A television personality for the Mexican network Televisa has fallen into the internet’s crosshairs after posting images and videos of herself in “brownface” earlier this week to depict herself as Yalitza Aparicio, the Oscar-nominated star of Netflix’s Roma.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Yeka Rosales’ posts were intended to promote the network’s season premiere of its comedy show La Parodia. Several images and videos featured Rosales with thickened lips, darkened skin, and a black wig while she showed off an Oscar statuette. Aparicio, who is indigenous Oaxacan, received an Oscar nomination for her role as Cleo in the award-winning film Roma.
Rosales defended herself against online criticism, explaining that she extends her brand of comedy to all races. A Televisa spokesperson denounced Rosales’ posts as racist, however, telling the Associated Press, “We do not believe that the production of ‘La Parodia’ engages in this type of practice.” Some of the show’s content would be edited for “bad taste,” they added. The network also subsequently removed a video tweet of Rosales further parodying the actress.
Even with some of the offensive content taken down, Twitter users still weren’t having it. Many called the stunt unfunny and worthy of Rosales’ removal.
https://twitter.com/blesjuel2/status/1103058876658786306
My heart breaks for Yalitza Aparicio, but let this be a wake-up call for my fellow Latinos and Latinas, and for everyone else watching the #YekaRosales situation. We’ve allowed this discrimination to continue for ages – it needs to stop now.
— Maya Camargo-Vemuri (🇨🇴 | 🇮🇳) (@camargovemuri) March 5, 2019
#YekaRosales is now arguing on her Twitter that it’s a parody. That’s not parody. That’s a flat out racist attack.
— Mary Cummins 💎 (@MaryCummins1) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mahmex2MJ/status/1103072187097980929
https://twitter.com/Caramellatt3/status/1103051307529646081
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