CCTV should apologise for its blackface skit so China can show the world that it, too, knows how to say sorry
Michael Chugani says China demands apologies from others yet never apologises. It should start, as there’s no better way to showcase its rising power than to show it knows it is not always right
Imagine if a major American TV network aired a show featuring white actors with painted yellow skin, slant eyes and a stereotype Chinese accent. You can bet there would be deafening outrage from the mainland’s army of netizens demanding an apology.
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But CCTV’s skit produced no outrage from mainland netizens. Maybe they laughed themselves so hoarse from the racist segment that they lost their voice. More likely, it’s a simple case of hypocrisy. Censors blocked the posts of the few mainlanders who dared to call out CCTV.
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Let me be clear: I am no China basher. Far from it. Many have labelled me as pro-establishment and a Beijing bootlicker. But when something is wrong, it is only right to speak up, whether it’s China, the US, or whatever. CCTV’s poor attempt at comedy was clearly offensive. It should stand tall by admitting it lacked judgment.
But when something is wrong, it is only right to speak up, whether it’s China or the US
China has a record of extracting apologies. What better way to showcase its rising power than to tell the world it, too, knows how to apologise?
Before people start howling that the US is also racist, I’ll admit the country is beset with racial issues. But at least it tries to confront its history of racism. It is not in denial like Hong Kong and the mainland.
China’s rise is unstoppable and inevitable. It has worked miracles in rapidly improving the lives of millions. That was the easier part. The harder part is deciding if it wants to be a benign superpower or a belligerent one that bullies its smaller neighbours.
The world fears America’s might, is unsettled by its current unpredictable president, but is calmed by its democracy. If authoritarian-ruled China wants to be respected as a superpower, it needs to reassure the world its might doesn’t mean it is always right.
Michael Chugani is a Hong Kong journalist and TV show host
