Julie Chen reveals workplace racism led her to get plastic surgery for ‘Asian eyes’

[Anonymous]

But it also helped her to land the old fat goose DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But it also helped her to land the old fat *golden* goose DH.

[Anonymous]

I am as liberal as they come but it amazes me how political correctness requires that we see racism even where none exists.

The reality is that even if Chen had non-Asian eyes without the other work that was done to enhance her appearance she would still have looked quite unattractive. She had to have work done like many others in the entertainment world though they are not Asian. Being Asian has nothing to do with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh please. She still looks Asian. Only difference is she looked ugly before and now she looks good.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am as liberal as they come but it amazes me how political correctness requires that we see racism even where none exists.

The reality is that even if Chen had non-Asian eyes without the other work that was done to enhance her appearance she would still have looked quite unattractive. She had to have work done like many others in the entertainment world though they are not Asian. Being Asian has nothing to do with it.

But part of what makes her prettier now by society's standards is that she reduced the Asianness of her features. Because society prefers Western/white features. Engrained racism. How do you not get that?

[Anonymous]

When your boss says "your heritage is hindering your career success." It is racism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When your boss says "your heritage is hindering your career success." It is racism.

Maybe he was trying to find a way to say that you're dumpy and unattractive, and that will hinder your career success?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When your boss says "your heritage is hindering your career success." It is racism.

Maybe he was trying to find a way to say that you're dumpy and unattractive, and that will hinder your career success?

He could have said that without mentioning her heritage. Not nice either but at least not racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am as liberal as they come but it amazes me how political correctness requires that we see racism even where none exists.

The reality is that even if Chen had non-Asian eyes without the other work that was done to enhance her appearance she would still have looked quite unattractive. She had to have work done like many others in the entertainment world though they are not Asian. Being Asian has nothing to do with it.

But part of what makes her prettier now by society's standards is that she reduced the Asianness of her features. Because society prefers Western/white features. Engrained racism. How do you not get that?

That poster doesn't "get it" because despite brandishing "as liberal as they come" bonafides, he/she doesn't have to get it. Often those who claim to be the most liberal also have a sort of hubris when it comes to matters to race and ethnicity. There's almost a willful obtuseness in such matters...even when members of that minority group are trying to share their experience or explain points.
So, the poster can conveniently explain it all away as "political correctness" run amok instead of listeing and thinking more critically about what, in part, constituted the metric used to determine "beauty".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am as liberal as they come but it amazes me how political correctness requires that we see racism even where none exists.

The reality is that even if Chen had non-Asian eyes without the other work that was done to enhance her appearance she would still have looked quite unattractive. She had to have work done like many others in the entertainment world though they are not Asian. Being Asian has nothing to do with it.

+1

She was quite plain before she had cosmetic surgery. She could have been any racial group and I'd say the same thing. There are very attractive Asians who don't have Caucasian features. I am married to one and she think's Julie Chen's claim is ridiculous. She also has not felt the need to "modify" her Asian features to achieve success in her profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am as liberal as they come but it amazes me how political correctness requires that we see racism even where none exists.

The reality is that even if Chen had non-Asian eyes without the other work that was done to enhance her appearance she would still have looked quite unattractive. She had to have work done like many others in the entertainment world though they are not Asian. Being Asian has nothing to do with it.

+1

She was quite plain before she had cosmetic surgery. She could have been any racial group and I'd say the same thing. There are very attractive Asians who don't have Caucasian features. I am married to one and she think's Julie Chen's claim is ridiculous. She also has not felt the need to "modify" her Asian features to achieve success in her profession.

Yes, beauty comes in all forms. Pity that was not the career advice Chen's boss or agent gave her. Instead, she was told to alter her look to one that was more Western. And, perhaps pressured in part the nature of her field or perhaps because of a bit of internalized self loathing, she complied.
I am not Asian, AA in fact (and the mom of a biracial AA/Asian daughter), and have worked for similarly large media companies. I've never been given the advice Chen received but know lots of fellow colleagues at other outlets who have. AA women pressured to straighten their hair. Asians advised to get the lid surgery. Latinas told not to tan too deeply. Women of all hues pressured about weight.
Some do these things and others walk away rather than comply.
Chen made a choice to change her look and, whether you deem her pre surgical look attractive or not, her choice did widen her eyes and slim her more ethnic looking nose.
For me, it is not a stretch to believe she was advised to do this to look a little less Asian and therefore appeal to a so-called broader audience.
It's also not a stretch to believe that she'd internalized some racial identity issues and allowed herself to be pressured this way.
These things don't happen in a vaccum. There is some relational impact. At least she's addressing the issue, even if some see her motives as disingenuous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am as liberal as they come but it amazes me how political correctness requires that we see racism even where none exists.

The reality is that even if Chen had non-Asian eyes without the other work that was done to enhance her appearance she would still have looked quite unattractive. She had to have work done like many others in the entertainment world though they are not Asian. Being Asian has nothing to do with it.

+1

She was quite plain before she had cosmetic surgery. She could have been any racial group and I'd say the same thing. There are very attractive Asians who don't have Caucasian features. I am married to one and she think's Julie Chen's claim is ridiculous. She also has not felt the need to "modify" her Asian features to achieve success in her profession.

Yes, beauty comes in all forms. Pity that was not the career advice Chen's boss or agent gave her. Instead, she was told to alter her look to one that was more Western. And, perhaps pressured in part the nature of her field or perhaps because of a bit of internalized self loathing, she complied.
I am not Asian, AA in fact (and the mom of a biracial AA/Asian daughter), and have worked for similarly large media companies. I've never been given the advice Chen received but know lots of fellow colleagues at other outlets who have. AA women pressured to straighten their hair. Asians advised to get the lid surgery. Latinas told not to tan too deeply. Women of all hues pressured about weight.
Some do these things and others walk away rather than comply.
Chen made a choice to change her look and, whether you deem her pre surgical look attractive or not, her choice did widen her eyes and slim her more ethnic looking nose.
For me, it is not a stretch to believe she was advised to do this to look a little less Asian and therefore appeal to a so-called broader audience.
It's also not a stretch to believe that she'd internalized some racial identity issues and allowed herself to be pressured this way.
These things don't happen in a vaccum. There is some relational impact. At least she's addressing the issue, even if some see her motives as disingenuous.

Most Asians see HER as disingenuous. Racism "forced" her into get plastic surgery. Please... Plastic surgery is very popular in countries like S. Korea, Taiwan, Japan, etc and not to look more western but to look "pretty": Like fug Julie, to pretty Julie.

[Anonymous]

The "classic" beauty ideal in countries like China, Japan, etc have always been double eye lids for almond shaped eye and a narrow nose with a pale, fair complexion for hundreds of yrs andhad nothing to do with looking Western.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Actually a lot of those beauty standards derived from colonialism.

[Anonymous]

I respect Asians so much for almost never pulling the race card. But I guess it is contagious.