PBS is Hiring – Blacks, Whitey Need Not Apply

We received the following this morning:

Linda, how do you like this casting call (below) for PBS’s show “Wired Science” where the host must be Latino! So much for the best person for the job. How many jobs have you applied to that have told you that you must be white, black or green? What does Latino mean . . . that you can speak Spanish (and you live in the U.S. since that’s where the political term is mostly used) or just have a darker than white complexion, but not too European looking even if you hail from Spain! Can a media employer tell a Latino with brownish hair and light skin that they don’t look Latino enough for the job and not get sued for racial discrimination? Is it ethical or legal for a university to distribute discriminatory job offerings? Would anyone make accusations of racism if the same offering said,  “NOTE: MUST BE WHITE”!

Begin forwarded message:

From: Nancy Levien – levien@usc.edu
Date: April 30, 2007
To: FACULTY@usc.edu
Subject: FW: Casting

Dear Faculty,

The person in the email below is looking for a host for a TV show with a specific background and be a Latino. Please pass on to any post doc, PhD student, etc. that you think would be interested.
Thank you.

Nancy Levien
Executive Assistant to the Chair
Department of Computer Science
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Tel: (213) 740-4498
Fax: (213) 740-7285

From: FarMore Casting & Prod – farmorecasting@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 9:19 AM
To: levien@usc.edu
Subject: Casting

Dear Nancy:

Good talking to you. Thank you for offering your assistance. We are FarMore Casting, a film and TV casting group based in Los Angeles who is currently looking for candidates for an AFTRA One Hour Weekly Primetime Series produced by KCET and to be aired on PBS nationwide. The show is a fun, fast paced magazine format show exploring the latest in science and technology.

It is for this reason that we are looking for your assistance in contacting people who have a strong Science, Computer Degree, Doctorate or PhD and are Los Angeles (or vecinity) based.Here are the particulars:

Host #1: Latino/a Male or Female; Age is flexible (preferably 25 to 45); With a Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Degree, Doctorate or PhD. Must posses personality and appeal to hip, well-informed, adult viewers. NOTE: MUST BE LATINO Since we are holding auditions on Wednesday, May 2 time is of the essence and we would appreciate a quick response. If you wish me to contact another person in your organization please give me a call and I will do so.

Please have any interested parties contact us through this e-mail or call me at (213) 507-7314 and mention what organization they are from. Or you may send us a list of any of your suggestions and we will contact them directly.

If you wish to take a look at the format of the program please go to: http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/ Thank you in advance for your prompt response and assistance with this matter.

Sincerely,
Lidia Pires
FarMore Casting & Production
Tel: (213) 507-7315
E-mail: farmorecasting@yahoo.com

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