After Decades of Brownface, South Asians Fight for Better Representation | National Geographic

South Asian Americans are expanding on the success of their immigrant parents, creating a blended cultural identity—and turning the tables on old stereotypes. In recent movies and on television, there’s been an increase in diversity and representation, but it wasn’t always like that. This short video explores how we got from white people in brownface to authentic storytelling and also examines stereotypes that still linger on.

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This story is part of Diversity in America, a National Geographic series covering racial, ethnic, and religious groups and examining their changing roles in 21st-century life. Tell us your story with #IDefineMe.

After Decades of Brownface, South Asians Fight for Better Representation | National Geographic

National Geographic

[NatGeo]

What are your thoughts on the state of South Asian representation in movies and television?

[LHGaming]

South Asia is not only India but bangladesh, pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
But for ignorant Americans everyone from subcontinent is indian

[jasminelee]

i kinda hate the fact im so insecure about my literal ethnicity. im half nepalese, and i just feel like no one speaks up about racism towards south asia like blm, but just ignore us instead. i lie about my race whenever people ask, saying im from somewhere else in asia like the philippines or something. i just want to feel like people like us, and dont see us as fat hairy smelly weirdos because thats not true.

[burntcookieswithlove]

and to all of you calling us indians separate from Asian, learn geography. EVERY CITIZEN OF ASIAN COUNTRIES IS AN ASIAN

[uzzaaair]

India doesn't represent whole South Asian!

[BlackDog]

The Simpsons is literally 100% stereotypes.

[aaronwilson]

I love how many people here clearly didn't watch the video and only commented because Apu was in the picture.

[bobsquare]

Homer is a drunk bad husband so let’s talk about stereotypes

[mustavogaia]

Not sure if Nat Geo is the best ont to point fingers ai it, after a century of banking on "exotic" places and peoples.

[joewilson]

I thought this was National Geographic video, I suppose I accidentally clicked buzzfeed or vox?

[william_]

Pretty sure every Simpsons character plays on a stereotype... isn't that the whole point? Lighten up.

[ugnug]

Lol I'm Indian, and I think we are fine lol. Focus on more important stuff. I don't think we need to be focused on, police shooting(police officers getting shot and the other way around) are way more important than apu.

[ravkaur]

Now let’s talk about the whitewashing in Bollywood films and soap operas

[SinoCortez]

I wonder why this same kind of energy isn't directed at Willie. I mean he's a stereotype of a Scottish person. Oh wait, I know why.

[aadyasharma]

This reminds me of when the live action Aladdin almost made the actors and actresses do brown face 💀

[MinecraftVearatThemePlay]

One of the most common stereotypes that i get all the time as a Sri Lankan, is:
“Hey, are you Indian?”
I mean come on India is not the only south Asian country.

[jimmywork]

We should just quit making movies so we don't offend anyone

[bySaverio]

Like/dislike ratio is going to be the worst ever recorded on National Geographic channel.

[goldwolf]

All non whites go through the same thing.

[gunner]

"We lost 19 of our best guys" lmao