An article entitled “Protesters oppose ‘whitewashing’ in new Shyamalan film,” 
published on January 29, 2009, by The Daily Pennsylvanian states, “In the world of acting, not all colors are created equal—or at least that’s how many people feel when ethnic roles are ‘whitewashed,’ or cast with white actors. Casting for extras in M. Night Shyamalan’s Avatar: The Last Airbender took place last Saturday at the Spectrum, where protesters accused casting
Zade Rosenthal, Paramount Pictures officials of such discrimination.”
The same problem is explored in Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story, a picture book biography of Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American movie star. Although Anna May’s struggles to become an actor occurred in the 1930s, many of the obstacles she faced continue to plague Asian American actors, and other actors of color, today.
