• About The Last Airbender Controversy
• Ethnicity in America
• How Children Perceive and Learn About Race

Casting an American Series

TLA Primer: Start Here

If you have no idea what The Last Airbender is or don’t know why people are upset about the casting of the live-action film, this is the place to start.

We quickly describe the original American cartoon, the casting methods of Paramount for the live-action film, and Racebending as a movement.  You can also view our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

The Last Airbender Timeline

A brief explanation of the original cartoon series and Paramount’s decisions regarding the live action film.

We include here statements from the casting call, protest actions by MANAA and related organizations, and actions of professionals in response to the controversy. We also include some cast photos for reference.

Colors of America

Caucasian or Any Other Ethnicity

Five words at the heart of the controversy. What does it mean when a casting call asks for “Caucasians or any other ethnicity”? What does a fair casting call look like? Should race and ethnicity be a factor in filmmaking?

Original research by Racebending contributor Michelle I.

Yellowface: A Story in Pictures

Racebending contributor Michelle I. guides us through the history of yellowface in America. Through the images of the past, present, and future we examine the fairness of casting in Hollywood.

Not a study of any one film, performer, or production company – but a look at the system as a whole. Is Hollywood’s embrace of the American spectrum limited to Caucasian heroes and minority villains? Are there no Asian American actors ready to do more than populate a background? Is it a virtue to be colorblind?

Our Children’s Vision

Virtue of Colorblindness

We all want our children to grow up embracing diversity. One of America’s most cherished values is the idea that we are all created equal.

For some, this means encouraging children to be colorblind. But is this effective? What is the best way to encourage our children to appreciate people of different colors and cultures?

Do Children See Race?

America prides itself on being a diverse nation, embracing people of all colors and creeds.

As we struggle with our evolving national identity, we learn and discover more about what it means to be American – and how the wealth of our multicultural roots is a source of strength.

One of the best ways to measure our progress is to examine what our children learn as they grow and mature in modern society. So we ask:

How do our children perceive race?