Feb. 12 (UPI) — The presence of blackface performers during China’s televised New Year’s Gala is drawing condemnation from activists, who accuse state broadcaster CCTV of endorsing anti-Black racism during one of the most watched shows of the year.
Black China Caucus suggested on Twitter this week the four-hour show Thursday, which attracted hundreds of millions of watchers, encourages racist views of Black people and the Black diaspora in China.
“Like every year, the Chunwan gala featured yet another instance of blackface,” the Caucus said. “Unfortunately, it’s an annual tradition with no signs of stopping anytime soon.”
The activists included a link to a video of the performance and dismissed the idea the depiction was accurate.
“While supporters of the practice allege that blackface centers on empathy & realism, it’s difficult to disassociate it from a long history of minstrelsy & fixation on problematic caricatures,” the group said on social media.
The segment featuring Chinese performers in blackface was part of a presentation showcasing cultures of the world. Male Chinese dancers wearing brown makeup and African tribal gear could be seen on stage with women singers, also wearing dark brown foundation during the segment, “Dances and Melodies of Africa.”
Tensions rose between the African community in China and locals last year, when evidence showed African migrants were being abused in the southern city of Guangzhou while being chased out of hotels amid the coronavirus pandemic. About 10,000 Africans live in Guangzhou.
China’s foreign ministry has defended the concert and dismissed the allegations of blackface. Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Western media was attempting to “sow discord in China’s relations with African countries,” according to the Washington Post.
On Twitter, anonymous commenters identifying themselves as ethnically Chinese said they were “sorry” for the “lack of humanity” in the presentation. Others defended the performance.
“Judging China by America’s sins seems ridiculous,” one commenter on the platform said Friday.
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