Harassment and Discrimination
For all the participants, racism and sexism are part of the reality of working in the industry. At every level and no matter their role, BIWOC reported microaggressions, casual racism, and incidents of outward harassment and discrimination.
Several participants shared indelible experiences at work and industry events that left them feeling dehumanized, hypersexualized, alienated, and unsafe. They sometimes avoided parties to avoid potential harm, but then sacrificed important networking and professional opportunities.
“When I went to my first [Vancouver International Film Festival]: old men came up to me all night. One guy was really insistent. I gave him my number and he was saying, ‘So you’re on screen wanting to be an actress, right?’ and I was like, ‘No, that's not what I do.’ He was like, ‘I'm a writer. I want to write you into my film.’ And I had to explain to him that I'm a writer-producer.”
“I stopped going to film festivals and industry mixers etcetera. I don't want to meet men. Most people in the room are men, men saying, ‘Send me photos, send me a headshot.’”
The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have increased awareness of the scale, pervasiveness, and impacts of sexual harassment in the film and TV industry. However, the mainstream media has largely spotlighted the experiences of very famous thin, white actresses, while leaving the intersection of race and gender virtually unexamined vis-à-vis sexual harassment. In reality, racial stereotypes are often sexualized and influence how men perceive and treat BIWOC. For instance, in the focus groups, a few Asian participants talked about the impossible bind of either being hypersexualized or being made to feel not worthy of attention or consideration when adopting a less feminine aesthetic.
“I used to dress more feminine and Asian people tend to be sexualized a lot more, if you meet certain standards. And if you don't, it's almost like you’re invisible.”
“I’m just thinking about how I've been doing this, maybe trying to look or present myself as being older and not attracting as much male attention.”
Despite their credits, credentials, talents, or other qualifications, participants largely agreed that they were rarely taken seriously or given the respect they deserve by their male and white female colleagues.
“Being a woman of colour just means that people assume you don't know what you're doing, which is a really frustrating experience.”
“No one believes you’re the one in charge.”
“There’s the sense that [they think] you’re not capable of being creative… That’s been my professional experience. You have to prove yourself over and over again.”
Some suggested that appearing younger or more feminine resulted in men in the industry undermining or ignoring them on set. A few recalled instances of being asked who was really in charge, or having their competence dismissed in similar ways. Some participants recalled situations where men would try to take over or establish their own authority, rather than accepting the direction and leadership of BIWOC.
“For whatever reason, one of the directors came up to me like, ‘Oh sweetie, where’s your boss?’ And he would hover around me often. ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing?’ Even though I was the literal boss. I remember getting so angry.”
“My experience in the industry is that people don’t really believe me, it might be my own insecurities playing into this role as well, but when I'm producing or organizing, people are always looking to see who's in charge. So, I'll make up a fake producer, go to the washroom and just come back. I’ve learned to adopt new vocabulary. I say We a lot. It's gotten to the point where I'm like, Who’s we? It's me.”
The discrimination and indignities have material impacts on the BIWOC of the film and TV industry. Fewer opportunities to work and even fewer to lead affects their financial health: “I can't think of one time where I got paid properly for my labour,” said one participant. But the costs are so much more: “It’s more than just not being included,” one participant said, “It really affected my mental health. It really affected me emotionally...I really want to put emphasis on that dehumanizing aspect.”
“One thing that I feel is kind of constantly being disposable and unimportant.”
“There's still this feeling of ‘I’m still not good enough and you’re trying to retrain your mind. No matter how hard you work you still need to work twice as hard.”
“I’ve been mistaken so many times for a different Asian person. On one occasion, when it happened, it made me feel really invisible. It was just a demoralizing day and my first reaction was to joke about it. That particular day, I felt really unseen. The people here, they don't appreciate who I am. They don't even know who I am.”