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Sam Okyere opens up about Korean high school students' recent 'blackface' costumes in interview with 'BBC News'

AKP STAFF
Posted by Susan-Han Thursday, August 20, 2020

Ghanaian TV personality Sam Okyere, known for his various appearances on Korean variety shows, recently took part in an interview with 'BBC News' to discuss his perspective on the Euijeongbu High School students' controversial graduation costumes. 

Previously, students from Euijeongbu High School became a heated issue after they recreated costumes worn by Ghana's famous dancing pallbearers. The topic of debate centered around the fact that the students painted their faces "black", commonly known as "blackface". 

In his 'BBC News' interview, TV personality Sam Okyere said, "I think a lot of people misunderstood. They thought that my intent was to call out and bash the kids, but I understand that the kids did not mean to cause any harm. They thought that they were doing a parody, they might as well do it in detail. It was coming from a misinformed place, not from wanting to mock black people." 

He continued, "I feel like the people did not know the history behind 'blackface', and why it is offensive. People didn't really understand or grasp that concept and went, 'Oh it's just a parody', but some were able to make the connection."

Listen to Sam Okyere's full interview, here

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isavebears
isavebears392 pts Thursday, August 20, 2020 20
Thursday, August 20, 2020

thats brave cause no matter what he says he'll be attacked. koreans claim to love black people so much but only love them when theyre silent and not visible anywhere. as soon as black people start taking up space anywhere or having opnions koreans get very annoyed fast

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Deni45
Deni45741 pts Thursday, August 20, 2020 6
Thursday, August 20, 2020

Yes the work of his fans are getting him the attention he needs in the right places so Koreans can not hide behind pretending to be ignorant while attacking him with racism and telling him to go home.

I have been pushing with other fans to try and get it mainstream media in England, in America and Europe have already been picked up in Africa

I have personally posted it in Black lives matter ✊🏿 London as I am proud of his for speaking up.

He has done nothing wrong, if he is not qualified to speak out on Black face and racism in Korea then who is? Instead of bashing him with racist talk it would be good if Koreans could educate themselves on racism.

The nonsense about racism is an American thing is even more baffling racism is a world thing, every country has their problem with racism. when America, catches on that how Korea see racism let’s hope it goes down well.

In most K-dramas, they always off to America and the racist President Trump is not nice to Asians - no he is being racist to Asians lately so be careful of how you treat others.

There is no excuse in 2020 for Black Face if the children did not know the school and those in authority should have known better.

#Fighting Sam

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