Africa Eye: Racism for sale

 

In February 2020 a shocking video began to circulate on Chinese social media. A group of African children are being instructed, by a voice off-camera, to chant phrases in Chinese. The kids repeat the words with smiles and enthusiasm — but they don't understand that what they're being told to say is " I am a black monster and my IQ is low."

The clip ignited outrage in China and beyond. But no-one ever answered some crucial questions: why was this filmed? Where was it shot? Who made it?

These questions send BBC Africa Eye reporters Runako Celina and Henry Mhango on a journey into a Chinese video-making industry that exploits vulnerable children across the continent.

Videos Show Aftermath of Russian Attacks in Ukraine

 

Ukraine’s forces make ‘fierce resistance’ in Chernobyl zone, officials say. On Day 1 of the first major land war in Europe in decades, the Russian military plunged into Ukraine by land, sea and air, killing dozens of Ukrainian soldiers, and ominously touching off a pitched battle at the highly radioactive Chernobyl exclusion zone that risked damaging the cement-encased nuclear reactor that melted down in 1986. The day began before sunrise with the terrifying thud of artillery strikes on airports and military installations all over Ukraine. And by sunset, Russian special forces and airborne troops were pushing into the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv. While the ultimate goal of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and his generals remained unclear, American officials assessed that the end game was likely the decapitation of Ukraine’s government and the replacement of its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, with a Russian-controlled puppet regime.

Netizens speak up over video of kidnapping prank in Japan posted by American YouTuber duo

Duo claims the prank was staged, but Japanese netizens aren’t buying it.

The Paul Logan fiasco has raised Japanese netizens’ awareness of YouTubers who seem to take joy in causing havoc in Japan. Some of them have begun searching for more of such videos, and have unearthed one taken last September by American YouTuber duo, Dan Rue and Nick Joseph.

In the video, Dan is having a whale of a time grabbing lobsters from a fresh seafood store with his hands while Nick provides commentary making fun of the Japanese language. Dan is then seen walking up to a mother and child before grabbing the infant in his arms. The little girl screams and Dan makes a run for it, with the mother giving chase behind.

Train otaku’s YouTube channel is packed full of funky music videos dedicated to stations

Rock to the beat of station names and level up your knowledge of Japan’s railway system while you’re at it.

There are many types of train otakus in Japan, 36 in total to be exact, but what they all share in common is an obsession with all things related to trains. Whether it be railway safety or timetables, these hobbyists take great delight in immersing themselves in the world of trains.

Obakyu super express LSE / 胡瓜P is a YouTube channel dedicated to the many train stations scattered all over Japan. The videos all have accompanying music sung by vocaloids, but what makes them truly special is that the lyrics are completely made up of train station names. Here are just a few of them.