Katy Perry performed her latest hit, “Unconditionally,” at the American Music Awards Sunday and almost instantly sparked accusations of racism, since she dressed like a geisha. However, an Asian American group is defending the PRISM singer’s actions, stating that it was clearly an homage and not meant to be racist.
As the performance aired on ABC, many took to Twitter to slam Perry. “If there is a way to adorably appropriate an entire culture without seeming a teensy bit racist, Katy Perry did not find it,” one person wrote.
But the Media Action for Asian Americans group sent a statement to TheWrap suggested that the performance could actually bring new interest in Japanese culture, just like the Beatles inspired interest in Indian culture.
“We did not find Katy Perry’s performance at Sunday night’s American Music Awards to be offensive. It’s not racist for a non-Asian person to wear Asian clothes,” president Aki Aleong said. “If it was so, the Beatles would’ve been criticized for wearing Nehru jackets back in the ‘60s. By going to India, learning meditation, dressing in Indian clothes, and George Harrison taking a fondness to the sitar, the Beatles brought attention to Indian culture and enabled it to be considered and enjoyed by millions across the world.”
Aleong noted that Perry has said in past interviews that she has an interest in Japanese culture, so they think she was paying tribute and not trying to be racist.
This isn’t the first time a Perry performance has drawn ire from a group. In September, PETA slammed her “Roar” video, citing her use of real animals.
image: ABC/Matt Brown