The Buzz: ‘Bumble Bee’ Contestant Faces Racist Firestorm in China

Lou Jing, a contestant on China’s version of “Idol,” is a recent victim of racial discrimination. The beautiful, gifted, Shanghai native has been the brunt of sheer hostility upon becoming a finalist in Dragon TV’s “Go Oriental Angel.” Why, you may ask? Well, she is the product of a Bumble Bee romance.

The-20-year old theater student is the daughter of a Chinese woman and African American man – who left them prior to her birth. Apparently, many Chinese feel that her African ancestry negates her Asian lineage. We’ve heard this line before, but by possessing that philosophy, doesn’t that imply some sort of genetic weakness on the part of the non-Black party?

Why do the racially challenged relinquish connection to their own blood in these instances?

Back to the matter at hand, sources say “Lou admitted to Neteast News that the level of hostility had come as a shock. “The whole thing was a big bomb to my family and me and it caused great harm,” she said. ‘I wish netizens could tolerate my particular parentage and let it go as soon as possible.”

In addition:
“Chip Tsao, one of Hong Kong’s leading columnists and cultural commentators, believes that a child of a Chinese woman and a black person hits all the buttons that cause prejudice among Chinese. “It’s an obnoxious novelty,” he said, adding that Chinese prejudice against black people was part of “prejudice against people less well-off than themselves”.

There was, he said, greater acceptance of Europeans because they were viewed as successful, but mixed Chinese/white European couples frequently attracted racist comment.

One leading actress, Jiang Ziyi, who has an Israeli boyfriend, has routinely been accused of betrayal for consorting with a foreigner. A stark reminder of official racism came last year when Ding Hui, of mixed Chinese and African parentage, was barred from representing his country in the national volleyball team.”

It is in this country that only recently felt the pressure to change the name of a popular toothpaste brand – from “Darkie” to “Darlie” (seriously? Ughh). China’s got the largest population on the planet, and an economy that threatens to flatten the West within our own lifetime. We’re sad to hear about Lou Jing’s troubles, but the debate has got to take place over there, for everyone’s sake. Besides, a population as big as theirs can’t afford to be overrun with racists, wouldn’t ya say?