More 'Hobbit' Problems: Shire Becoming a Racist Country Club

The ever-plagued production of The Hobbit hit another snag Monday when a woman with Pakistani heritage, responding to a casting call for sub-5'2" lady-hobbits with "light skin tones," was reportedly told she wasn't pale enough to be in the background of the Shire. The independent contractor who made the statement has since been let go by Peter Jackson's Wingnut Films, and spokesman responded to the incident, saying:

No such instructions were given. The crew member in question took it upon themselves to do that and it's not something we instructed or condoned.

The crew member in question has been dismissed from the show. It's something we take very seriously.

For those thinking, "But Hobbits ARE a sickly white! Like me!", the article also notes, "Tolkien described three races of Hobbits inhabiting the Middle Earth fantasy world which is the setting for the movies, including harfoots, who 'were browner of skin' than the others," so true nerds will know this complaint has some merit. Also, this news comes on the anniversary of Rosa Parks' dramatic refusal to give up her bus seat, so let's show due respect to this new, momentous, really geeky step in the fight for civil rights. There won't be true equality in this world until abnormally short women of all colors are given an equal shot at playing "female Hobbit carrying bucket."

(via)