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AIBU?

Yellow face in a children’s play!

93 replies

Hypotenuse · 09/02/2018 20:29

I’ve named changed to an old name, I imagine this is quite identifying as I can’t believe anyone else would be this stupid in this day and age!

My daughter is in a small production company, for children, run by the local community. She’s been it in for years, they’ve put on great productions and she enjoys it.
I’m writing this in the interval of their latest show, which I’d not seen a script for or heard much about as she’s mostly learning backstage things this time and just doing the odd dance number. I am horrified at what I am watching. The play is set in Shanghai and everyone is called ping pong wong, or chow mien, or emperor peaking duck... one adult in the play is there as a comedy idea, in yellow face, and only says stereotypical Chinese words, or items from the menu of a Chinese restaurant and ends everything with a bow and ‘yum yum’.

I am so upset my child is a part of this, I had no idea, they’ve not done anything like this before! It’s all been Cinderella or Snow White, cutesy things!

My question is, WIBU to refuse to allow her to partake in the show again tomorrow night and withdraw her? I’m friends with a lot of the people running it so I will probably lose a lot of friends if I tell the truth as to why, but I could lie and say she’s ill and then that she’s growing out of it so won’t come back. Or should I tell the truth? The right thing is to tell the truth isn’t it?

OP posts:

Report

Sarahjconnor · 09/02/2018 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

steff13 · 09/02/2018 22:06

Yikes. Yeah, I wouldn't let her do it.

I'm only familiar with the Disney Aladdin (I didn't realize that Aladdin in the original story was Chinese) are they following an "official" script? It's hard to imagine the real script would have names like Ping Pong Wong.

TakeMe2Insanity · 09/02/2018 22:06

You absolutely remove her but you absolutely must tell them why and tell them it is unacceptable. People have to deal with the consequences of racism on a daily basis. Productions like this propogate views that are racist.

youngnomore · 09/02/2018 22:07

What’s a racist Rasta hat ?

MsHarry · 09/02/2018 22:09

What is the show? Title?

WillSheBeMyLast · 09/02/2018 22:11

You absolutely remove her but you absolutely must tell them why and tell them it is unacceptable. People have to deal with the consequences of racism on a daily basis. Productions like this propogate views that are racist.

Absolutely this. Take her out during the interval and make a massive point.

MyKingdomForBrie · 09/02/2018 22:14

Gosh I’m amazed this kind of stuff still goes on! YAcompletelyNBU

Estellanpip · 09/02/2018 22:27

Chuffing hell! How are they getting away with this?

nellly · 09/02/2018 22:28

@MsHarry she's already said! It's Aladin. I remember going to pantomime as a small child around 30 years ago and it was a bit like this, I only realised years later the connotations, at the time i just enjoyed the panto.

Wouldn't have expected to still see this in 2018
Feel sorry for you op you may end up looking like the bad guy to your dd. I'm really surprised others haven't complained!

VodkaRB · 09/02/2018 22:37

My daughter is half Chinese and I am disgusted that this type of thing goes on today. I’m very lax about stuff and am not even massively concerned about the C word I this day and age. But this seems like blatant racism
Disgusting. Take your daughter out.

RidingWindhorses · 09/02/2018 22:39

I would pull her from the performance tomorrow. I don't think she necessarily needs to leave the production company yet. You go see the people who run and it and tell them it must never happen again. That if word got out to the local press it would shame the company and the whole area.

If they don't get it, you would sadly have no choice but to leave.

MsHarry · 09/02/2018 22:39

Oh sorry I missed that, why not say in the OP? Why are they not following the script? Making up names and the face paint is really not on!

mommytoboo86 · 09/02/2018 23:32

why were u still sitting there watching?? u should have stood up ready for the break and grabbed her as quickly as possible. that is disgusting

Rollercoaster1920 · 09/02/2018 23:39

I'm really disappointed. I thought it was going to be a Lego head in the show somehow.

Hypotenuse · 09/02/2018 23:50

We’ve discussed it, she’s not going tomorrow and I’m emailing to explain why.

OP posts:

Leiaorganashair · 09/02/2018 23:59

I am East Asian. My child is half East Asian half white European, but is frequently taken to be 100% white.

This shit makes me glad. It is bloody offensive and it's still worrying acceptable.

Leiaorganashair · 10/02/2018 00:05

Well done OP It might be a big for her now, but she's young. There will be other opportunities. This will be a tiny part of her childhood by the time she's grown up, much better to stick to your principles. You sound like a brilliant mum.

ReanimatedSGB · 10/02/2018 00:14

It's perfectly possible to put on Aladdin without this sort of crass stupidity, as well. Don't know if they got hold of some 1950s script or some unimaginative local (perhaps someone who is getting on a bit) wrote it specially.

splatattack · 10/02/2018 00:19

Aladdin wasn't Chinese...I'm confused...

Leiaorganashair · 10/02/2018 00:24

splat the original Aladdin story is set in China. Disney has a lot to answer for.

tumpymummy · 10/02/2018 01:02

I am amazed that such blatant racism hasn't been mentioned to the production company already. Do all the adults involved in it not realise how inappropriate this is? Absolutely take your daughter out and tell the production company why. Your daughter may be young and upset now but in years to come she will understand why. Would be interested to know what they say when you tell them she won't be in it again. No one would dare black up someone's face nowadays so why is it okay to use yellow?!

KeepServingTheDrinks · 10/02/2018 01:04

Well done for your actions. I totally agree you've done the right thing.

I fear this might get taken up by the dreaded Fail.

If they respond, will you update us?

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splatattack · 10/02/2018 07:48

Ahhh, thank you!!

TheHungryDonkey · 10/02/2018 08:17

I saw a Qdos Aladdin at Christmas and apart from two jokes that I cringed at it was racially very careful. Nothing like this at all. This is awful. Tell them why.

Clem7 · 10/02/2018 08:33

Absolutely disgusting. How on earth did his make it on to the stage? Well done for removing your child, OP. How many more nights of this are they doing??

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