Hollywood seems to be unable to comprehend that one should not take stories rooted in a non-Western culture and put a "spin" (sarcastic quotes here) on it by casting white actors. They've moved past the days of blatant yellow-face, but the casting of Scarlett Johansson in "Ghost in the Shell" is still problematic.

"Ghost in the Shell" is a story that embodies the social identity and history of Japanese culture. Large portions of the narrative discuss the conflict between America and Japan. With such significance placed on this struggle, it is contradictory and also confusing to cast someone of non-Japanese (or giving some leeway, non-Asian) descent. The prominence and poignancy of "Ghost in the Shell" could very much be lost.

Scarlett Johansson is a phenomenal actress. But is there truly no Japanese or Asian actress who could take her place, who could portray this narrative better? Just as the casting of Emma Stone as someone named Allison Ng, it's confusing and disconcerting to think about the number of talented Asian and Asian American actors and actresses who get pushed to the wayside because big production studios think that audiences would not be able to "relate" to someone not of their ethnicity. Just because the people cast are big names in the industry, like Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One in Marvel's upcoming "Doctor Strange," does not mean that the backlash is unwarranted nor does it guarantee that audience turnout will be phenomenal.

One could say that all this backlash is an over-reaction, that we are nitpicking an industry that has never been fair. But here's the thing: representation is so important, if not for the current generation, but the younger one, the children who will grow up watching. Growing up, finding an accurate and multi-faceted portrayal of an Asian in both small and big screen was difficult. Cho Chang was shuttered off in "Harry Potter" as a romantic interest and suddenly becomes the one to sell everyone out in the movies. Asian and Asian American actors must create their own roles, such as "Fresh Off the Boat." And while developing these shows is great and gives a larger platform for future ethnic artists, they still cannot achieve the impact and notoriety the big production companies wield.

When there are multi-faceted roles, when these characters are expanded past just their ethnicity and old worn traits and tropes, these roles are then given to actors and actresses who are white. Even when different races finally get the chance of being the protagonist in their own story, they are once again replaced.

There are more Asian actresses out there than Lucy Liu. There are many Asian artists who are just as good. There is little excuse for erasing ethnicity and race from a story which actually allows representation.