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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Mayukh Sen examines the tumultuous life of the late Hollywood star Merle Oberon. Oberon, whose South Asian heritage was obscured for much of her career, grappled with prejudice and discrimination in both India and the U.S. The episode explores the strategies Oberon employed to "pass" as white, such as claiming Tasmanian origins and bleaching her skin.

Sen also delves into the challenges Oberon faced due to Hollywood's prevailing "Hays Code" that prohibited interracial relationships on screen. The discussion touches on the lingering impact of such biases, begging the question of whether the entertainment industry has truly progressed in embracing diverse identities and stories.

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

1-Page Summary

Merle Oberon's Complex Identity

Mayukh Sen reveals details on Merle Oberon's mixed South Asian and European heritage. As an Anglo-Indian, Sen says Oberon was caught between cultures, facing prejudice from both sides.

Hidden Maternity

To shield Oberon from discrimination against her mixed background, her Sri Lankan grandmother posed as her mother. Oberon later learned her 'sister' was her real mother.

Oberon's Early Struggles

India Discrimination

In India, Oberon struggled to pursue acting due to prejudice against her mixed heritage and speech.

Hollywood "Hays Code"

When she reached Hollywood, Sen says the "Hays Code" prohibited interracial relationships on screen, forcing Oberon to hide her South Asian identity.

Oberon's Passing Strategies

Oberon charmed powerful Hollywood men to boost her career. She also claimed Tasmanian origins and bleached her skin to appear white. Sen notes black-and-white films obscured Oberon's racial features.

Prejudices Impacted Career

Oberon thrived with producer Sam Goldwyn, who hid her heritage. But Sen says the need for constant bleaching increased after color films arrived. Her career declined after losing 1930s-era support.

Identity Issues Today

Sen fears entertainment could return to an era like the 1930s, where concealing identity is required for success, hindering progress.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore your own heritage by creating a family tree, using online resources and interviews with relatives to understand your roots and the challenges your ancestors may have faced. This personal project can foster a deeper appreciation for your identity and the complexities within your family history, similar to how Merle Oberon's background influenced her life.
  • Start a journal to reflect on instances where you've felt the need to conform or hide aspects of your identity, whether it's cultural, racial, or otherwise. This self-reflection can help you become more aware of societal pressures and encourage you to embrace and express your true self in various aspects of your life.
  • Engage with films and media that celebrate diversity, especially those that highlight actors and stories from mixed heritage backgrounds. By consciously choosing such content, you support the representation of diverse identities in entertainment, countering the historical narrative that success requires concealing one's true identity.

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

Merle Oberon's Identity as a Mixed-Race, Anglo-Indian Woman

Mayukh Sen uncovers the elaborate story of Merle Oberon, whose heritage and identity were significantly shaped by the complexities of race and prejudice in her time.

Oberon's Complex Heritage

Oberon Was Born To a Teenage Mixed-Race Mother and a White Father, Giving Her South Asian and European Descent

Oberon's story started with her birth to a young mixed-race mother and a white father, which conferred upon her a mixed South Asian and European descent. Sen reveals details about Oberon's lineage, identifying her mother, Constance, as a 14-year-old girl of half-Sinhalese and half-white parentage.

Oberon, With Sri Lankan Roots, Was Deemed "Anglo-Indian," Born In India, Placing Her In Racial Limbo, Accepted by Neither South Asians Nor Whites

As an Anglo-Indian, Oberon found herself in a racial limbo; she was unable to be fully accepted by either South Asian or white communities due to prejudice against mixed heritage. This identity placed Oberon in a precarious position personally and professionally, as she navigated a societal landscape that was often hostile to her complex background.

Oberon's Concealed Maternity

Oberon's Grandmother Hid Her Parentage, Posing as Her Mother to Protect the Family From Prejudice Against Their Mixed-Race Background

To shield Oberon from the racial prejudice pervasive in society, her grandmothe ...

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Merle Oberon's Identity as a Mixed-Race, Anglo-Indian Woman

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore your family history to better understand your own identity by creating a family tree with notes on cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This can help you appreciate the diversity within your own lineage and recognize how it has shaped your personal story, much like Oberon's complex family dynamics influenced her life.
  • Reflect on your assumptions about race and heritage by journaling your thoughts after meeting someone new. Note down initial perceptions and then compare them with what you learn about the person over time. This practice can increase awareness of subconscious biases and encourage a more nuanced understanding of identity.
  • Engage in conversations about race and i ...

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

Oberon's Racial Prejudice in India and Hollywood

Oberon, an actress with mixed heritage, faced numerous challenges in her pursuit of an acting career due to racial prejudice in both India and Hollywood.

Facing Discrimination, Oberon Struggled to Pursue Acting In India Due to Mixed Heritage and Speech

In India, Oberon grappled with discrimination that stemmed from her mixed heritage. This prejudice hindered her ability to find opportunities in the Indian acting industry, as her mixed background and speech were not fully accepted in the homogenous cultural arena of the time.

Oberon, Caught Between Cultures, Left India For New Opportunities

The societal pressure and limited opportunities due to her racial identity compelled Oberon to leave India in search of new prospects elsewhere. She was caught between cultures, not fully belonging to either, which made her path to acting even more challenging.

Heading: In Hollywood, Oberon Hid Her South Asian Identity Due to "Hays Code" Interracial Relationship Bans

Upon reaching Hollywood, Oberon confronted a new set of racial challenges. The prevailing "Hays Code" at the time prohibited interracial relationship ...

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Oberon's Racial Prejudice in India and Hollywood

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore the impact of heritage on personal identity by creating a visual timeline of your family history, noting how each generation's cultural background influenced their life choices and opportunities. This activity helps you understand the complexities of identity and the societal pressures that may have shaped your ancestors' decisions, similar to Oberon's experiences. For example, if you have a mixed heritage, you might discover patterns of discrimination or adaptation that resonate with Oberon's story.
  • Start a journal to reflect on instances where you or someone you know may have felt the need to conform to societal norms, drawing parallels to Oberon's experience in Hollywood. Use this as a tool to critically assess how these pressures have affected personal or professional decisions and consider ways to challenge these norms in your daily life. For instance, if you've ever downplayed a part of your identity at work, write about that experience and brainstorm ways to more authentically express yourself moving forwa ...

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

Oberon's Strategies to Pass as White and Overcome Racial Prejudices

Merle Oberon adopted strategic measures to navigate Hollywood's racial prejudices, deftly maneuvering within the industry by hiding her racial heritage and employing various aesthetic tactics to maintain a white persona.

Oberon Charmed Powerful Hollywood Men Like Producer Joseph Schenk to Boost Her Career

Merle Oberon used her beauty and charm to advance her career, notably persuading influential Hollywood figures such as producer Joseph Schenk. Schenk played a pivotal role in bringing her to America and establishing her as an emerging star.

Oberon Claimed Tasmanian Origins to Hide South Asian Roots

In her quest to pass as white, Oberon concealed her South Asian identity by crafting elaborate stories about her origins, including the claim that she was born in Tasmania. This fictional backstory allowed her to navigate a racially prejudiced Hollywood landscape more easily.

Oberon Bleached Skin to Stay Lighter, Risking "too Brown" if in Sun too Long

To maintain her appearance and avoid becoming "too brown," Oberon took to using products to whiten her face. The necessity to continually manage her complexion meant that she could not stay in the sun ...

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Oberon's Strategies to Pass as White and Overcome Racial Prejudices

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore your family history to embrace and share your diverse heritage. By researching your ancestry through online databases or DNA testing, you can uncover your roots and create a personal blog or social media page dedicated to telling your unique family story, celebrating your heritage, and connecting with others who share similar backgrounds.
  • Use modern technology to create inclusive art. With the rise of color film and high-definition cameras, you can produce short films or photography projects that highlight the beauty of diverse skin tones, challenging the outdated notion that beauty is monochromatic. Share these projects on platforms like YouTube or Instagram to promote diversity and challenge beauty standards.
  • Educate yourself on the history of racial passing and it ...

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

Impact of Racial Prejudices on Oberon's Acting Career

Merle Oberon's acting career in Hollywood was significantly affected by racial prejudices, particularly regarding her mixed-race identity which had to be concealed to maintain her success in the industry.

Oberon's Career Thrived With Producer Sam Goldwyn, Who Hid Her South Asian Heritage

Under the wing of Sam Goldwyn, head of United Artists, Oberon's career flourished during the 1930s. Goldwyn played a pivotal role in ensuring that Oberon's South Asian heritage remained a secret from the public and the industry. This concealment was crucial for Oberon's ability to thrive in an era where racial prejudices prevailed in Hollywood.

Color Films in the 1940s Made Oberon's White-Passing Appearance Difficult to Maintain Due to Constant Skin Bleaching

The advent of color films in the 1940s presented a new challenge for Oberon as they highlighted her need to maintain a white-passing appearance. This transition period in the film industry demanded that Oberon undergo constant skin bleaching to preserve the facade that was essential for the continuation of her acting career.

Oberon's Career Declined After Losing 1930s Success and Support

Racial Prejudices Hindered Obe ...

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Impact of Racial Prejudices on Oberon's Acting Career

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore the impact of representation in media by watching films from different eras and noting the diversity of the cast and the portrayal of different ethnicities. This activity will help you understand the evolution of racial representation in Hollywood and its effects on society. For example, compare a classic film from the 1930s with a modern film and discuss the differences in representation with friends or on social media.
  • Start a blog or social media page dedicated to highlighting and celebrating actors from diverse backgrounds who broke barriers in the film industry. By researching and sharing stories of underrepresented actors, you contribute to raising awareness about the importance of diversity in media. This could involve profiling actors from various decades, discussing the challenges they faced, and celebrating their achievements.
  • Engage in conver ...

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A new biography tells the story of a South Asian Hollywood star who passed as white

Oberon's Experiences and Today's Identity and Representation Issues in Entertainment

Mayukh Sen brings attention to Merle Oberon's experience with racial prejudice and compares it to the current climate in the entertainment industry.

Author Likens Current U.S. Political Climate To 1930s Anonymity For Success

Sen fears a regression to a time like the 1930s in the United States, where concealment of one's identity was often necessary for success. He suggests that the entertainment industry could be negatively influenced if America returns to a similar period where people must hide who they are.

Oberon's Tale: A Cautionary Example of Racial Prejudice and the Need For Inclusion in Entertainment

By highlighting the story of Merle Oberon, who felt compelled to pass as white to succeed in Hollywood, Sen illustrates the powerful racial prejudices of the time. Oberon's story serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity for inclusion and diversity in the entertainment industry.

Rollback of Diversity Effo ...

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Oberon's Experiences and Today's Identity and Representation Issues in Entertainment

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Merle Oberon, a prominent actress in Hollywood during the mid-20th century, faced challenges due to her mixed-race heritage. Oberon, who was of Indian and European descent, often concealed her true background to navigate the racial prejudices of the time and advance her career in the predominantly white entertainment industry. Her experiences shed light on the complexities and struggles individuals of mixed heritage faced in an era where racial identity could significantly impact one's opportunities and acceptance in society. Oberon's story serves as a reminder of the barriers and discrimination faced by non-white individuals in the entertainment industry and the broader societal context of that period.
  • In the context of Hollywood and racial prejudice, "passing as white" refers to individuals of non-white heritage attempting to present themselves as white to navigate a predominantly white industry. This practice often involved concealing or downplaying one's racial or ethnic background to access opportunities that were otherwise limited due to systemic discrimination. "Passing" was a survival strategy used by some individuals to overcome racial barriers and gain acceptance in environments where whiteness was pri ...

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