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.
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
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.
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.
In India, Oberon struggled to pursue acting due to prejudice against her mixed heritage and speech.
When she reached Hollywood, Sen says the "Hays Code" prohibited interracial relationships on screen, forcing Oberon to hide her South Asian identity.
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.
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.
Sen fears entertainment could return to an era like the 1930s, where concealing identity is required for success, hindering progress.
1-Page Summary
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 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.
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.
To shield Oberon from the racial prejudice pervasive in society, her grandmothe ...
Merle Oberon's Identity as a Mixed-Race, Anglo-Indian Woman
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.
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.
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.
Upon reaching Hollywood, Oberon confronted a new set of racial challenges. The prevailing "Hays Code" at the time prohibited interracial relationship ...
Oberon's Racial Prejudice in India and Hollywood
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
Oberon's Strategies to Pass as White and Overcome Racial Prejudices
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.
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.
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.
Impact of Racial Prejudices on Oberon's Acting Career
Mayukh Sen brings attention to Merle Oberon's experience with racial prejudice and compares it to the current climate in the entertainment industry.
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.
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.
Oberon's Experiences and Today's Identity and Representation Issues in Entertainment
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser