The Devil Wears Prada 2 Accused of Racism in China Over Character Name
Quick Look
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is facing accusations of racism in China after a clip showed an Asian assistant character named "Jin Chao," which many online observers say sounds similar to the derogatory slur "Ching Chong." The character was also criticized for having a nerdy image.
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Why It Matters
The controversy comes amid ongoing discussions about representation of Asian characters in Hollywood films. The term "Ching Chong" was historically used in the US amid anti-Asian, xenophobic sentiment in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Hollywood film The Devil Wears Prada 2 is facing accusations of racism in China after it released a clip that shows a nerdy Asian character with a name that allegedly sounds similar to the derogatory "Ching Chong". In the clip posted by a Chinese influencer, an Asian assistant character introduces herself as "Jin Chao", which many online observers believed to sound like "Ching Chong", a derogatory racist slur used to mock the Chinese language and people. The character’s name, Jin Chao, was mistakenly referred to as "Chin Chou" in a widely circulated hearsay on social media, a variation that unfortunately sounds even more similar to the racial slur "Ching Chong." The offensive phrase circulated in the US amid an anti-Asian, xenophobic sentiment in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Also, some people on Chinese social media expressed disappointment with the character’s nerdy image.
Open Questions
- Will the film producers respond to the accusations?
- Will the character name be changed?
- How will this affect the film's reception in China?
