Sex expert's 'Kung Fu Vagina' music video is slammed as 'highly offensive' and 'terribly racist'

A self-proclaimed holistic sex expert has come under fire for a music video called ‘Kung Fu Vagina,’ which rhapsodizes about jade eggs while embracing Asian stereotypes and yellowface.

Kim Anami debuted the video on social media this week to promote her ‘Vaginal Kung Fu Salon’ online course, proudly posting the clip of herself wearing stereotypical Asian costumes while singing a re-imagined version of the 1974 song ‘Kung Fu Fighting.’ 

But the promotional campaign quickly went awry when social media users accused her of being racist, dressing in yellowface, and mixing up Asian cultures, all while slamming the video as ‘highly offensive.’

Called out: A self-proclaimed holistic sex expert has come under fire for a music video called ‘Kung Fu Vagina,’ which rhapsodizes about jade eggs while embracing Asian stereotypes

Offensive: Kim Anami debuted the video online this week, posting the clip of herself wearing stereotypical Asian attire while singing a re-imagined version of 1974 song ‘Kung Fu Fighting’

Rough start: The clip begins with the name of the song in ‘wonton font,’ a style of typeface that mimics some of the visual characteristics of Asian writing systems

Anami has since deleted the video from Instagram and YouTube, but her tweet promoting it is still up.

‘That’s right,’ she wrote. ‘It’s Kung Fu Vagina. The music video! In honor of another season of my legendary Vaginal Kung Fu Salon, we now have our own song. Come and see all the amazing things vaginas can do!’

The eight-week Vaginal Kung Fu course promises to ‘Strengthen and Tone the Vagina and Turbo-Charge Your Orgasms’ — and while the name itself has been called problematic, it’s the music video that has left so many people furious and disgusted. 

As fashion watchdog Diet Prada points out, ‘The clichés are instant with the opening title design utilizing a “wonton font,” a style of typeface designed in the late 19th century to appropriate visual characteristics of Asian writing systems.’

Use of the font has been called lazy, racist, and unimaginative. 

‘Soon, the song reveals itself to be a parody of Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting,” the catchy but problematic disco song from 1974,’ Diet Prada goes on.

Dress-up: While the video includes some Asian women, everyone is dressed up in mock-Asian outfits, with chopsticks and even fans in their hair

Trouble: As several critics have pointed out, Anami’s video not only co-opts Asian cultures, but mixes them together, picking references from China, Japan, and even Thailand

In Anami’s version, the lyrics go: ‘Everybody wants a Kung Fu ‘gina / It starts with jade egg from China. / No need for lube or saliva / to become a vag messiah’

While the song was quite popular at the time of its release, both its lyrics and its melody have been called racist and a ‘caricature.’ 

In Anami’s version, the lyrics go: ‘Everybody wants a Kung Fu ‘gina / It starts with jade egg from China. / No need for lube or saliva / to become a vag messiah.’

In addition to the lyrics and font, Anami signals an Asian vibe with her costume, made up of a kimono — which is Japanese, not Chinese — and chopsticks in her hair. 

As Cosmopolitan’s Carina Hsieh points out, ‘The use of chopsticks in hair is widely known to be a reductive caricature of Asian culture.’

The scene is set with shoji screens, paper lanterns, souvenir robes, and other stereotypical ‘Asian’ decor.

As several critics have pointed out, Anami’s video not only co-opts Asian cultures, but mixes them together, picking references from China, Japan, and even Thailand and treating Asia as a ‘monolith.’

It wasn’t long before the video went viral, capturing the attention of thousands of critics. 

Stereotypes galore: Anami signals an Asian vibe with her costume, decor, and the use of acrobats

Furor: It wasn’t long before the video went viral, capturing the attention of thousands of critics 

‘Why? Why did this have to be made at all? Why couldn’t this have been made without using harmful “Oriental” tropes? But alas… white people,’ Diet Prada wrote

‘This video is so offensive. Do you not have any Asian friends?’ asked one critic

‘Why? Why did this have to be made at all? Why couldn’t this have been made without using harmful “Oriental” tropes? But alas… white people,’ Diet Prada wrote.

‘That’s right! A highly offensive and deeply problematic video to promote your business. Yay?’ one Twitter user commented.

‘I’m not looking forward to the teary eyed, non-apology apology that will be coming in 3-5 days,’ quipped another. 

‘This video is so offensive. Do you not have any Asian friends? If you did they’d tell you this was such a bad idea. I hope you take these criticisms to heart and take it down,’ said yet another.

Others have called the video ‘disgusting,’ ‘cringey,’ ‘trash,’ and ‘terribly racist.’

‘Widen your circles the point where one of your friends might tell you when you have bad ideas,’ one commenter advised.

‘It’s completely shocking and incomprehensible that you thought racism would be a cool marketing gimmick for your brand. A culture is not a costume. Wow,’ said another.

On Instagram, actress Jamie Chung, a second-generation Korean-American, wrote simply: ‘What. The. F***?’ 

Showing it off: Anami has since deleted the video from Instagram and YouTube, but her tweet promoting it is still up

Not happy: Commenters have called the video ‘disgusting,’ ‘cringey,’ ‘trash,’ and ‘terribly racist’

‘It’s 2021. They know what they’re doing. Don’t accept the apology that’s coming next week,’ another commenter chimed in. 

In addition to complaints about the song and music video, some sex experts have also come forward to slam Anami’s claims about jade eggs, countering that they don’t work and also ‘play into stereotypes of Chinese women from yellow peril.’

‘These ideas of the Chinese woman as sex mistress come from the late 1800s,’ Linda Fan, MD, director of the gynecology section at Yale Medicine, told Cosmopolitan.

‘Chinese men were working on the railroads and mines in the U.S., and the Chinese women were abducted and enslaved as prostitutes.

‘This is the sort of thing that perpetuates rape culture and allows the world to look the other way while sexual slave trade persists in Asia,’ Dr. Fan said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jennifer Gunter, an OB-GYN, stresses that using jade eggs and vaginal weights to strengthen pelvic floor muscles is no more beneficial than traditional Kegel exercises.

Anami hasn’t responded publicly to any of the backlash, and several commenters who have criticized her on Twitter claim they had been blocked. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to Anami for comment.  

Uproar: In January, three white women were accused of appropriating Chinese culture and ‘colonizing’ Mahjong by redesigning the tiles to be more ‘stylish’ and selling them for $425

New look: The Mahjong Line is a Dallas-based company that sells colorful Mahjong sets with reimagined designs — which the founders claim give it a ‘refresh’ to ‘elevate your game’

Founders: Kate LaGere, Annie O’Grady, and Bianca Watson launched The Mahjong Line in Dallas in November

While 2021 has only just begun, this is already the second time this year that a brand run by white women has been slammed for racism and appropriating Chinese culture. 

In early January, The Mahjong Line, a Dallas-based company that sells colorful Mahjong sets with reimagined designs, was accused of colonizing’ Mahjong by redesigning the tiles to be more ‘stylish’ and selling them for up to $425 a pop.

The brand’s founders claim their designs give the traditional game a ‘refresh’ to ‘elevate your game’ and will ‘bring Mahjong to the stylish masses.’

But critics on social media said it was just another egregious example of white people ‘colonizing BIPOC’s cultural heritage’ and that their ‘gentrification’ of a centuries-old game is offensive and unwelcome.

The Mahjong line launched on November 5, 2020, selling several sets of Mahjong tiles priced between $325 and $425. 

According to screengrabs from the brand’s website — which has since been deleted — the company was founded by Kate LaGere, who likes the game but said the traditional tiles ‘did not reflect the fun that was had when playing with her friends.’

‘And nothing came close to mirroring her style or personality,’ the site went on. 

She teamed up with her friends and Mahjong partners Annie O’Grady and Bianca Watson, and together the three ‘hatched a plan to bring Mahjong to the stylish masses.’ 

Bored! Kate said she likes the game but the traditional tiles (pictured) ‘did not reflect the fun that was had when playing with her friends’

Inappropriate? The website also explained that Katie couldn’t find anything that ‘came close to mirroring her style or personality’

They’re on it! The three women ‘hatched a plan to bring Mahjong to the stylish masses’

The women said their line gives Mahjong a ‘modern makeover’ and is ‘not your mama’s Mahjong.’ 

They claimed their tiles, which feature original artwork, could ‘elevate your game to a new level of giddiness,’ and are also easier to identify.

But when social media users became aware of the company, many were not impressed. 

The women of The Mahjong Line have been accused of cultural appropriation for taking license with the game, bad taste for the redesigns, gentrification for charging so much per set, and ignorance for whitewashing the history of the game.

Fashion watchdog Diet Prada shared a lengthy post about the controversy, writing: ‘It never ceases to amaze how white people can find new ways to colonize BIPOC’s cultural heritage.

‘They invite you to “celebrate the joie de vivre of mahjong” for no reason beyond white women loving French phrases?’ Diet Prada’s post went on.  

‘Meanwhile, references to Mahjong’s origins are scant, a mere three links under “history” and lines in the FAQ that do more to justify the whitewashing of the game than provide any history. ‘ 

In trouble: The women of The Mahjong Line were accused of cultural appropriation for taking license with the game

Not into it: Others slammed them for bad taste for the new designs

Though the women claimed the new design improves legibility, critics pointed out that they make it harder because all the sets are different and unrecognizable

‘American’? They’ve also been accused of whitewashing the history of the game, referring to ‘American’ Mahjong — though all Mahjong is Chinese in origin

Twitter users piled on the criticism as well.

‘So a bunch of white ladies decided to redesign mahjong for wHiTe GiRL aEsThEtiC (because traditional Chinese tiles were too boring and didn’t match their star signs), and had the caucasity to charge $425 for horribly design sets that make the game HARDER to play,’ wrote one.

‘I can’t believe I’m watching the gentrification of MAHJONG. I know my lola is screaming somewhere in heaven rn lmao,’ tweeted another.

‘If you want a Mahjong set, instead of wasting $400 on that disgusting ABOMINATION consider getting one from local craftsmen that are traditionally made if you can afford it! It’s a dying art, but hand-made tiles last forever,’ ranted a third. 

One Twitter user said her mother complained, ‘Why are they saying “roots in both Chinese and American cultures”. Just because the Americans adapted it doesn’t mean it is rooted from Americans. The American mahjong is still rooted from Chinese.’

Called out: Fashion watchdog Diet Prada shared a lengthy post about the controversy

Gone: Other critics have slammed them on social media, prompting The Mahjong Line to delete it’s website

Another griped: ‘Colonizers Annie, Bianca and Kate have discovered a new and improved tile game, once known as mahjong but now is a reflection of their individual style and fun. This is a textbook example of #culturalappropriation so happy 2021 everyone.’

‘They really said “mahjong is fun but the traditional art just isn’t aesthetic enough for my trendy western self” like… How can you say that and not see something wrong with it jeez,’ one more Twitter user pointed out.

One shared a promotional image of the set surrounded by props, including a copy of Murder on the Orient Express, writing: ‘LMAO not the Mahjong Line using the Agatha Christie book because it has the word Orient in it.’ 

One more complained: ‘”Mahjong didn’t reflect HER interests and HER fun personality so she changed it to suit her white aesthetic” is peak cultural appropriation.’

When the furor reached a fever pitch online, The Mahjong line deleted its website and issued an apology on Instagram. 

Sorry: They issued an apology for ‘failure to pay proper homage to the game’s Chinese heritage’

‘We launched this company in November of 2020 with pure intentions and a shared love for the game of American Mahjong, which carries a rich history here in the United States,’ they wrote.

‘Our mission is to combine our passion for art and color alongside the fun of the game while seeking to appeal to novices and experienced players alike. 

‘American Mahjong tiles have evolved for many decades and we’d like to be part of this evolution int he most respectful and authentic way possible. 

‘While our intent is to inspire and engage with a new generation of American mahjong players, we recognize our failure to pay proper homage to the game’s Chinese heritage. Using words like “refresh” were hurtful to many and we are deeply sorry. 

‘It’s imperative our followers know we never set out to ignore or misrepresent the origins of this game and know there are more conversations to be have and steps to take as we learn and grow. 

‘We are always open to constructive criticism and are continuing to conduct conversations with those who can provide further insight to the game’s traditions and roots in both Chinese and American cultures.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk

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