Cutting to Concerns

Though I appreciate the hard work and extreme pressure that must be involved in directing a live show such as the Academy Awards, I feel that Louis J. Horvitz did not completely address Adam Carl’s concern regarding Horvitz’s cutaway shots (“Oscar Show Director Delivers Parting Shot,” Counterpunch Letters, April 10). Instead, it was as though he was immune because of his ethnic heritage and involvement with the Hispanic and black communities and years of professional experience.

As an Asian American woman, it’s not so much that these cutaways bothered me, it’s that I’m just used to it. I’m used to Hollywood’s choices on how Hispanics, blacks, gays and lesbians, Native Americans and Asians, as well as other minority cultures, have been and continue to be depicted, grouped and stereotyped; for example, the casting of the same Asian actors, regardless of ethnic background, to portray a Japanese or Chinese or Vietnamese character. I understand these decisions are usually based on financial gain and, unless I myself become a Hollywood executive, there isn’t much I can do. Except to express my concerns.

I am not angry. I find it sad. Even sadder when these decisions are made from those of “minority” heritage. Though there are exceptions, especially as the years progress, I also do not mean to place all the blame on Mr. Horvitz. What I’d like to make clear is that it was his decision as the director to make these cutaways. Though his intent was not “political” or “racist,” these choices, in his words, were intended “to capture the event and, more importantly, to entertain.”

Does this mean that because of my Japanese origin, if I had won an Oscar that the cutaway would have been to Lucy Liu? In a country where I struggle to prove my individuality, that would leave me feeling “grouped.” Though I am pleased with Liu’s success (she is an American of Chinese descent), I’m concerned that instead of it appearing to be “sisterly support,” the audience would mistakenly think because we’re Asian, then we think alike, our cultures are alike and, most importantly, we look alike; who knows, maybe we’re even related? Sadly, this sort of ignorance is the type of reality I have had to deal with all my life. Given Mr. Horvitz’s stated “power to reflect reality,” I desire that these choices be made more carefully as to not feed the ignorant. It’s the ignorance that terrifies me.

TINA IMAHARA

Los Angeles