Photo from @praybeytbenjamin on Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Comedian Vice Ganda was called out online after he compared Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa to a character from Marvel film “Black Panther.”
I love South Africa!!! Gandang ganda ko sa kanya!!! Pero di mo ko maloloko ikaw yung sundalo sa Black Panther!!!!
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) December 9, 2019
“I love South Africa!!! Gandang ganda ko sa kanya!!! Pero di mo ko maloloko ikaw yung sundalo sa Black Panther!!!!” Vice Ganda wrote in a Twitter post Monday, during the Miss Universe 2019 pageant.
(I love South Africa!!! I think she’s really beautiful!!! But you can’t fool me, you’re the soldier in Black Panther!!!!)
Tunzi returned the Miss Universe title to South Africa after being crowned Monday by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray in Atlanta, Georgia
But Vice Ganda’s statement seemed to not sit well with several netizens, including singer Leah Navarro, who called the comedian out for his “racist remark.”
“That’s a racist remark from Vice Ganda. I suspect he doesn’t realize it. Such is the lot of ignorance,” Navarro said, quoting the Twitter post of Vice Ganda.
That’s a racist remark from Vice Ganda. I suspect he doesn’t realize it. Such is the lot of ignorance. I hope he has the time to educate himself on racial slurs. When he knows better, he can educate his audience on racism. https://t.co/jocuIgsSdX
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) December 9, 2019
“I hope he has the time to educate himself on racial slurs. When he knows better, he can educate his audience on racism,” she added.
Asked by a netizen where the racial slur is in Vice Ganda’s post, Navarro said: “Please research racial stereotyping to help you understand why what he said is a racial slur. Let us all sharpen our sensitivities and deepen our understanding.”
Please research racial stereotyping to help you understand why what he said is a racial slur. Let us all sharpen our sensitivities and deepen our understanding. https://t.co/3KRrvVwLaE
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) December 9, 2019
Several netizens also replied to Vice Ganda on Twitter and asked the comedian to “reflect” on what he said.
“Pls take time to reflect on this tweet. It is offensive,” one netizen said.
“It is offensive because it is based on the idea that one’s eyes can’t tell people of the same race apart. Thinking about others in categories diminishes their individuality and reveals internalized, passive racism. Tayo din naman offended kung napagkamalang iba,” another netizen said.