Fresh from weathering a barrage of criticism over some outstanding points he made about Africa’s connections to the French World Cup victory, the US based South African comedian and host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, doesn’t really have a leg to stand on this time: Something he seems painfully aware of…
What is Trevor Noah’s Aboriginal joke?
On Sunday evening, one Twitter user shared a link to an old routine Noah performed regarding Indigenous Australians. He joked that the population were bereft of “beautiful” women:
“All women of every race can be beautiful. And I know some of you are sitting there now going, ‘Oh Trevor, yeah, but I’ve never seen a beautiful Aborigine.’”
His gag then goes on to talk about them being better at oral sex, due to their ability to play the didgeridoo. The joke is tasteless at best, which has triggered many Twitter users and Aboriginal citizens, too.
Hey @Trevornoah, your comments about Aboriginal @IndigenousX in this clip are utterly unacceptable! As a man of colour, you are usually in point with racism & divide – here you are perpetrating & encouraging racial abuse!! #boycotttrevornoahinoz https://t.co/UNXE8TlBtq RT
— Joe Williams – TEW (@joewilliams_tew) July 22, 2018
Beauty is misogyny and judging women in such ways demonstrates your feelings of entitlement as a man. To then overlay racism as a way to get laughs – punching down to more vulnerable women – is a disgrace. I hope you’re beyond both your racism and misogyny now. — Celeste Liddle (@Utopiana) July 23, 2018
I am appalled. Truly not welcome here in our country.
— Marcia Langton (@marcialangton) July 22, 2018
Trevor Noah responds to Twitter backlash
Noah since took to Twitter himself to face up to the accusations and disowned the routine. He’s previously stated that he’s not proud of the joke, and vowed that the clip – which has since been removed from YouTube – won’t be promoted any more. Did his statement go down well? Not really.
Also see: Open letter to Trevor Noah from an Aboriginal woman (SBS)
His failure to apologise has been a bone of contention for his detractors, who remain unsatisfied with his behaviour.
Wait so he has to go to a museum and learn about history before he knows not to be racist????? — Sarah Maddison (@madd_sarah) July 22, 2018
Think you’ve missed the mark there @Trevornoah. Suggest this needs a more considered response- you’ve caused a lot of offence
— Shelley wills (@ShelleyAWills) July 22, 2018
TOP IMAGE: The Daily Show host, Trevor Noah. (Comedy Central)
