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The Chinese Internet Turned on Lu Ke, the Culprit in the BBC’s “Racism for Sale” Documentary

by Eric Olander
HEADLINE TRANSLATION: Hot Comments: Internet Celebrities Who Do Shameful Things Have Only Themselves to Blame

For years, the Chinese internet reflexively defended all compatriots against any charges of anti-Black discrimination or racism. “China and Chinese people DO NOT DISCRIMINATE. Period.” was the line that came back against any accusation by foreigners of Chinese maltreatment of Black people in places like Guangzhou in 2020 or in popular culture.

But the recent BBC Africa documentary “Racism for Sale,” which documented the highly exploitative practice of Africans (including children) being coached to say demeaning things about themselves in Mandarin in short videos sold on Chinese social media platforms, triggered a different reaction.

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