The Internet is Puzzled by Diversity Discussion Featuring Seth Rogen and 6 Other White Guys

Seth Rogen discussing “Sausage Party (Work in Progress)” at 2016 SXSW Music, Arts, + Interactive Festival

By Gabriel Lehrman December 15, 2016

The Hollywood Reporter published a roundtable conversation featuring seven animation producers and directors discussing their respective films. The talk centered around how cultural biases affect their approach to making movies and their portrayals of princesses on screen.

Each director, you guessed it, was a white man.

It didn’t take long for the internet to call out The Hollywood Reporter on its ironic roundtable conversation.

A bunch of white man talking ethnic stereotypes and princesses. Sure. Makes total sense to me. https://t.co/97B8Mku5aQ

— Lisa A. Weir (@lisaweir77) December 14, 2016

Seth Rogen, the guy who pissed off an entire Asian country a few years ago, now an expert on avoiding stereotypes. Good one, God. pic.twitter.com/tcqsEFczET

— Sweet Chin Music. (@thewayoftheid) December 14, 2016

Another WTF moment. Title of piece: “Avoiding Ethnic Stereotypes and How to “Break the Mold” of Princesses” pic.twitter.com/zyibS1eNlc

— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) December 14, 2016

1st paragraph-director of “Trolls” compliments seth rogan on the racist taco in Sausage Party. How about that Avoiding Ethnic Stereotypes https://t.co/0lypoFN0Zl

— Liz Keene (@rizgigg) December 14, 2016

Go home 2016. It’s really, really just over. pic.twitter.com/4jrYyqXEHU

— Rebecca Carroll (@rebel19) December 14, 2016

One user even made a prophecy about The Hollywood Reporter’s next interview.

I wouldn’t put it past The Hollywood Reporter to get a roundtable of white, male actors to talk about the best black films.
They’ll do it.

— Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) December 14, 2016

Rogen responded with his own tongue-in-cheek response.

“Finally, you can see the white male take on ethnic stereotypes and sexism! Proud to break new ground,” the actor tweeted.

Finally, you can see the white male take on ethnic stereotypes and sexism! Proud to break new ground. https://t.co/Pji1GWodm8

— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 14, 2016

Gabriel Lehrman is a former Social Media Intern at The Forward. Follow him on Twitter @LivefromLehrman.

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