A Conversation with Russell K. Robinson, Law Professor
“The challenge is to get people seeing this as a priority and people getting affected. People see it as entertainment, not as important, it’s only one industry-but one of the most influential industries.
"If you look at all the kids that watch films and TV, and don’t see themselves represented, it’s a concern we should take very seriously; not something that’s marginal. We can see Sasha and Malia in the White House, but we can’t see Asian kids playing the leads of this film.”
Last month, racebending.com asked you guys to submit questions for an interview with Russell K. Robinson, a law professor at UCLA who studies entertainment and anti-discrimination law. Blips from the conversation are now available at racebending.com
As someone who has previously researched Hollywood casting, how it works, and how it can discriminate, Professor Robinson was able to share his insights on how the casting of The Last Airbender might have come about, whether or not these casting practices are legal, how the industry works, etc.
RACEBENDING.COM: Does casting white actors to play ethnically Asian characters violate equal opportunity employment laws? (re: Casting breakdowns requesting for "Caucasian or any other ethnicity.)
PROFESSOR ROBINSON: That’s an interesting question under Title VII-whether it actually violates a statute. I would argue yes-and people could contest this-because you're supposedly hiring everyone, but mentioning one race. That is indicating a preference, and that is inequality...The Title VII case law is very clear in other contexts. You cannot say: "I am discriminating because it will help my business be more profitable."
RACEBENDING.COM: If an argument can be made that Hollywood is breaking employment discrimination laws, why does it go unchecked?
PROFESSOR ROBINSON: It just shows that the practice doesn’t match up with the law. And I think it’s because people aren’t challenging it and I hope we’ll have actors that actually sue and take that risk.
To read the complete interview, click here!
Also, please let us know what you think, if you have anyone you'd like for us to interview, or if there's anything else that you find striking. Thanks!
"If you look at all the kids that watch films and TV, and don’t see themselves represented, it’s a concern we should take very seriously; not something that’s marginal. We can see Sasha and Malia in the White House, but we can’t see Asian kids playing the leads of this film.”
Last month, racebending.com asked you guys to submit questions for an interview with Russell K. Robinson, a law professor at UCLA who studies entertainment and anti-discrimination law. Blips from the conversation are now available at racebending.com
As someone who has previously researched Hollywood casting, how it works, and how it can discriminate, Professor Robinson was able to share his insights on how the casting of The Last Airbender might have come about, whether or not these casting practices are legal, how the industry works, etc.
RACEBENDING.COM: Does casting white actors to play ethnically Asian characters violate equal opportunity employment laws? (re: Casting breakdowns requesting for "Caucasian or any other ethnicity.)
PROFESSOR ROBINSON: That’s an interesting question under Title VII-whether it actually violates a statute. I would argue yes-and people could contest this-because you're supposedly hiring everyone, but mentioning one race. That is indicating a preference, and that is inequality...The Title VII case law is very clear in other contexts. You cannot say: "I am discriminating because it will help my business be more profitable."
RACEBENDING.COM: If an argument can be made that Hollywood is breaking employment discrimination laws, why does it go unchecked?
PROFESSOR ROBINSON: It just shows that the practice doesn’t match up with the law. And I think it’s because people aren’t challenging it and I hope we’ll have actors that actually sue and take that risk.
To read the complete interview, click here!
Also, please let us know what you think, if you have anyone you'd like for us to interview, or if there's anything else that you find striking. Thanks!