An Australian comedian is facing fierce backlash after she posted a video of herself appearing to mock Aboriginal people.
Lisa Jane Spencer posted the video to her social media account on Tuesday morning, depicting herself in a mock interview as a character named Aunty Lisa, captioned with: “Aboriginal person”.
“I started identifying as a black fella a few months ago … And I finally feel at peace with who I am, one of the mob,” Spencer said.
The video then cut to the comedian dancing barefoot, chanting and singing, while she clapped two sticks together.
“Aboriginal identity transcends skin colour. I am Aboriginal, end of story,” Spencer, who covered herself in white face paint for the video, then said.
She then appears to sniff petrol from a red jerry can. The video also featured an SBS Insight logo in the top right corner of the screen.
Backlash to the problematic skit was swift, with many taking to social media to call out the comedian.
“This is deeply disturbing and insensitive. Please remove this,” remarked one person.
“Racism isn’t comedy,” another insisted.
A spokesman for SBS also slammed the comedian.
“SBS is aware of these posts and the unauthorised use of SBS logos. The posts and individuals are in no way associated with our content and have been reported,” said the spokesman.
“SBS unequivocally condemns all forms of racism and recognises the damaging impact it has on individuals, communities and social cohesion. Such views have no place in Australian society.”
Following the criticism on social media, Spencer told news.com.au that she has no intention of apologising to anyone.
“I stand by the jokes. This is comedy. I make fun of everyone equally. Plenty of people loved the video. I find the welcome to country offensive,” she said.
She also addressed criticism on social media, taking to Instagram to insist that she was simply making a “joke” and that she likes to “push boundaries”.
“I love Aboriginal people. And I think they’re smart enough to know when they’re being used,” she wrote, adding that “petrol sniffing happens” because “AI will tell you”.
“It’s a very real thing in remote Australia.”
“My joke was first about how easy it is to perform identity for attention and/or benefits. If a man can dress like a woman, play out stereotypes of what women do, and win thousands in a court case, then I can satirise white people claiming Aboriginal heritage benefits. The petrol at the end of my skit was the punchline, just as my Indian videos where I took a squat,” she said.
“And although you’re entitled to feeling offended, you’re also proving my point: you need victimhood. There’s nothing stopping you from taking the joke and laughing.
“And so I apologise to absolutely nobody. Not to the Aboriginals… Indians… and anyone else who I have and will continue to make jokes.”
Refusing to apologise or taken the video down, she finished by adding: “This is comedy. If you can’t make jokes about certain people and things, then that is a form of privilege and hierarchy, and comedy is about tearing those down. this is what I do, I push boundaries… and that’s never going to change.”