Brazilian police announced Wednesday that they have opened an investigation into an influencer duo accused of “recreational racism.” Videos are posted on their networks where they distribute bananas or stuffed monkeys to black children.
“Kerollen and Nancy”, as the two influencers introduce themselves, a mother and her daughter, are followed by more than 17 million netizens on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. The scandal broke when videos posted on their accounts showed them talking to black children on the street in Rio de Janeiro, asking them if they would rather receive money or a gift.
Reported videos
In one of these videos, a child has to choose between a 10 real bill (about 1.8 euros) and a package wrapped in red wrapping paper. Choose the package, which contains a banana.
In another video, a girl chooses to open a gift box containing a stuffed monkey. These videos were removed after black activist Fayda Belo denounced them as a case of “recreational racism.”
Denied Charges
Prosecutors said they had received more than 690 complaints from Internet users about these videos. “These videos will be analyzed and an investigation has been opened,” Rio police said in a statement.
In a statement posted on their Instagram account, a lawyer for the two women said they were “shocked” by the allegations and “vehemently deny any form of racial discrimination.”
Asked by AFP, the influencers, who mainly post beauty tips or videos of evangelical religious services and gospel concerts, did not respond.
Source: BFM TV
