The Hollywood Reporter article from yesterday is echoing in my mind, demanding I do something.
Itâs not enough for me to say that critic had an outlying opinion on Hudson Williams performance. Even if I could be generous to say that their comments werenât deliberately racist (though it seemed to be intentionally elevating the two white members of the cast), it was like reading a 5 alarm micro-aggression fire.
This was active erasure.ïżŒ
(I do not want to speculate on the mediaâs apparent obsession with photographing and writing about two of the stars who live in LA.) This is not about anyone other than the reporter (as well as the British Vogue articleâs insinuations, tabloid sites, etc) writing a piece to actively decentre Hudson as one of two *LEADS* of HR. No matter whose agenda is it to say otherwise, Hudson is *half* of the equation that makes the relationship of Shane/Ilya what it is.
Without Hudsonâs portrayal of Shane, we would have lost the entire foundation of the show. We also would have lost a carefully crafted portrayal of autism. If we are looking at being true to the source material, Shane is the person Ilya falls in love with.
Parasocial narratives (of who deserves recognition while others are pushed aside) and media interests cannot be used as an âexcuseâ or ârationaleâ to ignore these reoccurring clear signs of racism in the entertainment industry. To continue to uphold a frankly unacceptable attitude of celebrity media outlets towards visible minorities is beyond appalling.
Real, living breathing issues like ongoing racism cannot be brushed aside as âa Twitter overreactionâ or âcritics just say whatever they want. Ignore them.â
Racism, like homophobia and mysogeny, exists. And just because some donât want to talk about it, doesnât mean nuances to situations arenât there.
The answer is no. Real people are out here living this reality everyday. It is the epitome of white privilege to ignore it and remain silent when one can plainly see examples of exclusion and hate.
Peopleâs identities, appearances, cultural experiences are *not* fodder to ârage-baitâ with. Nor are they material to push an uncomfirmed real- life romance agenda. Or gossip or whatever it is thatâs going on.
Exclusion to elevate white actors bc âit sells magazinesâ is racism. (This has zero to do with anyoneâs performance other than Hudsonâs)
Maybe my voice is a drop in a trillion litre ocean, but as a spouse to a Chinese-Canadian who grew up with overt racism being directed toward them and an immediate family + extended family blending many different nationalities and cultures, itâs not acceptable to stay silent.
The other cast and crew have largely (not all, but most) remained silent and I do not understand the inner workings of the industry enough to justify or criticize that silence.
For myself, I know that speaking out or remaining silent is a daily decision when articles and social media comments from publications continue to be written.
The media needs to do better. The fans need to use their greatest powerâtheir moneyâto demand better from production/media teams and outlets.
The viewers and fans are the ones who need to be loud (as many have all over sm) and hold industry professionals and media to account.ïżŒ
