The host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, took to Twitter to apologize for his comments on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
In a recent episode of The Daily Show, Noah spoke out on various topics going on around the world like Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, Canadian schools and the tension between Indian-Pakistan. Noah commented that if India and Pakistan ever go to war, it would be “the most entertaining war of all time.” He then acts out an Indian soldier on the battle ground who sings a war cry and suddenly break out into a Bollywood dance number. He also mentions how this would be the longest war of all time because the soldiers would simply keep doing “another dance number.”
Noah received a lot of flak on social media for his comments which were called “racist”, “stereotypical” and “offensive”.
A lot of Indian celebrities tweeted out how discomforting the whole segment was and were disappointed in Noah doing such jokes on his show.
Zainab Sikander criticized him saying, “It’s sad when someone who’s had a violent past mocks war through a Bollywood stereotype. @Trevornoah’s mother was shot in the head by her husband (Trevor’s stepfather). Imagine someone making fun of it with a Xhosa stereotype – the tribe his mum belongs to.”
It’s sad when someone who’s had a violent past mocks war through a Bollywood stereotype. @Trevornoah ‘s mother was shot in the head by her husband(Trevor’s stepfather).Imagine someone making fun of it with a Xhosa stereotype – the tribe his mum belongs topic.twitter.com/pUFrm3Iavv
— Zainab Sikander (@zainabsikander) March 2, 2019
Noah responded to the tweet, saying that comedy was his way of processing “pain and discomfort” and that he has made jokes about his mother being shot in the head.
Actually if you watch my stand up you’ll see that I did make jokes after my mother was shot in the head. As a comedian I use comedy to process pain and discomfort in my world but I am sorry that this hurt you and others, that’s not what I was trying to do. https://t.co/OuVnkHyIfG
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 2, 2019
Noah later put out another tweet defending his comments, saying it was “amazing” how his jokes became more popular on social media than the actual news about the incident.
It’s amazing to me that my joke about the conflict in India and Pakistan trended more than the story of the actual conflict itself. Sometimes it seems like people are more offended by the jokes comedians make about an issue than the issue itself.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 2, 2019
Actress Swara Bhasker and Comedian Monica Dua criticized Noah for this tweet.
Trevor, as an admirer of ur work pls let me say.. the problem was not the topic of ur joke but what u chose to say. It was lazy & patronising & reeking Of first world arrogance & colonial stereotypes.. Disappointing in a person as aware as u @Trevornoah @ComedyCentral https://t.co/9hCui11YeX
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) March 3, 2019
Again @Trevornoah pls drop this America centric condescension. the topic of the conflict was the ONLY thing trending in India & Pak this past week & numerous liberal Indians & Pakistanis petitioned their govt.s to de-escalate the conflict & sued 4 peace. This is not about YOU! https://t.co/9hCui1jz6v
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) March 3, 2019
It’s amazing to me that people who are distanced from the effects of the particular context of violence & conflict themselves, feel self righteous that people affected by the conflict may not have like their insensitive joke!!!! Get over yourself guys! @Trevornoah @ComedyCentral
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) March 3, 2019
Shockingly unintelligent & tone deaf What makes it sadder is that @Trevornoah cracked such a below average, shit joke. Something Russel Peters probably threw in the bin before his first open mic in life. If you’re going to be a racist comic than at least get the comic bit right. https://t.co/r23s9eCiuK
— Mallika Dua (@MallikaDua) March 1, 2019
But not everyone was livid about Noah’s jokes. Some users actually found it funny and entertaining. One Twitter user said, “Trevor isn’t a policymaker nor a stakeholder in India and Pakistan’s politics. All he does is joke from afar. The outrage is as unnecessary as it is pointless.”
Laughed at the Trevor Noah bit abt India. Laughed when he made fun of Imran Khan too. Then I moved on. Trevor isn’t a policymaker nor a stakeholder in India and Pakistan’s politics. All he does is joke from afar. The outrage is as unnecessary as it is pointless.
— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) March 2, 2019
I thought @trevornoah‘s joke was funny! Come on people! Its a reference to Bollywood, which we must admit is often (endearingly) absurd and has great song and dance numbers. https://t.co/W0kawwcchS
— Sarah Haider (@SarahTheHaider) March 3, 2019
Watch the video below:
(Header Credit – Instagram, Trevor Noah)
