Blackface row reignites racism debate in Singapore, stirring outcry for action

The latest incident involved JDM Automobile Carros Centre, which came under fire after posting a video featuring a salesman with dark face paint promoting a Toyota Noah Hybrid. The now-deleted two-minute clip included images of African people accompanied by a laugh track, stirring outrage online. Screenshots shared on Reddit drew accusations of racism from users.

“Even if this [is] meant to be for humour, I didn’t find it funny,” wrote one user. “You can create funny content without having to paint a blackface,” another remarked.

It follows an earlier incident in which a student from the prestigious Raffles Institution dressed as a dark-skinned delivery rider on Racial Harmony Day – observed each year in the city state on July 21 – leading the school to discipline and counsel those involved.