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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

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