Boycott the Last Airbender

To:  John Lesher, President, Paramount Film Group

We, the undersigned, are joined in protest of the racist casting of Paramount's The Last Airbender.

The original Nickelodeon series is:
      • Set in a world filled with Asian culture (food, drink, tradition, architecture, dress, language).
      • Championed by two brown-skinned Inuit heroes.
      • Led by a reincarnated savior modeled on the Dalai Lama, raised by monks of Tibetan dress and appearance.

These qualities create a unique and vibrant show, beloved by many and inspiring for its message of triumph through the unity of diversity.

That is why it is so heartbreaking to witness Paramount's casting of the live-action film which:
      • Has replaced the brown-skinned hero and heroine with Caucasian actors.
      • Chosen Middle-Eastern and South Asian performers for the genocidal Fire Nation.
      • Systematically excluded minorities from any heroic roles.

As a consequence of Paramount's refusal to address the concern of fans, activists, or indeed ANY enlightened members of the modern, international community, we pledge to:
      • Boycott The Last Airbender. (theatrical release, DVD sales, etc.)
      • Discourage friends and family from watching the film.
      • Support and endorse the protest activities of Racebending and MANAA.

The African-American community did away with Hollywood's practice of blackface, yet the use of yellowface continues to be widespread. Paramount's whitewashing of colored heroes is less blatant, but remains a form of racism, and as such, has no place in the twenty-first century.

To the men and women of Paramount who do not believe in the bravery of colored people, who reject the American ideal of human dignity without regard to ethnicity, and expect people yellow, black, white, red, and brown to turn their prejudice into profit, we say:

Aang can stay Asian and still save the world.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Boycott the Last Airbender Petition to John Lesher, President, Paramount Film Group was created by People Against Racebending and written by Michael Le (mike@racebending.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.