Whitewashing is a dirty word in modern day America. During a time of increased scrutiny on police brutality and race relations in the US hitting a low not seen since the Watts riots, bringing up something as innocuous as a fictional film might seem petty.

However for those who knew and loved Bruce Lee, the white washing of his story is anything but petty. When Birth of a Dragon was announced last year it was met with much excitement from film fans and martial arts enthusiast. A modern film featuring the legendary Bruce Lee has been long overdue and fans couldn’t wait to get their first peak at the movie.

Excitement quickly gave way to disappointment when it was revealed that while Bruce Lee would be as Asian as ever the film would not be focused on the legendary fighter. Instead the protagonist is Steve McKee, a country guy from Indiana who travels to San Francisco and winds up passing out, drunk, in front of Lee’s martial-arts studio.

A young white man who is pursuing the love of a young Chinese girl and matches up Lee with Wong Jack Man for their legendary battle.

This fight of course produced the legendary style known as Jute Keen Do.

I guess the world’s most famous fighter creating his signature martial art wasn’t compelling enough for Lee to get the starring role in this film. Either that or Hollywood has white washed another minority story in order to make it more relatable to a Caucasian audience.

Either way you slice it there needs to be change. White audiences do not need to be pandered to. In 2016 I’d like to think we’ve come a long enough way that viewers can enjoy a piece of cinema even when the hero doesn’t look like them.

The big time studios appear to see things differently. Here’s hoping their vision clears up soon.