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We are asking for the producers and director F. Gary Gray of  “Straight Outta Compton” to replace Sande Alessi Casting. Aside from the blatant misogyny and violence promoted by the musicians featured in the movie, the casting call also promotes racist stereotypes and colorism. Colorism, “is a practice of discrimination by which those with lighter skin are treated more favorably than those with darker skin,” About.com. Colorism is the wicked step child of White supremacy. The casting call is nothing more than modern day paper bag test and as Film/TV Editor at The Urban Daily, Contributor at NY Times and Roger Ebert film site, co-host of @CinemainNoir, Film Fatale said it’s” Not that much different from a slave manifest or auction list.” She is right. According to Gawker.com, women are being graded by their race, weight and hair. The casting sheet from Sande Allesi Casting, says,

SAG OR NON UNION CASTING NOTICE FOR FEMALES-ALL ETHNICITIES- from the late 80’s. Shoots on “Straight Outta Compton”. Shoot date TBD. We are pulling photos for the director of featured extras. VERY IMPORTANT – You MUST live in the Los Angeles area (Orange County is fine too) to work on this show. DO NOT SUBMIT if you live out of the area. Nobody is going to be flying into LA to do extra work on this show - and don’t tell me you are willing to fly in.

SAG OR NON UNION FEMALES - PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC BREAKDOWN. DO NOT EMAIL IN FOR MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY:

A GIRLS: These are the hottest of the hottest. Models. MUST have real hair - no extensions, very classy looking, great bodies. You can be black, white, asian, hispanic, mid eastern, or mixed race too. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: [email protected] subject line should read: A GIRLS

B GIRLS: These are fine girls, long natural hair, really nice bodies. Small waists, nice hips. You should be light-skinned. Beyonce is a prototype here. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: [email protected] subject line should read: B GIRLS

C GIRLS: These are African American girls, medium to light skinned with a weave. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: [email protected] subject line should read: C GIRLS

D GIRLS: These are African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone. Character types. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: [email protected] subject line should read: D GIRLS

The casting call relies on antebellum racist stereotypes where of course Black women of a darker hue are “D Girls,” not women and are “poor, not in good shape.” This is insulting and racist. We find the Sande Alessi Casting’s excuse of being an “innocent mistake” insufficient. Colorism is purposely and deeply rooted within the Hollywood psyche where there is a sick normalcy of disrespecting and humiliating Black women here, here and here.

Black Americans account for over 37 million people in the United States and have over $1 trillion in buying power. We spend millions on movies and are incredibly loyal consumers. We are not to be measured and graded like carton of eggs. We are not a stereotype and we say no more. We will not take our hard earned grade D dollars and support this movie until they change this agency.

Sign the petition calling for the replacement of the Sande Alessi Casting agency on change.org below.

https://www.change.org/petitions/straight-outta-compton-and-f-gary-gray-and-universal-studios-straight-outta-compton-replace-the-sande-alessi-casting-agency#share