What’s up guys, it’s Sussan Mourad with Clevver News, and James Charles has responded
to accusations of racism after taking part in a TikTok trend that has deeply offended
fans for mocking Indian culture.
What was initially intended to be a light-hearted TikTok trend, quickly had many users outraged
over the use of a classical Indian song, playing as a creator’s facial expression is morphed
into a wavy-like pattern.
Although many TikTok users have taken part in the new trend, James Charles, who has millions
of pairs of eyes watching him at all times, was caught up in the backlash after posting
himself partaking in the offensive trend to his TikTok earlier this week.
In his video, the wavy filter kicks in just as the singer’s high-pitched voice trills,
which was timed with the music.
Buuuut despite his intention for the video to be nothing more than a comedic moment,
fans began pointing out that rather than entertainment, the video projects mockery and racism against
Indian culture.
James wasn’t the only person accused of mocking the culture with his video, many other
celebrities including Hype House member Chase Hudson, Josh Peck and Dua Lipa also came under
fire for posting a similar video using the same backtrack.
Many users of Indian descent were hurt and disappointed after seeing so many celebrities
sharing these videos to their millions of followers, essentially giving the go ahead
for fans to imitate.
One user wrote, “So apparently this has become a trend on TikTok, so let me tell you
disrespecting Indian classical music is never f*****g okay.
Not James Charles, not Capital FM, Dua Lipa and many more are doing this TikTok s**t.
WTF is wrong with you all?
Casual racism is never f*****g okay.”
Another user tweeted, “it’s sad to see only some talking about indian classical music
being mocked by people like james charles & dua lipa.
As a student of classical music I can assure you,it takes years of continuous practice,some
still can’t perfect it & y’all go ahead to mock it in a 15 sec tik tok?”
However, some users didn’t quite understand why people were taking such offense to the
video, as one person pointed out that James was laughing at his own face, not the music,
tweeting, “i’m asian and i don’t find this offensive and i don’t even like james
- it’s a filter and he’s laughing at himself not at the race. are you gonna cancel everyone
that uses that filter?”
Many were quick to clarify why they were offended, stating that it’s not actually the filter
they have an issue with.
This user said, “It's not for the filter...
There's nothing offensive in using this filter, but the Indian Classical music used in the
bg is disrespectful and it's like mocking our culture.
People need 10+ years to master these things.”
Another person wrote, “It’s not the filter, sis.
It doesn't mean if you're Asian you get to speak for other Asian because every country
in Asia has different cultures.”
James quickly got word of the backlash and has since deleted his video on TikTok.
TikTok Room’s Instagram account posted the video to which James responded in the comments
section of the post, saying, “1.8 million other people made this video yet I’m the
one getting cancelled lol.
I thought the filter was funny, not the song.
The singing is impressive as hell but I deleted the video because I obviously didn’t mean
to offend.”
However, despite him deleting the video and leaving this comment, some fans weren’t
too thrilled with his response, particularly because this isn’t the first time James
has been under fire in recent months by fans for claims of mocking other cultures.
Back in February, James posted a video which fans took as mocking Adam Ray Okay’s Latinx
alter ego Rosa as he spoke with a Latin accent.
He addressed the situation by admitting that he understands a lot of people don’t like
him, and he’s learned to accept and understand that, but added, “The extent that some people
on this app go in attempt to ruin my life is truly sad.
I hope one day people find a way to feel validation without having to bash others for likes.”
James has been known to take accountability for his wrongdoings, so hopefully he, and
the other 1.8 million people that posted a similar video will be more careful and do
their due diligence next time before jumping onboard with the newest trend.
Particularly if it borrows from another culture.
To see why fans think a potential Sister Squad reunion is coming, you can click right over
here to watch another Clevver video.
Then be sure to let me know all your thoughts on this TikTok trend down in the comments,
and if you think the app should ban the audio backtrack altogether.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, bye guys!