American Music Awards 2013: Katy Perry's opening act called out as racist

[Jesus Malverde]

Last edited Mon Nov 25, 2013, 06:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Katy Perry opened the American Music Awards on Sunday night dressed as a geisha while belting out her latest single "Unconditionally."

Although the stage aesthetics and colorful attire were quite beautiful, Perry is being called racist for sexualizing a traditional Japanese female figure, who is paid to serve as a hostess and excels in the art of entertainment, reports The Huffington Post.

The opening act included cherry blossoms, a Shinto shrine and taiko drummers. Perry appeared on stage draped in a kimono along with several dozen dancers wearing the cultural garb. Shortly after her performance ended, though, the critics began sounding off.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/katy-perry-amas-opening-act-called-racist-article-1.1528285

Katy Perry's 'Geisha-Style' Performance Needs to Be Called Out
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/katy-perrys-geisha-style-performance-needs-to-be-called-out/281805/

[big_dog]

1. thanks for posting this

“This is some of the worst Orientalism I’ve seen in awhile. Just a mash up of random Asian culture. To those who do not live in America, it’s cool. You probably don’t think anything of it because you don’t have the same history we do in America. This hurts Asian-Americans though. Sure, there will be many who are okay with it, but there’s enough of a voice from those who aren’t okay with it and feel fetishized and belittled by it. Katy Perry is just exercising the full ignorance of her white privilege here.”

http://www.styleite.com/media/was-katy-perrys-ama-geisha-performance-racist/

[B2G]

2. Is there nothing that doesn't outrage anymore?

Is everything now racist?

The term is becoming meaningless.

The fact that she can't sing live to save her life is a bigger offense than her costume, IMHO.

[Decaffeinated]

4. The answer is yes...

[Abukhatar]

7. just coz you dont see it as racist...

Does not mean those of Asian descent shouldn't be offended. And the fact that you don't understand why it offended points to your misconception or lack of understanding of the culture.

[nolabear]

3. I thought it ill advised but am more curious that Macklemore's call-out of racial profiling

has been almost completely ignored. I thought it was a fine thing for him to do, a serious note in an event that doesn't have many of those.

[JaneyVee]

5. OFFS! There was nothing sexualized about it. America is too damn prude!

[cthulu2016]

6. "Cultural appropriation" LOL. Nobody owns culture.