Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
British MP Sarah Owen has criticised Amazon for promoting products featuring white models in ‘yellowface’.
The British-Chinese Labour MP for Luton North said on Twitter that she had a “frustrating” meeting with Amazon UK chiefs about the images on their platform.
Taking to Twitter after the disappointing meeting, Owen, who is the first Labour MP of East Asian descent, wrote: “Had a frustrating meeting with @AmazonUK who can’t understand why these images of #yellowface are offensive and need removing.
“Slanted eye makeup, descriptions like oriental, Chinaman, Far East and mixing up Japanese/Chinese culture is not ok.
“Share and tell Amazon they are wrong.”
In one of the screenshots Owens included in her post, a white model is seen posing as a ‘China Girl’ to promote a pink costume.
Another image shows a white couple posing as Asians in stereotypical outfits.
Owens has previously been outspoken about the racism faced by Asian people during the COVID-19 crisis, referring to an incident of two MPs who allegedly referred to Chinese people as “evil b*stards”.
Meanwhile, Amazon has yet to respond to the MP’s tweet and allegations of ‘yellowface’ on their product listings.
Twitter user ‘Deeburf’ commented: “With you Sarah Owen, I think it’ll take a long time for many businesses and some people to recognise the pain and discrimination felt that this is only part of. It’s a shame. Amazon, can’t show some leadership on this?”
Netizen ‘Chris Hill’ said: “Nope, don’t get it. I think I’m pretty enlightened. I also have three grandkids who are 1/4 oriental. These aren’t offensive – I think you’re reading something into that isn’t really there.”
‘Ben Kew’ wrote: “It’s so telling that a Labour MP’s primary concern with Amazon is not the company’s ruthlessness and appalling working conditions, but removing some silly costumes because of the shade of makeup their models are wearing.”
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