Dancer Kani Diabaté apologizes for racial stereotype controversy involving watermelon, chicken, and Fanta

Dancer Kani Diabaté has bowed her head following a racial controversy stemming from a YouTube video. After facing criticism that her jokes mentioning watermelon, fried chicken, and Fanta evoked stereotypes linked to the historical discrimination of Black people in the United States, she released a direct apology. However, she also explained her own cultural background and the editing process of the controversial expressions, clarifying that some subtitles were not words she actually used. Her statement includes an apology, an explanation, and a grievance regarding the hateful expressions directed at her.

On the 10th, Kani released a lengthy statement in English on her social media, stating, "I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt or offended by my words." She acknowledged that the core remarks could be perceived as disparagement or mockery of a specific race and expressed her apologies to those who felt uncomfortable by her words and actions.

Previously, Kani made jokes in a YouTube video mentioning watermelon, fried chicken, and Fanta. The controversy spread as critics pointed out that these specific foods are connected to racial stereotypes against Black people in American society. In particular, watermelon and fried chicken have been repeatedly used in the United States within a historical context to ridicule and disparage Black people. Criticism arose that even mentions of everyday foods can be received with entirely different meanings when combined with the discriminatory memories of a specific society.

Kani expressed that she understands this historical context. "I understand that the combination of watermelon and fried chicken carries a painful history related to racial stereotypes in the United States," she explained. At the same time, she appealed for consideration of her own cultural background, stating, "I am a Black woman of Senegalese descent, born and raised in France," and added, "The culture I experienced is not necessarily the same as the culture experienced by Black Americans."

She provided a more specific explanation regarding the controversial use of the term "soul food." Kani claimed, "I did not use that word during filming. It was added as a subtitle during the editing process." She also noted that the problematic scene has already been deleted from the original video, emphasizing the need to distinguish between her actual speech and the subtitles inserted during editing.

In her statement, Kani also expressed deep pain regarding the racial slurs and threats directed at her. "While I respect the voices of criticism and disappointment, the racial insults, appearance-based disparagement, and threats have caused great hurt," she stated. She emphasized that accepting criticism for the controversy is a separate matter from justifying hatred and threats against an individual.

Kani added, "We can hold each other accountable without undermining human dignity." While acknowledging the issues caused by her remarks, she delivered a message that criticism should not transform into racial insults or physical threats.

She concluded by reiterating her apology, saying, "I will speak and act more carefully in the future." This controversy remains an instance showing how jokes and expressions can be perceived in societies where cultural backgrounds and linguistic contexts differ. Attention continues to follow whether Kani's apology and explanation can calm the controversy and what significance her explanation regarding cultural differences will hold in the debate surrounding responsibility.

Read the original (Korean)