What's your type?
What's your type?
If you’re black, get back.
If you’re brown, stick around.
If you’re yellow, you must be mellow.
If you’re white, you all right!
Seeking: African American Actor, friendly, but not too
dark
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In an age of plastic surgery, and hair extensions much can
be done to change one’s God given appearance. Want to be a little bit darker? Get
a tan. Want to be a little bit lighter? Bleach your skin. Want longer hair? Get
extensions. Want less Negro or Asian features? Get plastic surgery. Want more
Negro features? Get plastic surgery!
Wesley Snipes- Too dark |
If we’re living in a world where physical appearance can
be manufactured- why is the Acura commercial casting call such a big deal? And
in a commercial industry where so few jobs are available for so many actors-
maybe it would be wise to get bleached here, or pumped up there. After all, the
ad calls for Black, but not too dark. Hmm…Sounds possible- we’re only talking a
few shades right?
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At the core of our country’s problem with race is the belief
that there are characteristics suited to races because of physical factors.
Intelligence, Physical Stamina, even Morals- were attributed to skin color.
Along the color spectrum- lighter skin meant better, smarter, cleaner- darker skin meant bad, dirty, dumb. This was common knowledge
during slavery, and post slavery- but after legal segregation ended it became
socially unacceptable to say in public- but behind closed doors nothing changed.
Boris Kodjoe Too light |
For a long time, Blacks, Latinos, and Asians have had to fight to be seen as
humans-let alone artists. Our identity has been policed in many ways by federal segregation, and racist theories. The Bachelor- a dating
show- has never used non whites- and a lawsuit has been filed against the show. While it may seem like just a silly reality show, remember at one time it was forbidden for Black actors to be shown kissing, or embracing on Network television.
Denzel Washington- Just right |
But what some white actors don’t have to deal with- is when their
ethnicity and other unchangeable factors like skin color get in the way of
their casting.
The Color Spectrum
Here are a few actors who have been "typed" based on their racial background. Note: Frances Nuyen, like the beautiful Nancy Kwan experienced backlash because of their European genes. They were told many times their eyes were not authentic enough by Asians, yet their ethnic 'softening' (and undeniable talent) was what enabled them to break down doors and become crossover stars.
Too this, too that!
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The Color Spectrum
Here are a few actors who have been "typed" based on their racial background. Note: Frances Nuyen, like the beautiful Nancy Kwan experienced backlash because of their European genes. They were told many times their eyes were not authentic enough by Asians, yet their ethnic 'softening' (and undeniable talent) was what enabled them to break down doors and become crossover stars.
Too this, too that!
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Frances Nuyen, actress South Pacific, Flower Drum Song, Joy Luck Club French-Vietnamese Casting usually Asian (Japanese) sometimes "Islander" The great Juanita Hall, Actress Broadway, Hollywood Shown here in the Flower Drum Song Casting: Asian, 'Islander' African American African American Natalie Wood, West Side Story Casting: Puerto Rican Russian Thandie Newton Casting: British, African American, and most recently Nigerian British and Zimbabwean |
See an image of the casting call on www.thegrio.com
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/acura-commercial-casting-document-leaked-requesting-friendly-not-too-dark-african-american.php
And read about The Bachelor lawsuit
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/bachelor-diversity-lawsuit-may-bring-the-reality-series-down-to-earth.php
And read about The Bachelor lawsuit
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/bachelor-diversity-lawsuit-may-bring-the-reality-series-down-to-earth.php
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