Chinese/ East Asian equality possibly in sight...

Paul Courtenay Hyu · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 17

I posted a topic late last year about the lack of fair representation of East Asian / British Chinese in UK media / theatre and it was old news, in many ways. So what? What can anyone do about it? Hmmm typical Chinese conservatism. That's the way it is etc. Things are actually happening, however and moving, albeit slowly.

I was recently elected to the Minority Ethnic Members committee of the actor's union, Equity. It appears that this observation (unfair treatment and under representation) has not gone un-noticed by the powers that be - though nobody knows what to do about it. You could say it is an equal opportunities "Elephant in the room". The fact there is no organised lobby except a Facebook group and a couple of uninspiring individuals means we are in the same situation we were in 20 years ago, when positive discrimination policies benefited black and Asian performers, to the detriment of performers from East Asia / China. It is entirely unremarkable to now see a black or Asian character in a soap opera, Shakespeare on stage (it wasn't so in 1992) yet when a Chinese or East Asian character appears, there seems to be a mitigating reason required. And it is not uncommon, even then, for the depiction to be racist in its inception.

I have managed to get Equity, to start a process looking into this "elephant". And they are taking it very seriously. Which is great. Equity will be coordinating and leading an initiative to start addressing the whole issue of inequity regarding British Chinese/East Asians in TV / theatre formally with the Federation of Entertainment Unions, which includes BECTU, NUJ, Musician's Union, Writer's Guild and Professional Footballer's Association. The process starts in May 2012 and is the 1st real step forward on this issue that I am aware of in the UK's history.

My reason for posting here is not only to share this progress with you all - but to ask your input. If anyone has any suggestions as to how we can achieve the goal of getting more faces like ours depicted in a positive manner in UK media (and may I, controversially perhaps, suggest that a FaceBook Group, or an online petition is not how it will happen) please post them here or message me privately. This could be the start of a serious sea-change in attitudes. I am hopeful. Thank you.

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