Scarlet Johansson as lead in Ghost in the Shell is #HollywoodRacism #BoycottJohansson

By Victor Hernandez

Today Hollywood released the first image of Scarlet Johansson as Motoko Kusanagi, the main character in the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell.

And that is racism. Plain and simple. It is pure, 100% unadulterated Hollywood racism.

There's simply no excuse for this. There are plenty of Asian actresses who could've played the role. In fact, Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi, who was nominated for an Oscar and played the female lead in Pacific Rim, another movie based on Japanese anime, was a far better choice for the part of Motoko Kusanagi.

Remember this?


https://youtu.be/WSndNCraTRQ

Rinko Kikuchi even looks like Motoko Kusanagi in Pacific Rim.

Then why cast Scarlet Johansson for the part? Why? It makes no sense.

Star power? Strange. I thought Hollywood was making a movie that was supposed to sell because it's based on a classic anime that already has star power just because of its title.

No, there was NO justification for casting Scarlet Johansson in this movie. And Johansson should've turned down the part. It's not like she needed the money. With all the money she gets from the Avengers movies she has more than enough to live with comfort for the rest of her life.

So let's call the casting of Scarlet Johansson as the lead in Ghost in the Shell for what it is: Hollywood racism.

Even worse; Hollywood is doing this right after the whitiest Oscars in this century and right after Black actors are accusing Hollywood of not giving them roles that could lead to an Academy Award.

I mean, come on; John Oliver pointed out this Hollywood racism (only he called it Whitewash) just before the Oscars:


https://youtu.be/XebG4TO_xss

So I'm sorry, but I'm not paying to see the Ghost in the Shell movie. In fact, I'm calling for a boycott of the movie. Enough is enough. Racism will continue in Hollywood only if we keep paying for it.

PS: In case you're wondering why would a Mexican guy like myself care if Hollywood is being racist against Asian people, my answer is this: Because racism is WRONG no matter who is affected by it. And all of us should stan together against racism regardless of our race, ethnicity, nationality or cultural background.