Ex-Miss Universe Malaysia under fire for ‘chose to be born as coloured person’ remark

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 1 Jun 2020 9:37PM · 7 Comments

Former Miss Universe Malaysia Samantha Katie James sparks outrage over her controversial remarks on the black lives movement in the US. – Facebook pic, June 1, 2020.

FORMER Miss Universe Malaysia Samantha Katie James has drawn flak over her controversial remarks on the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States.

The 25-year-old weighed in on the protests on her Instagram Stories, saying the way protesters have reacted shows 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 respond in rage and anguish and that means it has power over you. They have power over you,” she said.

James drew more outrage by saying that African Americans should “relax” and “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,” said James, who is of Malaysian Chinese-Brazilian heritage.

James, in a response to a social media user who asked what she meant when she said people chose to be born with a certain skin colour, said that “our souls chose this life, this country, this race, this human form”.

“I always wondered why I was born in Malaysia, as a white girl, with a Chinese mum and Indian grandparents and a Brazilian dad.

“But I chose this all for a reason. As a soul,” she said.

James also related how she had been insulted “all her life” for being “a white girl in a local Malaysian school”.

Social media users have since slammed James’ remarks, with many calling her dumb and an “absolute disgrace”, as well as calling for her crown to be revoked by Miss Universe Malaysia.

Other users said James should use the platform given to her to speak up on issues such as racism.

“Samantha Katie James said that black Americans chose to be black and I have no words. This is absolutely appalling,” said Twitter user @enyaasun.

Trolls also took things up a notch by editing James’ Wikipedia page by introducing her as a “racist”.

Meanwhile, The Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (Mumo), in a statement, acknowledged “with dismay” the remarks made by James.

“We also note that these posts are inappropriate, offensive, unacceptable and hurtful.

“The views expressed on her personal Instagram account, are her own personal views and are neither the view nor position of Mumo.

“Mumo stands for a non-racial society and strongly condemns all acts of racism and prejudice anywhere in the world,” it said, adding that James has not represented the organisation since June 2018. 

Protests erupted across several US cities in recent days after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man who died in Minnesota after a white police officer pinned him to the ground and knelt on the back of his neck for more than eight minutes.

A video of the May 25 incident spread like wildfire on social media, triggering anger and unrest as activists took to the streets to speak out against racism and police brutality. – June 1, 2020.

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Comments

  • Ugly and brainless.

    Posted 3 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • The level of ignorance displayed by this woman is unbelievable!!

    Posted 3 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • I think shes on to something. She identifies as a white girl though born to a Chinese mum, Brazilian Dad & Indian Grandparents. If George Floyd had said he was Swedish and couldnt breathe maybe things would be different.

    Posted 3 years ago by P P · Reply

  • This is the result of not understanding religion and mixing up reincarnation and karma and whatever esoteric mumbo jumbo she has picked up and come up with our souls chose where they want to born and to which parents. At least I don't recognise this take on why injustice prevails for certain people.

    Posted 3 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Your soul? Everybody has some ideas what it's is but nobody knows exactly what is soul. So don't take an abstract thing into discussion , and u know for sure u actually don't know what's a soul. We discuss intellectually on the context of scientifically proven facts and figures , acceptable norms and values and various believes. Nobody can choose your race and color. U r borne determined at a time u learnt and understand what is race and religion. The community forces act and react based on perceived injustice, unfair policies and actions and discrimination and exploitation. This is how the society adjust itself naturally and democratically to find a balance. Your naive perception on implicit authority of superiority by virtue of been reacted by an inferior group and declared loser is truely unfounded. Your unwelcome comment to declared whites as winner based on your personal experience on your inheritance complexity and biased thinking reflects obviously on your immaturity and limited exposure. Pls explore the world with good guidence and experience and widen your comprehension on societal happenings with good depth and advice.

    Posted 3 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • What a sad despicable sad low life of a human being. She is an embarrassment to all Malaysians. Is this the best that we can send to the world stage.

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahrizal Hisham Abdul Halim · Reply

  • maybeeee pretty but definitely brainless

    Posted 3 years ago by . . · Reply