A couple of days ago, I made a humorous satirical comment on the makansutra board. Pertaining to the topic entitled, “GONG LI: Welcome To Singapore, Gong Li!”.
I wrote “Has anyone checked Gong Li for melamine yet?”
About 2 hours later, I was surprised to receive this comment from the makansutra Moderator.
“Subject: Racist Comment
Dear forum member,
A gentle reminder to be mindful as this is a forum for foodies by foodies, and while there are opportunities to address non-food related topics in a separate forum within the website, please stray away from posting sensitive (or insensitive) details on topics pertaining to religion, politics and race. (This guideline is applicable to the contents of your personal signatures, external links and avatar images as well)
We will not hesitate to ban or remove any member that has such inclination to do so.
Your post on Gong Li has since been removed.
Regards
Moderator”
Surprised and offended that my remark was mistaken as a ‘racist’ jab, I replied:
“Dear Moderator,
I respect and accept your authority to moderate any post that you see fit, however, I do take offence by your labeling of my post as a ‘racist comment’.
It was a satirical comment that was a humorous jab at China’s poor standards for product exportation. Simply put, it was a current affairs joke.
It was be no means racist or derogatory as it did not make fun of inherit racial or ethnic qualities associated with being Chinese.”
Perhaps the Moderator has formed racial stereotypes of the Chinese Nationals having melamine in their persons.
Considering KF Seetoh’s easy-going and humorous nature, I was disappointed to find such over-sensitive censorship on the makansutra board.
“Oi Moderator, don’t be so serious lah.”
P.S When the same remark was made on mr brown’s blog, not only was it not censored, but mr brown liked it enough to feature the comment.
