In case you are currently unaware as to who and what the drama is surrounding Chloe Bennet, here is a brief summary. Chloe Bennet is an actress, from Chicago, whose most well-known for her role as Daisy Johnson in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She has recently come under attack for changing her last name from Wang to Bennet. To learn more exactly about the initial incident click here.
People are angry and are claiming that she is ashamed of her ethnicity of being half-Chinese. From what Chloe has stated, she has never denied the fact that she changed her last name. In fact, Chloe clapped back to an Instagram user saying "Hollywood is racist", and in order to pay her rent she had to change her name to a more comfortable in order for Hollywood casting directors to hire her. It also stated that she said the first audition after she changed her name, she was hired. Below is the exact comment that got everyone talking.
Chloe is now advocating for Hollywood to start casting correctly, as well as casting a more diverse population of actors/actresses. This includes her promoting that she does not want anyone else to have to change their name.
This is not the first incident where Hollywood is being called out for their narrow-minded casting in movies. Just recently a Hellboy reboot came under fire when Ed Skrein was cast as Major Ben Daimio. He claimed that he was unaware that the character was of mixed-Asian descent and stated that "It is clear representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people... I feel it is important to honour and respect that. Therefore I have decided to step down...". This was all stated in a post he made publicly through his Instagram account. If you want to view the original post, click here.
Now I am not saying that it is not upsetting to learn of Chloe having to change her last name, or that casting directors are still white-washing movies, however, to target the actress/actor is an irresponsible tactic. The real issue lies in changing Hollywood and in our everyday lives. People are quick to point the finger at Chloe's last name and say it's her fault for promoting the continued discrimination in Hollywood. However, by changing her last name she was able to land a major role and thus place herself in a platform for advocacy. Chloe has not denied her name change, nor has she ever stated she is ashamed of her racial background. She is, however, promoting that there needs to be a change and that although she had to change her name no one else should have too.
That is not to say that I cannot understand why people would also be frustrated with her changing her name. To many, it may seem as though she gave in and allowed Hollywood another win. That by changing her last name she conformed to Hollywood's standards and allowed herself to in a sense be perceived as being ashamed of not having an American/European last name. In short, it can be seen as a defeat and not a victory, whereas if she had kept her last name of Wang she would have been seen more so a huge success and great advocate for people of an ethnic background.
However, the point is she had to change her name to get a job. That in no way says she is ashamed, she has always advocated that she is very proud of her heritage. People need to stop pointing fingers at her and focus on the reasoning behind her name change. We all need to demand that Hollywood stop whitewashing and start accurately portraying, as well diversifying TV/Movies.
