This past Saturday a Facebook/Twitter message posted by Trevor Noah that was meant to be a joke by the seasoned comic, resulted in a racial slur directed at Indians.
Firstly, for anyone to “follow” or “Like” the much publicly acclaimed Trevor Noah, would be fully aware that he is a comedian. From both his DayWalker DVDs and exposure to his standup material, one is aware that this guy uses mainly race and politics to get his point across.
Now, if you are either racially or politically sensitive, why would you associate yourself with someone who will “touch you on your studio?”
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This is the comment that sparked the racial debacle:
Trevor Noah – Durban is humid and full of Indians. It’s like walking into the sauna at a gym in fordsburg
This immediately sparked a fury from a number of his Indian fans:
Kieren Lee – Dude wtf wit u nd pick on indianz
Thiveshan Naidoo – think about what u say dude... not very nice. Minus one one fan....
Shenaz Abdul Wahab – Yeah, Indians r everywhere, so r blacks and whites but we don’t say that bout u guys. We r South African so accept us as such.
Tiffany Rardene – 1last thng,people just dnt lyk it when people criticise or mes with their race,wheather im sensiyive or nt ive always said it2u Trevor thnk b4u act im offended,u dnt want people talkin lyk that 2u
Tamlyn Canham – Trevor likes making poor taste Indian jokes!!! This is bad. So unnecessary!!! Just encouraging hate speech by the look of some of these posts!!!
Jessica Bundhan – Dnt be a racist! Being a national comedian doesn’t excuse u from this! And anyway we did the Simba advert with u in Fordsburg where u were welcomed!
Nevashnee Chetty - Do u hav a problem wit the charou’s. Go bak 2Josies then. Plz don’t post racist comments
Kamil Sunderlall – thats a fairly racist comment there...minus 1 fan..
Then it got ugly:
Kedusha Ramnarian – Dude I agree that Comedians crack jokes bout all races...so why dnt keep it 4 da stage en off facebook! PS – if u lukin 4 “ur ppl” find them at Nrth beach havin their annual bath!
Merska Meranda Maistry – Fuck all you mother fucking loveless kunts mess with Indians is the worst thing you can do come try it trevor youll get your ass handed to you guaranteed
Niven Pahlath – Your ma se poes Trevor
Candice Munisamy – Comments like that does not earn u respect. Just makes people think your brain is locates in your ass. U just lost a fan.
Patsy Maraj – Never thort it wud happen..bt i am so putt off by u. Thort u were bigger than ths,sad tt i was rong
Apparently this post added salt to the wound that resulted in the saga:
Ryland Situation Kelly – Stupid Indians.. Should go back to there own country
Thank Heavens that a small fraction was offended, as some Indians proved that the post was all in the name of humour:
Justin Kanthan – Guys I don’t think some of you guys read what a guy by the name of Ryland Kelly posted on this forum. He saud: stupid Indians must go back to they country. Now that’s a offence to da Indian race group. And Indian Trevor Noah fans this is joke Trevor posted on da forum is funny so don’t take offence to that. Take offence to da people dat is talking crap about da Indian race group.
Rolanda Pillay – Yeah coz we hot n spicy lol
Leanne Davids – Lmao I’m Indian n I think its funny, I mean reall nw.... Hw can a Person get angry over diz... Lol
Ashenka Padayachee – LOL no offense at all taken Trevor! What I don’t understand is why people are still going on with this... just forget abt it and enjoy your Saturday night!!;)
However this didn’t sit well with the comedian as he posted this update shortly after the "war":
Trevor Noah – Hey people why are you making this thing into a racist debate and argument? Please don’t user jokes for your own agenda. Just laugh man Indian is a race not a personality there’s no negative in my post unless you in your mind think it.
Clearly Trevor felt he needed to further clear the air regarding the tension caused by the joke, as he swiftly posted another comment:
Trevor Noah – My manager Rabin who is Indian just said “what kind, don’t these people know you’re a comedian ekse?”
Then... He posted yet another explanation:
Trevor Noah – It’s a shame when people use comedy or forums like this to spread their hate. I can’t believe some of the things people have said. To my Indian fans please know I love y’all, don’t let a few rotten potatoes spoil us all. Much love.
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It’s amazing how a joke could have gone so out of hand, particularly to an extent of sparking such racial tension.
Maybe I’m naive or short sited, but I don’t think this joke comes across as racist in the slighted way, especially considering that a day prior ,Trevor Noah posted this joke:
“It’s only natural that Xhosa peeps hang out in cliques.” Fortunately, there was no Xhosa uproar.
So, are we still a racially sensitive nation?
Should comedians steer clear off the racial radar?
Did Trevor Noah go too far?
What are your views peeps?
Surnames covered to protect individuals involved. Source:Facebook. (I’ve just learnt that the posts have subsequently been removed.)