Malaysian retailer Watsons’ ‘blackface’ video triggers outrage on social media
The 15-minute film was removed from the company’s Facebook page, and was aimed at celebrating the Muslim religious festival Eid al Fitr
A viral video featuring a woman wearing “blackface” that caused an outcry on social media has been pulled by a popular retailer in Malaysia, with the firm apologising for causing offence.
The 15-minute film removed from Watsons Malaysia’s Facebook page showed a nobleman holding an audition to track down a woman with an enchanting voice who had been in his dreams.
A woman appears at the audition, singing beautifully but with her face covered. The nobleman recoils in disgust when she exposes her jet black face. “Oh my gosh! She is actually dark?” he exclaims.
It was our intention to convey concepts of inner and outer beauty, unfortunately the video instead offended many
She later re-emerges with fair skin, explaining that she was wearing black make-up to test his sincerity.
“I am not dark. In fact, I am flawless,” she says.
The promotional video was to celebrate the upcoming Muslim religious festival Eid al Fitr, but it triggered outrage online with many saying it was racist and sexist.
“Being dark skinned is not a badge of shame. Being stupid is,” said one Twitter user.