The popular Japanese rock-pop band Mrs. GREEN APPLE removed
the music video for its new song, “ Columbus ,” from YouTube
this Thursday, after receiving criticism of racism and ignorance from
users on social networks . The video was online for less than a day.
皆さんコロンブスのMV叩かないでください。コロンブスはコロンブス好きですよ#コロンブス #MrsGREENAPPLE#炎上 #ミセス炎上#コロンブスMV pic.twitter.com/zxGv4wqvKo
— コロンブス (@Columbus1451825) June 13, 2024
The video for “Columbus” showed the
three members of the group dressed as historical figures ,
including Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, encountering ape-like
characters . Mrs. Green Apple then educates and apparently controls
the simian men, making them pull carts and wave at them.
The song “Columbus” was released at
midnight on Wednesday, and the video arrived later that night. Criticism came
quickly. Users expressed their discontent in the comments section of the clip
and on the social platform Twitter, calling the video ignorant and bordering on
racist.
The main problem seemed to be the
inaccurate portrayal of Columbus, traditionally seen as the navigator who
discovered North America, but who also brutalized the continent's indigenous
communities. Others pointed out how the
treatment of simian men resembled colonization and perpetuated racist
stereotypes. Some went further, questioning whether the simian
characters were intended to represent “primitive” communities from other lands.
Around 3 pm on Thursday (Japan Time),
Mrs. GREEN APPLE removed the “Columbus” clip from YouTube. The band posted a
statement on their official website shortly after, apologizing for the video
and explaining that their original intention was to feature historical figures
at a "fun house party."
The planning director of the “Columbus” video was
Mrs. GREEN APPLE vocalist Motoki Ohmori. The song and video were part
of The Coca-Cola Co.'s “Coke Studio” music initiative, which sees famous
artists create original songs and videos, often featuring Coca-Cola products in
prominent locations.
Mrs. Green Apple formed in 2013 and in
recent years has become one of the biggest J-pop acts. The trio is made up of
Ohmori, guitarist Hiroto Wakai and keyboardist Ryoka Fujisawa. For
the anime industry, they have performed musical themes for franchises such as
“ Fire Force (Enen no Shouboutai)”, “ Fastest Finger
First (Nana Maru San Batsu)”, “ Yu☆Gi☆Oh!
Arc-V ”, and “ Boukyaku Battery ”,
to name a few.
Source TheJapan Times
