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A social media influencer has come under intense criticism
after posting a parody video mocking the accent of an Indian woman recently
arrested for shoplifting in the U.S. The original incident, captured on police
bodycam footage, showed the woman pleading with officers, asking if she could
pay for the items instead of facing arrest.
The influencer’s recreation of the clip received sharp
backlash from Cassandra Jerome, an Indian-origin content creator. In a
response video posted on Instagram, Jerome called out the portrayal as a form
of casual racism, questioning why accents continue to be used as a cheap
punchline.
“I’m not going to sit here on a high horse and say
stereotypes can’t be funny,” Jerome said. “But when the entire joke rests on
how someone talks, it starts to feel lazy—and ignorant.”
Jerome acknowledged that accent-based humour can be
effective when done with intelligence and context. However, she argued that
mocking the way people speak, especially those from marginalized communities,
often reveals more about the joker’s worldview than anything else.
“If your entire joke is just that an Indian person sounds
different, that’s not humour—it’s narrow-mindedness,” she added. “When does it
stop being funny?”
Her video sparked a broader online discussion. Many users
shared their own experiences of being mocked for their accents in schools,
workplaces, and social settings.
One user commented, “There are so many Indian accents—north,
south, urban, rural—but everyone just mimics the same exaggerated version.”
Another wrote, “It’s ironic how people demand respect for
their own identities but mock others without a second thought.”
Cassandra’s message was clear: accents are a normal part
of people’s identity and not something to be ridiculed. “Expand your
horizons and leave us alone,” she said.
The controversy has reignited debate about the line between
humour and disrespect, especially in the age of viral content.
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