TWITTER WATCH: Lea Salonga, David Henry Hwang, Ann Harada, More Share #MyYellowfaceStory

As members of the artistic community, or even those who simply enjoy and support the arts, we like to think of ourselves as being compassionate and open-minded people who would be sensitive to the issues of racism.

So when members of groups that are targets of discrimination refute that assumption, it should be considered required listening.

As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, on Monday, May 2nd, 2016, at 7pm, The Asian American Arts Alliance, Theatre Communications Group, Asian American Performers Action Coalition and the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, in association with the Fordham University Theatre Program, will present "Beyond Orientalism: The Forum," held at Fordham University's Pope Auditorium, to question how the creative community can advance race equity in the theatre and agree to work together to eradicate yellowface and brownface?

The interactive public event, in which every attendee will play a role and have a voice, features panel conversations, a breakout session and multimedia components.

"It seems every day brings a new account of a film, of a TV show, of a theatre production, that fails to represent the variety and breadth of America's cultural life and in many cases, with seeming intent, denies truthful depictions of our diversity," says Howard Sherman, interim director of Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts. "We have only to look to "Dr. Strange" and "Ghost in the Shell" for the newest examples. Only by engaging with one another, and challenging practices that create barriers, can we ever hope to have our entertainment reflect the true nature of the country."

The interactive aspect of the event has begun on social media already, as the hashtag #MyYellowfaceStory has been used on Twitter as an adjunct. Notables such as Tony-winners David Henry Hwang and Lea Salonga and Broadway's Ann Harada, along with many more Asian-American theatre artists, have shared their stories on a growing list.

Visit aaartsalliance.org, tcg.org, aapacnyc.org and inclusioninthearts.org.