A Japanese rock band has pulled the music video for its new song “Columbus” after drawing flak for scenes that depicted Christopher Columbus with ape-like men.
The video shows three historical figures teaching the ape-like beings to do various things, like how to ride on horses and play musical instruments.
The video swiftly sparked a backlash after it was released on Wednesday - it was removed just a day later.
The band, Mrs Green Apple, apologised on Thursday, saying the video “contains expressions that lack understanding of historical and cultural backgrounds”.
How do people not know these things are insulting and racist?
Japan is still a fairly insular nation, especially in regards to the topic of history. During the Meiji restoration they basically rewrote their own history, which also kinda requires you to ignore or reshape everyone else’s history to suit your perspective. As a result, I doubt world history is very well covered in their public education.
I could also imagine the missionaries that were coming over described the American Indians in such a way and it just kinda went from there in collective memory.
I can understand the individuals not getting it.
But the fact that nobody at the production company has the role of checking off on whether a music video is likely to cause backlash is baffling.
Well, tbf they probably went to the same schools. It really is a problem that spans the width of the whole society. Even the universities promote historical revisionism, and will back out of international studies that end up not supporting their hypothesis.
I think a lot of people forget that unlike Germany, after world war two the social and military elite of Japan were not prosecuted or insulated from the controls of the new government. So while they adapted to a new economic and governmental hierarchy, the culture and societal mores remained largely unchanged. It’s fairly evident once you realize the majority of the heads of state since ww2 have been war criminals, or the children of war criminals.
Most Asian countries influenced by the US don’t have a real understand of our history. Just like we are taught about slavery, they get even less truth.
and U.S slavery isnt even the biggest portion of slavery, its just the most shown due to hollywood. Slavery elsewhere (carribeans, south america) as a much more brutal and underrepresented portion of history in the Americas.
Well in the US we focus on why we needed them. I learned more about cotton and tabacco then actual slavery. I also grew up in Tennessee and learned the KKK protected poor southern women. They also kept the peace. This was in the mid-90s at about 13 yrs old.
Similar in Texas.
I took Texas history in college. Never mentioned slavery, it was more of a “we grew a lot of cotton during the 19th century.”
In my middle school they tired to “highlight” other grievances with Mexico in regard to our independence. Rereading as an adult it is more of a microcosm of lost cause stuff. Mexico had done away with slavery and independence was a way to bring it back.
You should see China’s new year shows. I saw one a few years ago with a Chinese person in blackface and African garb/dress with fruit on their head. Also an ad where a black person goes into a washing machine and comes out Chinese.
I went looking because I was curious. Link for anyone else: https://youtu.be/Few8kJ0zfnY
Best comment was “now that’s ethnic cleansing!” Lol.
That is the ad I was talking about. Didn’t realise it was so old though.
goes into a washing machine and comes out Chinese.
I guess their washing machines aren’t as good as they want them to be.
I… want to see that video. I mean, of course it sounds offensive. But it also sounds like something I’d like to see how bad it is myself! This is internet history in the making.
Apparently it is still viewable here, but I don’t have time to watch it now https://www.veoh.com/watch/v142339041ZmEwyYfd
Wow wtf
I’m now curious as to what the lyrics mean… Are they singing about Columbus or did they just choose a really strange video theme?
https://genius.com/Mrs-green-apple-columbus-lyrics with google translate should get you there. I tried to listen to the song to verify but it’s awful and I’m not subjecting myself to that.
Thanks!
Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Columbus” Lyrics
[Intro] Someday Until I Fall Asleep
[Verse 1] A little on a whim Five million years ago I couldn’t even tell you that day.
[Verse 2] And the great inventions. And the cells I found Flowing on the ocean’s edge The creation of carbonic acid
[Chorus] Like the day I’ll fall asleep I’m anxious but sure of my goal Surprisingly, I love everyday life Like a little miracle poured into my thirsty heart Close up on a little miracle It doesn’t mean anything I want to drink up the love that I haven’t noticed yet I want to drink up all the love I have yet to realize
[Post-Chorus] Tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-tu-tu, tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-ru-ru-tu Tu-tu-tu, tu-ru
[Verse 3] “I’m sorry.” That’s the hardest thing to say On the way to adulthood I couldn’t say.
[Verse 4] The evolution of civilization. And the greatest turnaround of all time I can hear it at the bottom of the earth Columbus’ exaltation.
[Chorus] Like the loneliness you’ll one day overcome Equal sunrises and night skies The daily routine that makes your stomach ache Like a thirsty heart that needs a pick-me-up Close-up on a bit of aesthetics It only means what it says I’m still hurting Sadness is teaching me today
[Bridge] The difference between you and me Is the curse that makes me who I am I’m constantly sneering But I can’t really hate myself But I can’t really hate myself Oh, the subtleties of a beloved wound of honor Is celebrated with such gusto, such subtlety. Is to be celebrated with gusto.
[Chorus] Somewhere along the way A goal uncertain but certain Surprisingly fast everyday life Pouring into my thirsty heart A little play close up We’ll connect with each other I just want to drink up with you I want to drink it all up with you today.
[Post-Chorus] Tu-ru-ru-tu. Tu-ru-ru-tu (Woah) Tu-ru-ru-tu. Tu-tu-tu, tu-ru-ru
[Outro] “I want to get to know you.” It’s like an expedition. No one else can know Like gently touching the gentle loneliness I want to know you ♪ Like the Northern Lights ♪ "that no one can know yet. Like I’ve finally arrived Like we’ve finally arrived. You see, the boat is going again. We’ll meet and part again and again To make the most of the meaning of moist eyes First, we need to find a treasure chest.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
It kinda sounds like a Japanese version of Hanson’s Mmmbop
I don’t know how many times people need to be told Japan still has a huge racism problem and a problem with acknowledging the crimes of Imperial Japan, including mass slavery, before you guys figure out that “they’re just ignorant of our history” isn’t a good excuse.
Okay, who has a backup?
