Colleagues Come Forward in Support of Ramin Bahrani after He Faces Racism in Atlanta
Iranian American director and screenwriter Ramin Bahrani of ‘The White Tiger’ fame is in the news for becoming a victim of a racial insult by a bystander.
Iranian American director and screenwriter Ramin Bahrani of ‘The White Tiger’ fame is in the news for becoming a victim of a racial insult by a bystander.
The incident took place in Atlanta when Ramin was on a Zoom interview with ‘The White Tiger’ Executive Producer Ava DuVernay.
Bahrani told the PEOPLE magazine, “I was in Atlanta on location in a residential neighbourhood directing a TV pilot. We had worked late that day, so I had to do my Zoom interview with Ava on my phone while we were still in the street. During the interview, I noticed a car parked behind me. When the driver saw me and my colleague (who is South Asian) he said, ‘You all think you run the world. You all don’t run s***.’ His friend told him to calm down and leave it alone. As the driver pulled away, he shouted, ‘Go back to your own country!'”
What's surprising is that Ramin Bahrani has acknowledged that he’s experienced this kind of xenophobic treatment before in public places. He told PEOPLE magazine that recently one man told him, “The former president didn't build a wall tall enough to keep you out.”
This incident made him recall Nelson Mandela’s quote, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate.”
Colleagues from Hollywood have come forward in support of Ramin. Ava couldn’t hear what was happening in the background when the incident occurred. She told PEOPLE that Ramin being the ultimate professional decided to proceed with the interview that day.
Ava further stated, “This is what artists of color, artists who are not centered or valued, have to endure. We cannot just make and focus on our work like our white male counterparts. We make our work AND must also endure and negotiate our way through all the filth of racism, xenophobia, sexism and other bias that permeates our country and our industry.”
Actress Priyanka Chopra also shared her thoughts on the incident: “Asking me about my thoughts on what happened to Ramin is a sign of where we stand today, and the work we have to continue to do. So my question in response is – who belongs here, and who doesn’t? Isn’t America a melting pot of all people from all backgrounds? This country was built on the back of immigrants in search of the American dream, a life of freedom, opportunity, and a safe place not only for themselves but for their families.”
Ramin Bahrani was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for the Netflix film ‘The White Tiger’ at the Academy Awards. He’s also an Emmy and BAFTA nominee.
