Dennis Chew's "brownface" ad | Bite-Size News with Sam Jo | The Straits Times

Summary

This script discusses a recent controversy involving Mediacorp actor and DJ Dennis Chew, who dressed up as various racial groups, including a Chinese man and woman, Malay woman, and Indian man, for an ad promoting the payment service, E-Pay. The ad faced backlash for 'brownface,' sparking conversations about racial insensitivity and Chinese privilege in Singapore. The ad’s creative agency, Havas Worldwide, and Mediacorp apologized, but the incident highlights ongoing issues with minority representation in Singaporean media. The video reflects on how such microaggressions can harm true racial harmony.

Takeaways

• 😮 The EPA ad over the weekend featured Mediacorp actor DJ Dez Chu dressing as various ethnic groups.
• 😠 The ad was criticized for poor taste, especially due to the use of brownface, which upset many viewers.
• 🤦‍♂️ DJ Dez Chu portrayed a Chinese man and woman, a Malay woman, an Indian man, and even a dog, sparking controversy.
• ✍️ MediaCorp and the ad's creative agency, Havas Worldwide, have since apologized and removed the images from their platforms.
• 👎 The ad was intended to promote e-payment for everyone by representing different ethnic groups, but it backfired.
• 🤔 Critics argued that the ad's portrayal was tone-deaf and did not reflect true racial harmony or inclusivity.
• 📅 This isn't MediaCorp’s first racial controversy, as they previously depicted blackface and made insensitive remarks in a TV series.
• 🗣️ The ad drew attention to broader issues in Singapore regarding Chinese privilege and minority representation.
• 📢 Some argue that microaggressions like brownface undermine efforts for genuine racial harmony in 2019.
• 💡 The script ends with the speaker encouraging viewers to reflect on the issue and contribute to the conversation on racial sensitivity.

Q & A

What controversial action did DJ Dez Chu take in the EPA over the weekend?

DJ Dez Chu dressed up as different ethnic characters, including a Chinese man and woman, a Malay woman, and an Indian man, which was criticized as being in poor taste and an example of brownface.

Which organizations were involved in the creation and dissemination of the controversial ad?

The ad was created by Mediacom, DJ Dez Chu, and the creative agency Havas Worldwide. It was distributed by Mediacom's celebrity management wing, The Celebrity Agency.

What was the intended message of the controversial ad?

The intended message of the ad was to show that the payment service is for everyone, featuring characters from different walks of life.

How did the public react to the ad?

The ad faced significant backlash, with people slamming both the ad and DJ Dez Chu for their poor taste and blatant use of brownface.

How did the organizations involved respond to the backlash?

The organizations involved, including Mediacom and Havas Worldwide, apologized and removed the images from their website.

What historical context was provided to highlight Mediacom's previous mistakes in racial depictions?

The script mentioned previous incidents, such as Gurmit Singh wearing an Afro wig and blackface makeup, and a drama where actress Chen Liping dressed as a Malay woman. These incidents highlight ongoing issues with racial sensitivity.

What criticism did the speaker provide regarding the use of DJ Dez Chu in the ad?

The speaker criticized the ad for not genuinely representing people from all walks of life, suggesting that instead of having DJ Dez Chu shape-shift into various ethnic characters, the ad should have featured real individuals from those ethnic groups.

What does the speaker imply about the state of racial harmony in Singapore?

The speaker implies that Singapore has a long way to go in terms of recognizing Chinese privilege and being mindful of minority experiences, as evidenced by recurring issues with racially insensitive portrayals.

How does the speaker describe the impact of microaggressions like brownface?

The speaker describes microaggressions like brownface as actions that continue to undermine true racial harmony.

What call to action does the speaker suggest at the end of the script?

The speaker suggests that instead of using brownface, there should be a genuine representation of diverse ethnic groups in media to promote true racial harmony.