I was reading articles on race and the media and one really resonated with entitled “Yellow Face” in the theatre and movie industry. It is true that “Black Face” gets most of the historical attention but there are many other ethnic groups that have been portrayed and misrepresented by whites on screen and onstage.
Having studied media in many of my classes I was aware of “Yellow Face” and other ethnic groups played by white people. But this article was very informative because many people do not know anything outside of “Black Face”, but there are many other ethnic groups that have been portrayed on screen or onstage just as bad as African Americans.
The most shocking thing about the article is the fact that early in American history white actors played Asians and they played better Asians than did actual Asians! That was just astounding to me because at that time many people did not really have any experience interacting with Asians, so all the populace had to go on is the white actors portrayal of Asians in a stereotypical manner. So in essence the Asian community was at a disadvantage when they came to America because there were stereotypes already in place before they ever stepped on American soil.
That is just appalling to me, because before a person enters a country a stereotype precedes him or her and they are suppose to fit in a mold that is inaccurate but expected. The directors and producers give the excuse that there are not enough qualified Asian actors to receive the lead Asian roles, but the only way to get the appropriate qualifications is to act! Now, this maybe just my sentiment towards the issue, but I would rather have an unqualified but accurate ethnic background play an Asian role than to have a white person play the role or have the wrong Asian ethnicity play the role, such was the case in Memoirs of a Geisha. Not only is it an insult to the particular ethnic group that is portrayed in the movie but it perpetuates the stereotypes that Asians are all the same and look alike and its time we as a society break that age old stereotype and give respect to all Asian countries.
Tags: Black-Face, diversity, media, Yellow-Face
