TikTok livestreamer calls out casual racism during Little India walk
Singaporean TikTok livestreamer Fai has called out several viewers for making casual racist comments during his recent livestream.
Some viewers made multiple disparaging comments about Indian cuisine and culture during Fai’s live walking tour of Little India on 23 Oct.
Fai addresses these insensitive messages in follow-up videos on 24 and 25 Oct.
Multiple microaggressions
Speaking to MS News, the 39-year-old content creator explained that he explores different parts of Singapore during some of his livestreams.
He was sightseeing in Little India at around 4 pm on 23 Oct, exploring Tekka Market, the shophouses, and the Deepavali Bazaar at Farrer Park.
During the stream, Fai sat down for dinner at ABC Nasi Kandar Restaurant along Desker Road, where he ordered a palak chicken dish.
Source: Fai_star_restaurant TikTok
Seeing the green dish, one viewer allegedly left a disrespectful comment describing that it looked “like poop”.
Source: Fai_star_restaurant TikTok
Another viewer made another rude comment, calling an establishment Fai walks past a “fake cafe”.
Fai called out the chatters immediately on stream at the time, banning the offending viewers.
“There were [also] other comments concerning food sanitation, and asking me to be careful while exploring Little India,” Fai also shared with MS News.
He also said it was the first time he received comments of such a nature on his streams.
He added:
I know casual racism exist[s], but it wasn’t constantly on my mind as someone from the majority race. So I was quite taken aback reading that many disappointing comments while exploring Little India.
Creator urges viewers to unlearn casual prejudice
Fai decided to create follow-up videos because he felt that society often ignores microaggressions toward minority groups.
“Unfortunately for myself and the people around me throughout my life, we don’t often address our microaggressions toward other races,” he said.
He explained that the livestream also gave him much to think about, adding that part of him “regrets not addressing such comments” when he encounters them.
As such, he saw it as a good opportunity to discuss the issue and give some viewers a chance to learn from it.
After posting the follow-up videos, one Chinese commenter accused him of fabricating the incident for views. Another questioned whether such remarks even constituted racism.
Such ignorance about microaggressions proves to Fai that society needs to discuss the topic more openly.
While Fai directed his message at younger generations in the videos, he clarified with MS News that he could not confirm the exact ages of the commenters.
Demographic statistics from his streams show that his core audience generally falls between 25 and 34 years old.
“From my own experience, I have encountered many racist remarks from the older generation, and among my peers, these negative views were likely influenced since young,” he explained.
“It’s important for us to acknowledge it and unlearn such behaviour.”
He urged the new generation who are “more educated, more sensitive, more worldly, more global” to leave such behaviour in the past.
Comments were not ‘trolling’
MS News also asked Fai if he thought that some of the rude commenters may have just been intentionally disruptive.
Fai doubted this, observing that the viewers were “engaging in proper conversations, occasionally leaving questionable comments”.
He also noted:
Majority of viewers are okay, but there were a handful of remarks that were disrespectful and uncalled for. And you can just tell they are unaware it is insensitive.
Fai feels that such scenarios are “exactly how casual racism plays out in minority groups’ daily lives”.
However, there seemed to be a positive impact from his follow-up videos. Fai was able to share that one of the viewers did reach out to him to “express regret as [they were] unaware the comments (they made) were considered racist”.
Netizens commend message
While there were some ignorant comments, most replies to Fai’s follow-up videos were very positive.
Source: Fai_star_restaurant TikTok
Many thanked Fai for shining a light on the issue and speaking up for minorities.
Source: Fai_star_restaurant TikTok
One commenter also highlighted that the manner in which Fai explained the issue was highly effective.
Source: Fai_star_restaurant TikTok
Others also gave anecdotes where they encountered unexpected casual racism.
Source: Fai_star_restaurant TikTok
A few commenters also decided to poke fun at those who left the insensitive comments.
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Featured image adapted from @fai_star_restaurant on TikTok.