As much as there is a wave of transformation, demanding no discrimination on the basis or religion, caste, race or region, it seems hard to diminish. In the recent times, we have seen a lot of movements taking shape online to fight discrimination in various fields from gender to religion and race. But the preferences of people looking a certain way do not seem to go just yet. Paladino Casting, a casting agency from New York was recently called out on Twitter for wanting people of Korean/Chinese descent but not having a monolid! Canadian Actor Simu Liu posted a screenshot of the casting preferences, calling out their clear discrimination for people with monolid. The tweet is now going viral. 'Check Your Privilege Challenge' Goes Viral on TikTok; Netizens Bring out the Grim Reality of Discrimination Against the Black Community Using 'Put a Finger Down' Questionaire Amid George Floyd Death Protests.
In a screenshot posted by Liu, there is a casting call for a 30 to 35-year-old Asian female and boys and Girls upto 3-6 years of Chinese or Korean descent. In both the cases, they mention "Eyes: Although almond-shaped, not too down turned eyes. No monolid." Other than this, they also mention of clean, white and pinky skin with no dots or circles! "Dear Paladino Casting, F**k you. Signed, A Proudly-Monolidded Asian," Liu conveyed the displeasure in his tweet caption. Coronavirus Scare Sparks Racism? Instances of Asians Getting Attacked and Mocked Go Viral on Social Media.
Here's The Tweet:
Dear Paladino Casting,
F**k you.
Signed,
A Proudly-Monolidded Asian pic.twitter.com/x0ifCM2ptq
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) October 10, 2020
The tweet is going viral for the very evident discrimination. But some people pointed out it could just be based on the requirement of their client and not the casting agency per se.
Here's How People Reacted:
Disgraceful
This is utterly disgraceful. It's like they want a Disney-fied version of an Asian person. OR someone with just enough Korean ancestry to meet the diversity need, and enough Euro in them for "pinky" skin and less chance of "monolid."
— A Stewart-Franklin (@THECookieCre8r) October 10, 2020
Entire Post is Sick
This entire casting post is making my skin crawl. Not just the eye part. Jesus.
— 2BRX2B (@OhMyDrlin) October 10, 2020
Non-Monolids Are Considered Superior
This may reflect problems in Asian culture itself, where non-mono eyelids (double lids?) and fair skin are considered superior traits. The prevalence of skin whitening products and eyelid surgeries in Asia is troubling.
— Soujo (@soujox) October 10, 2020
Demands of the Clients
I’m in no way excusing this horrible casting notice, but unfortunately I think this is what the Asian market wants. While visiting family in Korea, all the ads I saw had women with double eyelids (very common surgery) and very fair skin.
— Audrey Cain (@theAudreyCain) October 10, 2020
Wants of the Market
I’m in no way excusing this horrible casting notice, but unfortunately I think this is what the Asian market wants. While visiting family in Korea, all the ads I saw had women with double eyelids (very common surgery) and very fair skin.
— Audrey Cain (@theAudreyCain) October 10, 2020
Completely Racist
That company is racist. They want a white looking Asian so they should just have asked for someone half white and half Asian or a quarter Asian and three fourths white. Then they will get the the type of eyes and skin they desire—the white type.
— Hoofprintoftheox (@Hoofprintofthe1) October 10, 2020
What's With Dots and Circles
Also WTH do they mean by "No dots or circles"????
— Eugenia Revenge Bedtime Procrastination Beh (@ebeh) October 10, 2020
For those who were unaware of what is a monolid, it is an eyelid shape that doesn't have a crease. On the contrary, an eye that does have a crease is known as a double eyelid. Monolids are a typical facial feature of East Asian people. The fold or crease is called epicanthic fold, which is on the upper eyelid that makes it appear that there's no visible crease line below your brow area. The problem with this demand is that they want an East Asian person, but not the typical feature of the eye. It is a case of blatant racial discrimination.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2020 09:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).