Samantha Katie James, the former Miss Universe Malaysia 2017 has sparked outrage on social media for criticizing the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in the US over the death of African American, George Floyd.
25-year-old, Samantha had taken to her Instagram Stories to call protesters, who are speaking up against police brutality towards African Americans and racism “foolish humans.”
The model and actress declared that the reactions shown by protesters were apparently proof that the “whites won.”
“I don’t live in America and it has nothing to do with me, but to me, it seems like the ‘whites’ won. If you’re angry, you response in rage and anguish and that means it has power over you. They have power over you. Foolish humans. (sic)”
Addressing black people, she wrote,
“To the black people: Relax, take it as a challenge, makes you stronger. You chose to be born as a ‘coloured’ person in America for a reason. To learn a certain lesson. Accept it as it is, till now hunger and poverty still exists. It is what it is. It’s inevitable. Best you can do is remain calm, protect heart, don’t allow it to crumble. That’s your responsibility. “
The Miss Universe Malaysia Ogranisation also released a statement to distance themselves from Samantha’s views on the ongoing protests.
Part of their statement reads,
“Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) notes with dismay the recent social media posts made by Samantha Kate James, a past winner of Miss Universe Malaysia. We also note that these posts are inappropriate, offensive, unacceptable and hurtful.”
More than 15,000 people have so far signed a petition on Change.org for James’ crown to be revoked by Miss Universe Malaysia in light of her comments.
The petition against James claimed that she was unfit to represent Malaysia and seeks to compel the pageant runners to strip the latter of her crown and title.
“Her ignorance and lack of self and privilege awareness do not reflect the Miss Universe Malaysia title and with this petition, we hope she will be stripped of her title,” read the petition.
