The historical racism and under-representation of ethnic minorities in Hollywood films, particularly towards East Asians, is discussed. The most egregious practice is yellowface, where white actors portray East Asian characters, often justified by those in power as being more mainstream and acceptable to conservative audiences. Big-name stars, including Paul Muni, Katharine Hepburn, and Mickey Rooney, have been involved in yellowfacing, perpetuating harmful East Asian caricatures. This has hindered opportunities for East Asian actors, such as Sessue Hayakawa and Anna May Wong, and exacerbated the problem. The softening of racism began in the post-WWII era and grew stronger in the 1960s with the civil rights movement.
Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood
The film explores the previously unknown history of anti-Asian racism and yellowface in Hollywood, shedding light on the experiences of Asian Americans and the perpetuation of hurtful stereotypes in the film industry following the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.
