… sigh.
China’s black pop idol exposes her nation’s racism
The 20-year-old daughter of a Chinese mother and an African-American father who left the country before she was born, Lou was a highly unusual entrant to Shanghai-based Dragon TV’s Go Oriental Angel. Her appearances – she became one of five finalists – have provoked a storm of abuse on the internet, a rare debate on racism in the media, and a bout of self-examination in a country where skin colour is a notoriously sensitive subject.
Dragon TV initially had doubts about allowing Lou to perform, but then realised that her presence would do much to attract publicity for the show. But few executives can have expected the fury contained in many of the blogs and online posts that accompanied her performances. The internet is the only place in China where the public can express views with near-freedom – although they are rapidly cut off by an army of state censors if they stray into territory that attracts official disapproval. The huge online interest in Lou clearly does not fall into this category.
“Ugh. Yellow people and black people mixed together is very gross,” was one representative post. And Lou’s critics are incensed not only by her colour but also because she is apparently the product of an extramarital relationship. Another blogger wrote: “Numb! This bitch still has the audacity to appear on television! I don’t know what to say! One cannot be shameless to this kind of level!”
I don’t think there’s enough headdesk in the world.This is why race and racism is always such a tricky subject to navigate when I talk to my parents (bless their hearts). China’s such a homogeneous country that a lot of people are just incredibly ignorant– thus I whole-heartedly agree with this statement “Many Chinese remain unaware that certain forms of behaviour and language are unacceptable in multicultural societies elsewhere”.
Also, everyone commenting on how Lou Jing’s Mandarin is so excellent reminds me of how often I get complimented on my English “for being so good”.
*facepalms*
wow.
and yeah, seriously. just the other day i don’t remember what the topic of conversation was, possibly food, but my dad suddenly said, “real chinese people don’t do that.”
and in my typical non-confrontational (but with an edge of sarcasm / what my dad calls smug superiority ahahaha) way I said, “what does real chinese people mean? do people living in the west of the country not count?”
then he had to explain that he meant han chinese.
I know you meant han chinese.
well, he said. that’s what people traditionally think of as CHINA china you know what I mean.
fine, I said. I know what you mean.
another argument blown over, nothing accomplished except my dad thinks I think he’s stupid hahaha I have to find a better way of venting my frustrations
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Stacy Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Yeah, my parents are sort of the same way which frustrates me.
My best guy friend (if not, best friend) is black and I love him to death but my mom always referred to him as “that black boy”. I… I’ve given up on trying to explain to them why that’s wrong, since both my parents tend to treat individuals well but generalize them as a race.
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