The past few weeks have yielded a great deal of conversation surrounding Asians in media — or, rather, a lack thereof. “Hellboy” was gearing up to be yet another film with a Whitewashed character, complete with an overtly insensitive producer at the helm, when, to everyone’s surprise, actor Ed Skrein stepped down from the role of Japanese-American Major Ben Daimio.
Asian-Americans rejoiced at the news, a victory against Hollywood’s standard M.O. of Whitewashing Asian characters to make them more palatable for White audiences. And while there’s no word on who will play Daimio yet, the firm behind “Hellboy”, Lionsgate, promised that they “will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material.”
The conversation surrounding the casting decision did not end there; as it was a part of a larger discussion on Whitewashing, there has been a lot of research done on the topic that came forth, seemingly more relevant with the “Hellboy” news. This became evident when Paste Magazine wrote a piece on Whitewashing, bias, and just how devastating the effects Hollywood’s casting choices have had on stereotypes and society.
The article quoted a passage from Nancy Wang Yuen‘s book, “Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism”, and her discovery about the perceptions casting directors have regarding Asians and their facial expressions was shocking:
“I work with a lot of different people, and Asians are a challenge to cast because most casting directors feel as though they’re not very expressive,” one other casting director told Yuen. “They’re very shut down in their emotions … If it’s a look thing for business where they come in they’re at a computer or if they’re like a scientist or something like that, they’ll do that; but if it’s something were they really have to act and get some kind of performance out of, it’s a challenge.”
Naturally, this caused fury within the Twittersphere — one Twitter user, Maurene Goo (@mauxbot), decided to take matters into her own hands with one very direct expression:
Can we start #ExpressiveAsians? pic.twitter.com/PlwnNuxuBQ
— Maurene Goo (@mauxbot) September 8, 2017
Thus, the hashtag #ExpressiveAsians was born, going viral in an instant and prompting netizens everywhere to showcase just how expressive Asians actually are.
Me finding out why #ExpressiveAsians became a thing. pic.twitter.com/zRnB5itQdm
— Tim Kimber (@Tim_Kimber) September 9, 2017
I guess no American casting directors have ever seen a K-Pop video. #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/ytC1RovE87
— Michael Wiegand (@mwiegand) September 9, 2017
#ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/YM9Ls6BCl9
— Imagine 2.0 (@ImagineEmmaJun) September 9, 2017
#ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/IG1rAPYujb
— i’m in like w gifs (@edamame_mami) September 9, 2017
“Asians are a challenge to cast because most casting directors feel as though they’re not very expressive…” #expressiveasians pic.twitter.com/4i7jJz82ZE
— Gym Leader Heather (@heatherjrock) September 9, 2017
She didn’t need words… She had faces… #AnnaMayWong #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/ayLdovShsQ
— Mary Fan 🐉🎻🚀 (@AstralColt) September 9, 2017
He had the most incredible screen presence, and could convey so much with his body language and nuanced gestures. #expressiveasians pic.twitter.com/9ZKXZ7XCXU
— Casey Explosion (@CaseyExplosion) September 9, 2017
and this #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/DzCaTbVODt
— vi [] (@yoonmindad) September 9, 2017
Me after seeing the news that I’m genetically predisposed to not know how to express emotion. #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/JcDfyodZRq
— jordan (@_huayang) September 9, 2017
@helpmeskeletor #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/1oNEQh9bB5
— Mitch Polley (@Designadrug) September 9, 2017
When you search “Asian” in GIF section, you can see tons of gifs like this. So what about now? #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/IpZXe1FKPP
— ♀️ 뫄 몽 ♂️ (@trancemong) September 9, 2017
TFW the director has REAL FUCKING ARROWS shot at you. #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/bBVvKZhl4H
— Friginator (@Friginator) September 9, 2017
I got more #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/a11MI7DAte
— 부자가 되고싶은 뮤티카 (@muetika107) September 9, 2017
Min-Sik Choi is one of the best known actors in South Korea, his tortured performance in Oldboy was incredible #expressiveasians pic.twitter.com/fD8ZxEnM6G
— Casey Explosion (@CaseyExplosion) September 9, 2017
I’m just so full of salt y’all. So here’s another Park Bogum cry GIF #expressiveasians pic.twitter.com/vNQAJj80hi
— Kat Cho (@KatCho) September 9, 2017
you deserve to be kimchi slapped. #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/0V3avrO9BY
— – ̗̀ ❀ 心碎 ❀ ̖́- (@t_SU_nami) September 9, 2017
#ExpressiveAsians 😬 pic.twitter.com/s8k90wXBdx
— dashie (@dashdidntdoit) September 9, 2017
“asians aren’t really expressive” really?? right in front of my starbucks?? #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/IOHw9xhGpz
— َ (@lavelyday) September 9, 2017
Dont think i need to mention how expressive Indians can be? I mean come on #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/VXnnzQ1Mtc
— VOLCANO ARSCHGEWEIH (@kimmouto) September 9, 2017
“Asians are a challenge to cast because most casting directors feel as though they’re not very expressive…” #ExpressiveAsians pic.twitter.com/TdiCQFM5ot
— Gym Leader Heather (@heatherjrock) September 9, 2017
Hollywood aside, the ramifications behind stereotyping Asians as expressionless have been used in far more sinister contexts; saying that Asians weren’t expressive was actually a method used to dehumanize them during World War II.
Fun fact: An ambitious CA Attorney General used this exact stereotype to stoke xenophobic fears after Pearl Harbor, furthering his career. https://t.co/g3URK7h3rr
— M.Fieriosa (@GeekMelange) September 9, 2017
This was done in an effort to ensure that Americans (see: Whites) viewed the Japanese as enemies, and this sentiment carried on throughout the Korean and Vietnam wars. By that time, the stereotype had firmly taken root, and its effects can clearly be seen in modern society — one manner being the casting choices Hollywood makes to this day.
Although the battle to end Whitewashing and promote Asians in media is a long and arduous one, Hollywood appears to finally be listening. Skrein stepping down from the role of Ben Daimio has left Hollywood without any excuse to cast an actor of Asian descent as the major; now, with the #ExpressiveAsians hashtag, perhaps casting directors will see just how expressive Asians truly are and give them the roles they were meant to play.
Feature image via Twitter / mauxbot