wrote:

    The comment from the actor (forgot his name) – stupid
    The idea of this movie without Asian actors – stupid
    Hollywood – stupid

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 7:26 pm ¶

28. Bagelsan wrote:

    But then I don’t feel so confident about that because they supposedly have Jesse McCartney signed on for this thing and you know that means getting all the fangirls help this thing break box office records.

    That’s right, fight racism with sexism! 9.9

    Well, as a fangirl of *Avatar* I will somehow muster up the *astonishing* amount of willpower required to go ahead and give whatshisname-teenybopper a pass. And yes, I know that by “fangirls” you mean the group of teenagers (mostly girls) that really *will* go watch some kid no matter what he’s in, but please next time just *say* that without lumping all female fans together.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 7:38 pm ¶

29. Arturo wrote:

    After catching up on the issue over the past few days, I gotta say: Suddenly Keanu Reeves in Cowboy Bebop doesn’t seem so egregious of a casting choice. The movie might still suck to high heaven, of course .

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 9:56 pm ¶

30. drakyn wrote:

    My sister loves Avatar so I’m asking her to write a letter and, if she must, to watch the movie online** instead of paying for it.
    Moreover, I’ve only seen a few episodes here and there and I can tell that the main characters are definitely not white; how anyone can say they are/might be…

    ** anime6[dot]org and tv-links[dot]cc will probably have it if anyone wants to do the same.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 10:27 pm ¶

31. Fiqah wrote:

    Time to derail the thread! Who will be playing Appa?

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 10:49 pm ¶

32. Aimay wrote:

    I can only imagine the outcry that would have occured if Harry Potter or Ironman had been played by Asian Americans. Hollywood’s racial/cultural “imagination” only works in one direction.

    My little brother really likes this show, but he will not be seeing the movie on my dime.

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 10:54 pm ¶

33. Rchoudh wrote:

    @Bagelsan

    Sorry for not being clearer but when I meant fangirls I should have pointed out Jesse McCartney fans.

    @Arturo

    They’re making Cowboy Bebop into a movie? Do yo know who’ll play Faye Valentime? Hollywood’s suddenly gotten into turning animes into movies (DBZ, StreetFighter which is an anime as well as videogame, now CB). Wonder when they’ll get around to casting for Sailor Moon: the Movie?

    Posted 22 Jan 2009 at 11:10 pm ¶

34. Combustion Man wrote:

    We can “suspend disbelief” when he puts on fangs to become a vampire…
    But, a tan? Are you kidding me?!?
    Do these kids even realize that this kind of controversy is an instant career killer?
    Well, I hope he got his sun tan lotion SPF1000.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 3:36 am ¶

35. Clara wrote:

    Stupid stupid stupid and racist racist racist is this whole thing. As a Chinese-American fan of Avatar, I definitely can’t understand all this “but it’s fantasy so they’re not REALLY Asian!” and the “I don’t see any Asian influences anywhere” garbage. It’s kind of heartbreaking to see my favorite show disrespected like this.

    And all this “we must judge the actors by their TALENT not by their race!” stuff is just another defense from those who claim to be “colorblind”. They seriously couldn’t find any talented actors of color to fill these roles?

    Although, I have a feeling that Shyamalan might not have had as much of a hand in the casting as we think. He could very well have been forced into it too.

    I will probably still see the film though, but probably by downloading it.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 3:51 am ¶

36. steph wrote:

    “I can only imagine the outcry that would have occured if Harry Potter or Ironman had been played by Asian Americans.”

    that would’ve been a nice change.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 4:53 am ¶

37. prof bw wrote:

    I told people this would happen with the unquestioned success of Tropic Thunder. Erasing the problematic aspects of that movie in order to embrace the satirical aspects of it was the beginning of the “get a tan” play a brown person in Hollywood. And did I not say that with each successive turn it would move further and further away from satire and/or racial critique?

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 9:45 am ¶

38. prof bw wrote:

    this time the excuse will be that the director is a poc, just wait for it.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 9:46 am ¶

39. Laurel wrote:

    I love the show. I didn’t have high hopes for the movie anyway, not being a fan of anything M. Night’s done lately. Now instead of simply not going to see it I can boycott it. Because this is obscene.

    It’s a good thing I love writing paper letters.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 10:06 am ¶

40. JenniferRuth wrote:

    Please read this:

    http://derekkirkkim.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-day-in-politics-same-old-racist.html

    - for an inspiring and passionate response.

    The post also has information of how best to complain and who to complain too. It is also starting a campaign to get the protest signatures of not just fans, but people involved in the comic/cartoon/art/writing industry.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 10:28 am ¶

41. Rchoudh wrote:

    @prof bw

    You’re right to point out how Tropic Thunder started the whole ____face trend as satire mood in Hollywood but I was thinking this ____face trend in “colorblind” casting started with Angelina Jolie’s taking on of the role in “A Mighty Heart”. Also I think that this Avatar movie is not really satirizing the whole ____face trend but like Jolie’s movie actually trying to make the audience seriously believe that white actors can diversify and take on any role, including one that should have belonged to POC. On the whole I agree that Tropic Thunder exacerbated this latest trend by bringing in the satirical twist to it.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 11:00 am ¶

42. marissa sammy wrote:

    Also, the cast requirements for extras have been released:
    http://glockgal.livejournal.com/385547.html

    Please note the way that they slyly use coded language (your “traditional costume”!) to say “we want ethnic-looking people” without actually having to come out and say “Asian/Inuit”.

    My disgust in the way this movie is being handled grows with each new piece of information. Asians/Natives are only good enough to be extras IN THEIR OWN STORIES.

    Thanks for this article! The more fronts we can talk about this issue on, the more chance our protests about this blatant racism will be heard.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 1:37 pm ¶

43. deathblossom wrote:

    AAM has a new post up stating that apparently they’re casting extras this Saturday with the request that those who show up “dress casually or in the traditional costume of your family’s ethnic background.” Ethnic extras to the rescue.

    http://www.angryasianman.com/2009/01/protest-at-avatar-extras-casting-in.html

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 1:51 pm ¶

44. Persephone wrote:

    @TE — waitwaitwait American version of Death Note what? Why haven’t I been informed of this?

    Also it is awesome that there are so many Avatar fans on here.

    Also, I had a dream last night that one of my Asian friends had been replaced by a blond dude. wtf.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 1:52 pm ¶

45. nojojojo wrote:

    WHAT.

    I’m too bitter over the whole thing to care about letter writing anymore. Even if they change the casting at this point, this whole mess has left too bad of a taste in my mouth; I’m not going to bother to see the film.

    Have they started shooting yet? If so, they’re not likely to change at this point. Might be best for us to just start planning the protests at premiere night. My placard will say: “Ching Chong, Charlie Chan, if you buy a ticket YOU’RE A RACIST FAN.”

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 1:56 pm ¶

46. Persia wrote:

    prof bw and Rchoudh, don’t kid yourselves, the ___ face thing is far, far older than Tropic Thunder or Angelina Jolie. (I know you know that, I just like repeating it.) And I think that yellowface at this point is more common than blackface– or, like this movie and 21, not even bothering with the ‘tan’ and erasing the people of color from the narrative altogether.

    I’m still sending my letter (I was one of the people who got letters returned). And I mean it– if this movie goes ahead, not one dime spent on Avatar, not even on the beloved cartoon.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 2:49 pm ¶

47. uu wrote:

    You know what guys??! I think it is time for a director to step up to this mess.

    I want to call out any director to make a live-action Avatar: the last air bender movie using asian ethnic characters just like the show’s intention and have a Live-Action AVATAR movie SHOWDOWN campaign. Where both movies are stacked against each other in representing the idea of the show and story line.

    I think that would be kick-ass.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 3:21 pm ¶

48. Kaonashi wrote:

    The fact that M. Shyamalan let this go down makes me want to kick him in the head.

    I’ll continue to watch Avatar. I’m not spending one penny on this movie. Fans of AV are pissed as hell about this cast, and they aren’t all Asian people either.

    I think people are geting sick of this sort of thing in general. :/

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 4:52 pm ¶

49. DFM wrote:

    Persia, please don’t take out your anger on the animated Avatar series.

    Mike & Bryan must be terribly insulted by how their baby is being handled by Hollywood.

    Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 8:35 pm ¶

50. Stacy wrote:

    I love this series and still watch the re-runs. I did think about how awesome this show would be if it turned into a movie so I was excited to hear that they were making a film out of it.
    But to hear that the actors who are playing these characters are going to be white is sad and disappointing. The show is clearly an asian themed show so why not hire people of asian descent to play these characters. Are there really no asian actors out there in Hollywood? I mean come on Jesse McCartney is signed on to play Zuko! Are you serious?!
    And the other thing that bothers me is the fact that these white actors take these jobs without considering the racial factor. But I guess some caucasians just have that luxury of not having to think about race.
    I will not be seeing this movie, but I feel that parents will take their kids so there has to be a serious protest and we must let it be known why there is a protest.

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 1:33 am ¶

51. driventorrent wrote:

    Man, I just wanna see M. Night Shyamalan implode over this !

    Seriously, he should just drop this altogether, and do that Unbreakable 2 film. This is becoming more and more a ‘ career killing ‘ thing by the minute. People are not just gonna be mocking him for ‘ the twist ‘, I’ll give ya that.
    And he’s an ASIAN AMERICAN himself, to begin with, so that’s not looking too damn well

    His insipid, myopic turns of late is probably the reason why this ain’t inspiring too much heated talkback on things like ‘ aintitcool.com’. Post- Sixth Sense ( or even Signs, Dear Crap ), this matter – and that stupid ‘ tanning ‘ blurb, would have shot up to Time magazine, front page. Yet his groggy decisions and ruthless ego trampling down moviegoers has only been making people wish he would fail, and just burn. They know this shit’s is gonna go wrong; and they’re only piqued by the oncoming wreckage.

    But NO ONE imagined it would go THIS wrong ! Not even in their rightest of minds.
    Which will only make this fucking ‘ Fourth of July’ !!!!

    This is all about a self-absorbed douchebag squeezing the last bit of his ( unearned ) mileage in public. And then some.

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 4:16 am ¶

52. Bagelsan wrote:

    That actor sounds like he doesn’t actually realize Asians *exist*. Like, he doesn’t see how this is any different than playing some fantasy creature like a vampire or an elf. It’s very: “Well, it’s not like you could find a real one to do it (they’re just fictional yanno!), so I’ll just have to do my best! Lol!” Unbelievable.

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 2:50 pm ¶

53. FightthegoodFIght wrote:

    This protest is finally mentioned on aintitcool.com. Here is the link

    http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39863

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 3:18 pm ¶

54. chaoticdiva wrote:

    …like how Marlo Thomas and Mickey Rooney both played Asians back in the day? Like how African Queen Cleopatra was always portrayed as a white woman? How the Cubans in Scarface were portrayed by Italians and other non-Cuban actors with tans.

    Or should we mention how Hollywood has a way of “brightening” Latinos and light-skinned black women to make them look more ethnically ambiguous. How Beyonce looks white in her L’Oreal ads. How Eva Longoria has caramel skin without makeup, but looks pasty on screen.

    Yea, I have a f*cking problem. And so should they.

    By the way, isn’t M. Night Shyamalan a brown skinned Indian? Doesn’t that make him Asian?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Night_Shyamalan (there is a picture on the page of him)

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 4:12 pm ¶

55. Paris wrote:

    This is ridiculous!! You would think that m Night would have cast some asian actors, but then again maybe he has issues with being Asian himself. I have no idea what is wrong with people today. The movie will do very well with an all asian cast in my opinions. it will appeal those those who are fans os the show regardless of color. People who have watched this show endlessly, like myself, will most definitely prevent people don’t know. Unless a casting change is made quickly, this movie is going to be a flop.

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 4:39 pm ¶

56. Lxy wrote:

    Another minor question:

    Why does Mr. Shyamalan go by the name “M. Night” when his real name is “Manoj Nelliyattu”?

    Maybe, he should just go whole hog and change his last name to Smith also.

    M. Night Smith directing a Whitefied version of _Avatar_.

    Coming soon to a theater near you.

    Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 11:46 pm ¶

57. Reuben wrote:

    Hey,

    Let’s not just send letters. I’m emailing people at CNN and Fox News and other news outlets to get this story some more press. We need to contact the media centers so everyone understands that this yellow face is not acceptable and is outrageous.

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 2:50 am ¶

58. steven logas wrote:

    wow, what a disappointment, the show is great, but i doubt i will be seeing this, not only is the fact that they casted no asians a disgrace, the white people are horrible for their roles, i mean, really, jesse mccartney as zuko, that is ridiculous…

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 4:12 am ¶

59. Restructure! wrote:

    pull my hair up

    What does this mean?

    Some girls wear tight ponytails or have their hair pulled back tightly so that the outer corners of their eyes are pulled back and their eyes look almond-shaped.

    Is this what he’s talking about?

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 8:49 am ¶

60. ArtHermit wrote:

    Restructure: While I agree that Rathbone’s awareness of the issues involved in this role is completely and appallingly lacking, I’m pretty sure the “pull my hair up” just refers to the fact that the character Sokka wears his hair in a high ponytail.

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 11:40 am ¶

61. Tasha wrote:

    Yep, won’t be seeing it

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 5:12 pm ¶

62. ArtHermit wrote:

    Also, totally will not be seeing it and will be telling those around me not to either.

    Such a good show… such a shitty decision on the part of the filmmakers.

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 7:49 pm ¶

63. yesand... wrote:

    Patience, grasshopper…

    white man always play asian hero

    Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 8:23 pm ¶

64. heyhey wrote:

    This is a shame, because “Avatar” is very well written and engaging, even for those outside of the target demographic. And I always appreciated how the characters were varied analogs to the various “asian” nations, and not in a superficial way. Kinda missed out on a great opportunity to bring that to the screen, but honestly? When I found out M. Night was attached my hopes already were lowered. The Happening? Not happening.

    @Arturo: WAAAAAIT a damn minute. Keanu? As Spike? Are you joking? Back in the day I thought he’d be perfect (as I never saw Spiku as asian, necessarily).

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 3:11 am ¶

65. gatamala wrote:

    Tan (or paint)+ scotch tape + real Asians in the BACKground = Fu Manchu movie (c. 1942)

    They did this with Myrna Loy.

    I agree with 40’s link (derek kim). The rest of us have to speak on this.

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 10:41 am ¶

66. Alex wrote:

    I find it ironic that people are really upset about White people being cast for this movie, yet almost all of the characters look Caucasian or have Caucasian features (big round eyes, very small noses, etc). I would have never thought they’re representing Asians (except of course because of their names, clothing, etc.) Forgive me, but I think Asian people should be upset about this cartoon depicting Asian characters, yet none of them look Asian. Is it a common trend with Asian cartoons? Why is it OK to have Caucasian features? What’s wrong with having Asian features??

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 12:59 pm ¶

67. Lisa J wrote:

    @gatamala, I agree, I saw this documentary about how America became the way it is today and on the section specifically about Chinese Americans they showed a clip of some white guys in horrible makeup singing a song about Chinatown, with some real Asian women dancing in front of them for part of it. It was supposed to be funny, but it was really bad. Seems like this is a broader version of the same thng, especially since they are looking for Asians for a film based on somethng that is “not Asian” So dumb.

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 1:26 pm ¶

68. Lisa J wrote:

    meant to say ” … they are looking for Asian extras but no Asians as stars for a film…”

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 1:28 pm ¶

69. Daomadan wrote:

    Alex: They don’t look white to me.

    For more on “Why White People Think Manga/Anime Characters are White” read this: http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2009/01/03/why-white-people-think-manga-characters-are-white/

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 5:06 pm ¶

70. Daomadan wrote:

    And as an add-on. I’m not implying you’re white, Alex, but that the way we view these characters has a lot to do with our own backgrounds and the development and evolution of manga/anime characters.

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 6:04 pm ¶

71. theboxman wrote:

    It strikes me as odd that there still exists this association that big anime eyes and small noses = white. I mean, no actual white person has eyes the size of animated characters either, and when you think about it, if you take the size of the eyes of a random actual white person and a random actual East Asian person, they would be a lot closer in size to each other than either would be to your average animated character.

    Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 9:59 pm ¶

72. Westerly wrote:

    @ Alex: Correction – none of the characters look Asian *to you.* I won’t deny that there are some problematic aspects to the portrayal of race in anime (my blood still boils everytime I lay eyes on freakin’ Popo of DBZ fane. I didn’t realise that Djinn’s were supposed to look remarkably like something out of a ‘little black sambo poster’…)

    Still, with all that said, I’m aware that anime has its own set of conventions when it comes to conveying whites – i.e. if a character has a sizeable nose, is hairy with wild hair and is noticeably taller than everyone else, than chances are they’re the ‘white guy.’ By contrast an extremely small nose, big eyes, pale skin and petite physique is *their* representational default.

    I look at Aang – he’s tiny, bald-headed, flat-noses, wide-eyed and looks like a Shaolin monk to me. I certainly don’t see anything remotely Caucasian about him. White people don’t have an exclusive genetic (or artisitc) patent on wide, big eyes, ‘coloured’ eyes, or pale skin even though it seems that at least some of them assume that they do.

    But then, I’ve come to realise that white people are highly skilled at ’seeing’ themselves here, there and everywhere – even in pagodas and hanboks with chopsticks in their hands, writing Asian calligraphy…

    Is it really that painful for some people to confront the very notion that characters with names like Zuko, Suki,Aang and Toph Bei Fong for God’s sake are *gasp* Asian. It doesn’t even make any sense to argue that the entire Avataar universe could be Asian inspired but that *somehow* the people in that universe would all be miraculously white. (In that case, where did this screamingly Eastern culture come from?)

    Next you’ll be having an Egyptian culture with a white Cleopatra sitting on a throne, or an anglo Jesus wandering around in the Middle East… oh wait.

    You’d have to perform some amazing psychic gymnastics in order to twist your mind around into thinking that Asian word= white people is even remotely logical.

    Well… this controversy has recently led me to the animated series – which I genuinely enjoy. But since I already avoid Hollywood movies like the plague then the only real protest I could make is by showing some solidarity with the letter writing campaign. Otherwise, this is just another case of “Oh Goody. Yet another one of their crappy movies to thoroughly stonewall like I always do.”

    Not that it matters – Holywood may be thriving, but not because of people like me.

    Posted 27 Jan 2009 at 12:16 am ¶

73. theboxman wrote:

    The fact that the casting calls for extras implicitly seek Asian actors suggests that at stake here is not that the casting people thought animated characters look white, but rather they recognize that they are Asian and yet nevertheless opted to cast white for the primary protagonists. Nothing more than your friendly neighborhood yellowface then.

    Posted 27 Jan 2009 at 8:13 am ¶

74. bdsista wrote:

    Don’t forget to write to the sponsors and advertisers affiliated with the film. That’s how Rap City finally got pulled from BET (Black Exploitation Television).

    Posted 28 Jan 2009 at 2:10 pm ¶

75. Bagelsan wrote:

    I won’t deny that there are some problematic aspects to the portrayal of race in anime (my blood still boils everytime I lay eyes on freakin’ Popo of DBZ fane. I didn’t realise that Djinn’s were supposed to look remarkably like something out of a ‘little black sambo poster’…

    Sorry, just have to do my usual rendition of Black-Lagoon-is-the-awesome-ist; it has the best racial diversity I’ve ever seen in an anime, and maybe even the best I’ve seen in any movie or show. They even have black people that look like, yanno, people!!1!one :p (Main characters: Japanese business man, Chinese-American woman, Jewish guy, black guy from I-don’t-know-where. The show pokes fun at a lot of groups, but mostly those groups are Japanese and American; there is the requisite heavily-armed-idiot-in-a-cowboy-hat American, of course. :p)

    Posted 29 Jan 2009 at 1:42 am ¶

76. Mia wrote:

    wow. It’s funny, because everyone is forgetting that there is a perfect actor who could portray Sokka, who’s Native American, and starred in Twilight with this boy! Taylor Lautner was my ideal Sokka, and that someone so dismissing of obvious racial issues was chosen instead of Taylor disgusts me!

    Posted 01 Feb 2009 at 4:17 pm ¶

77. Kwesi K. wrote:

    Bagelsan, I see your Black Lagoon and raise you one Cowboy Bebop and one Michiko to Hatchin.

    Posted 02 Feb 2009 at 4:18 am ¶

78. Kwesi K. wrote:

    Squeeky wheek gets the oil. Dev Patel is Zuko…

    http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/02/01/slumdog-millionaire-star-joins-the-last-airbender/

    Posted 02 Feb 2009 at 4:31 am ¶

79. Taylor L. wrote:

    Sunnuva B!TCH…..

    As I was reading this, my temper was rising.

    WHY go through the effort of PRETENDING to be Asian person, when you could hire a REAL Asian person!?!

    Sokka (and plenty other characters in the cartoon) have a dark complexion, yes, and I know that people of Asian descent come in all sorts of colors like black people do.

    Sooo…problem solved right? WRONG?

    Dx

    As a huge fan of Avatar, I was soooo anxious to see ASIAN PEOPLE on the silver screen, as I’ve always been disappointed to see them so rarely in the American entertainment industry.

    It’s even more shameful, that M Night Shyamalan, a man of color himself, if allowing such a travesty to continue.

    Posted 14 Feb 2009 at 9:03 pm ¶

80. cytoken wrote:

    Oh yeah,
    The Persian Prince of Persia is going to be played by Jake Gyllenhaal.
    It never ends.

    Posted 16 May 2009 at 11:22 pm ¶

81. Sokka No Whitey wrote:

    i am so pissed at the twilight guy, what’s his face. how nsensitive can you get?! obviously, he only cares about the money. jerk.

    Posted 30 May 2009 at 11:50 pm ¶

82. Pecunia wrote:

    I love the cartoon but because they white-washed the cast, there’s no way I’m watching the movie.

    Posted 17 Aug 2009 at 4:38 pm ¶

83. Chase wrote:

    First Prince of Persia with Jake Gyllenhall, then DBZ w/ White Goku and friends, and now this… I’m not white, but even if I was I’m sure I’d be pissed by how badly Hollywood is ripping off america by stripping films of their rich and culturally authentic backgrounds…

    Posted 21 Aug 2009 at 1:59 pm ¶

84. Ugh wrote:

    This has once again prove that Hollywood does not want to see Asians on the big screen (or the small screen, for that matter). Oh wait, let me correct that. Hollywood wants to see Asians, but only if you are an attractive Asian female, and only if that character has a white male love interest.

    Posted 29 Sep 2009 at 3:08 am ¶