NetEase Interview with Shanghai Black Girl Lou Jing

“Shanghai Black Girl Lou Jing (娄婧)” became popular on the Chinese internet because of the brutal comments and attacks online over her ethnic background and her skin color. Readers also strongly commented on the blog post 2 weeks ago on the issues of racial discrimination in China as well as the moral debate over her mother’s “extramarital affair”. On September 14^th 2009 Netease reports, recently Jing Lou accepted an exclusive interview with NetEase news, responded to the controversy of her personal life and skin color.

Lou Jing’s mother is from Shanghai, father is an African American. With her black skin, Lou Jing stood out among the competitors of “Go! Oriental Angels” competition reality show. But her perfect Shanghainese and Mandarin also shocked the audiences. After she advanced into the top five of “Go! Oriental Angels” in Shanghai district, she was named “Halle Berry of the east”, “Black Beauty”, Lou Jing made into the top 30 of the country. However at the same time the controversial discussions over her personal life on the Chinese internet have never stopped.

According to a short video on Oriental TV, Lou Jing was born in a single parent family. Her American father did not know Lou Jing’s mother was pregnant, “because of various reasons” he left China, Lou Jing was raised by her mother alone. Because of her unique life experience and skin color, more and more netizens jumped onto the band wagon of insulting Lou Jing. On August 30^th, a person with the user name of “Lou Jing” issued an announcement on KDS. (I have also mentioned it in my last post) And this announcement let to more controversy. When interviewed with Netease face to face, Lou Jing again said, her parents’ extramarital sex was a pure rumor, and she has never made the announcement on KDS. She said that the incident has caused great harm to her and her family. She hopes that everyone can be more tolerant, hope netizens “do not misunderstand me anymore, quickly let this thing pass.”

In addition, different from when she was on the Oriental TV show, which she was in tears when talked about her father, Lou Jing told Netease news that she did not particularly want to find her father. “All of sudden, if I find him who has my blood, but was never there for 20 years, I think it is not unnecessary.” She also read out in front of the camera Zhou Guoping’s (周国平) poem addressed to his daughter (described in a sense of the sanctity of fatherhood). Lou Jing said, to her she has no concept of the word “father,” it only means half of the mother.

Finally Lou Jing spoke in Shanghai dialect that she and her mother have already applied for World Expo volunteers. She welcomed netizens to come to 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The Interview
[pro-player width=’400′ height=’300′ type=’video’]http://www.chinahush.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/20090914-interview.flv[/pro-player]

1. I gave myself 80 points (out of 100)

Netease: Lou Jing, Why did you join “Oriental Angels” competition?

Lou Jing: In fact, to tell the truth it is because teachers from school applied for us, and then I actually have couple of my classmates going with me, and there are quite a few in my school also, so we went as a group.

Netease: How is your performance after going through the competition?

Lou Jing: First when I was selected in Shanghai, first day I was very very nervous, that day first time performing in the plaza, there were over 200 people standing on the stairs and looking down at the competition. Also there were judges, would tell you the results at the same day, including some performers didn’t even finish singing, the judges would ring the bell and tell them they did not need to continue singing anymore. I was calling my mother since the preliminary competition, “Mom, Mom please hurry up and come, I don’t dare to go on stage if you don’t come.” Mom was working but still came to see me compete. Even though I did not win the pass to move on right there but the judges called me in two hours to ask me to attend the semi-finals. From Shanghai competition to Shanghai top 5 only took seven days, suddenly, how did I become the top 5 of Shanghai?

Netease: How many points do you think you give your performance?

Lou Jing: 80 points, because I think I have more courage than before (laugh).

Netease: When were you eliminated?

Lou Jing: When from top 30 to top 12.

Netease: You didn’t make into the top 12?

Lou Jing: No, in fact I expected it. I think top 12 competition was becoming increasingly fast paced, that is the time to prepare was two days, then later only one day. In fact, I do not have a strong background in singing and dancing, so this kind of competition was more tiring for me, and also the audiences did not have very good visual sense. So I expected to be eliminated.

2. Two Nick names, “Gong Gong” (戆戆) , “Little Black” (小黑)

Netease: I see the information that you have several nicknames as a child one is called “Gong Gong”.

Lou Jing: Yes, “Gong Gong” in Shanghai dialect means “stupid”.

Netease: Stupid? Why do they give you this name?

Lou Jing: Because I do not get angry at people. For example, generally my mother always taught me to be generous, tolerant. So to my classmates, when I thought I was angry, other people think, this is called angry? It’s like I cannot get angry, always ok, ok and only know how to help people. Another stupid thing is when you are good to others, others might not necessarily be good to you, and then I would think it does not matter. Anyway, I think I am good to other people then I am happy, but other people think I am stupid like that, therefore classmates gave me this nickname.

Netease: Another nickname is “Little Black”?

Lou Jing: Yes, this is coming from skin color, only my close friends call me this, normally no one else calls me that.

Netease: Isn’t calling you this “racial”?

Lou Jing: Not racial, because we are close, normally middle school and high school classmates that are close to me and sit around me in class call me that. But they are weird, when they heard other people calling me that, they would say “Who told you to call her that? This is our exclusive name for her.” It’s like that.

Netease: Were you angry?

Lou Jing: First time I was then I got use to it. Because when we were little, classmates were very close, also when we were little, we had good intentions. Other people gave me nickname I also gave them nicknames. (Laugh)

Netease: Hm, I saw some of your childhood pictures on the internet, and you had happy similes, when did you realize that your skin color is different than other children?

Lou Jing: I think, maybe because you are always in the same environment, when in the same environment, other people will get use to it. When used to it, they will not say anything anymore, but every time when you change to a new environment, other people will say how come her skin color is different from others, then I realized at that time.

Netease: How are you not used to it?

Lou Jing: I didn’t feel it when I was little. When growing up I guess I feel that, but not very particular because it takes not too long to become acquainted to the surrounding environment. Generally, it’s when I go out and see people I do not know. It’s ok if I didn’t talk. When I talked, people would then start to discuss, at that time, I felt so annoyed, it’s like again??? kind of feeling.

3. I am not stupid, I am just kind

Netease: I remember you said it caused inconvenience to you because of your skin color at early age. What inconvenience? Can you give an example?

Lou Jing: There is no inconvenience as a child. Now it is quite inconvenient, particularly after participated in this competition. I do not recall any childhood memory of inconvenience. As the old saying says “When god closes the door on you, at the same time he opens another window for you.” Normally, when I go out occasionally other people would say something, most of them with good intentions. But there are people with not so good intentions, they would insult me. But just a few words, I listen to them and let it pass. I think, it’s just annoying, as long as people around me all are very good to me and that is enough. After participating in this completion, I finally found out, the world is not like what I thought it was. (Laugh)

Netease: Is there time you feel especially angry? That is to hear what other people say to you?

Lou Jing: Does this competition count? (Laugh) Maybe it’s this competition, I feel the media, some media, said some things are very irresponsible, and not true also. Well, it was very helpless. After all, they are just ordinary petty people who cannot do anything.

Netease: How about at the scene of the completion?

Lou Jing: At the scene… yes there is. I saw the fake KDS tour online, there were people came to the competition, they said how come the top 5 of Shanghai all look like this? And calling me “Black Chimpanzee” and such… there are many.

Netease: So how do you respond?

Lou Jing: I don’t care. If they love to talk then let them talk. After all, if you are out here to compete, you must accept other people talking about you. You also cannot control other people’s mouth then just let them say it.

Netease: When you were growing up, you may see other people’s fathers, and you don’t have a father. Do you remember when you first asked your mother about this question?

Lou Jing: When I was about 7, 8 years old.

Netease: How did you mother respond?

Lou Jing: Mother’s response, are not willing to answer me. So then I never asked again. When I do things… if mother does not like it then I would not do it.

Netease: When did you start to know about your birth?

Lou Jing: My 18th birthday.

Netease: How was it?

Lou Jing: During my birthday, when my mom was eating the cake, she suddenly told me very calmly, so I accepted it very calmly.

Netease: You just said that as a child you are very timid. Does that mean you are different from other children?

Lou Jing: That may be it. Maybe when you are different, when you survive in this environment, it’s better to be transparent. It’s not timid, it’s really not wanting to be noticed. I was like this when I was young. For example, when teacher asked us a question, I knew the correct answer but I would not raise my hand. I wanted the teacher to hurry up and call my name, why still not calling my name. (Laugh) Then teach asked one student, he did not know the answer, then I wanted the teacher to call me, call me please. But I would never raise my hand. I am not a student who likes the attention, I am very low key.

Netease: I saw an article you wrote said you are a girl who likes to laugh.

Lou Jing: That’s correct.

Netease: Using the words of McDull to describe yourself, she is not stupid, she is kind.

Lou Jing: When I was watching McDull my classmate called me and said, Lou Jing, Lou Jing, a phrase in McDull suites you very well. I asked which phrase. He said, “You are not stupid you are just kind.” I was angry at the time, I am very smart! (Laugh) Then I was thinking about it, it is true. Because I am good to everything, I don’t care. This kind of person, if everyone else is happy, then it’s ok. That is why he used this phrase to describe me.

4. “Four points announcement” was ridiculous

Netease: I remembered you said you want to become a famous host in the future. But after participated in this competition a lot of people got to know you this way which is not what you expected, and until now do you regret participated in this program?

Lou Jing: No, Certainly I have no regrets. Because no one forced me to sign up, I volunteered myself. During the course, directors and staffs were particularly good to me. But those developments after the completion are something myself and the program could not control. Therefore I do not regret.

Netease: I saw the “Four point announcement” online, then you said you did not write them?

Lou Jing: People who knew me, people who have talked to me all knew this statement was not written by me. When I saw it, I was like if you are going to make a statement please make a normal statement. Don’t make this weird statement.

Netease: The tone is not like you.

Lou Jing: Yes, his tone was weird. “Everything was not my fault.” I am the kind of person if anyone has anything I would rush to help, I would never say it’s not my fault. And I happened to be performing that day, when I saw it, it was issued on August 30^th and I was busy all day didn’t even have time to eat. From 9 am to 2 pm I went home to eat my first meal. How could I have time to write this statement?

Netease: So this post was not written by you?

Lou Jing: No, of course it was not written by me. And the program group also found the poster’s address but did not find the person. All objective and subjective evidence proved that it was not written by me.

Netease: As you can see the 4 point statement which says, your father is an American not an African.

Lou Jing: Silly, our China is America’s largest debt creditor. (Laughs)

Netease: And then “native Shanghainese”. Also “parents’ fault I should not be responsible for, I am innocent!” and “Solemnly Protest against acts of racial discrimination by some of you, my skin color should not be the target of attacks! I will retain the right to take legal actions!” Of these 4 points, which point can you agree with?

Lou Jing: None of the points I can agree with. I think what he wrote, every point was very weird.

Netease: How about native Shanghainese?

Lou Jing: I think I am a native Chinese, aren’t we all the same? And I find myself play with most people from the north. My best friends are from Henan and Anhui.

Netease: “Parents’ fault I should not be responsible for, I am innocent!”

Lou Jing: This sentence feels too… “I am innocent.” Really I think my parents are not wrong. What was wrong was the article. I should thank them, they gave birth to me, and it was not their fault, it was the article twisted the truth.

Netease: Finally, protest against racial discrimination?

Lou Jing: I think there wasn’t any racial discrimination, until he wrote the article and caused it.

Netease: You did not feel this kind of thing before the discussions on the internet?

Lou Jing: I think I didn’t feel it, I felt that all the media were all good to me, except the media who wrote that particular article. Until now I do not know which reporter wrote the article.

Netease: Since you said that you did not write the statement, what do you want to say about the whole thing?

Lou Jing: I want to say the inaccurate information misled the netizens. I hope you will be able to see some official news updates, do not misunderstand me, and also quickly let this incident pass because this incident has caused harm to our family. My mother did not even want to go to work this month, because there are too much pressure from the public opinions, also there are so many people talking, so weird. One day when I was walking, suddenly someone pulled my classmate away and said, is that the person from the internet? My classmate was shocked and did not dare to move.

Netease: Do you think there is too much attention on this subject?

Lou Jing: No, it’s not too much attention. It’s the angle of the attentions. All the attentions are not from positive angles, but from negative angles. Including after the article was written many media were able to calculate the precise month of pregnancy such is in October. My mother said it was too strange, how could people know?

5. What extra-marital sex? All of these things do not exist

Netease: We looked at the development of the whole thing. When you are participating in this program, one time you and your mother both showed up on stage, and after that the discussions on the internet have started. When your mother decided to go on stage, did she consider this matter may have a negative impact on you?

Lou Jing: My mother said I was very obsidian, very sensible, and that’s it. I feel strange, how did it become a mess of violation of moral and ethics. I have never thought about it. At that time there was a very good response from the broadcast, many mothers, audience which had the same age as my mother all liked me. But the article written after the program which I did not know about, Two days later I realized that this article on the internet, after it spread online for long time. I felt…

Netease: I saw a few days ago in the program you said there are many things which are not true. Would you like to take this opportunity to say something?

Lou Jing: First they said my mother talked about my birth in the program, in fact it is not true, my mother only said I was obedient and very sensible and some stories of my childhood. And that was it. I don’t know who said my mother talked about her own affairs, as well as those who made up the extramarital sex. All of these things do not exist. It was written in newspaper and they didn’t even know which reporter wrote it. So we are helpless, but those things do not exist. Including the statements on KDS, I think if that person wanted to fake the statement I hope he could have done a better job. I think those words could not have come out of my mouse. I think I am not a person who avoids responsibilities, and say it is someone else’s fault but not my fault. In the course of the completion it was still very pleasant, but a series of things occurred after which I cannot control. It also caused me and my family a great deal of harm. I hope that everyone can all be a little more tolerant, thank you!

Netease: I remembered that in the program, it said your father because “various reasons” suddenly left you, your mother raised you alone up till now. Because it did not clearly say what reasons in the end, many people wondered. Are you willing to talk about this today?

Lou Jing: About this issue, my mother did not want to talk about on stage. It was because TV needed some ratings, the program group repeatedly requested my mother to say “various reasons”, it was already the last thing we wanted to make public, so I think this is after all our own privacy, no need to tell the public. But certainly it was not like what the netizens are spreading on the internet.

6. Do not want to find father

Netease: Maybe every child who does not have father will image about his father, what do you want your father to be like?

Lou Jing: Did not imagine. When I was young I thought he was a minister of an African tribe. I was just guessing when I was young, nothing specific. He should be just an ordinary person, didn’t think much about it.

Netease: Do you hope to find him?

Lou Jing: Actually, no. I grew up living with my mother and felt very good. Also it was a good (life) track. All of sudden, if I find him who has my blood, but was never there for 20 years, I think it is not unnecessary. At least now I have my mother and a lot of friends in my life. This environment is enough for me, I am very content.

Netease: But growing up without fatherly love, do you feel anything is missing?

Lou Jing: I think I will become more independent. Because at home I would repair the broken tape recorder, repair the computer and small electrical appliances. I knew how to do a lot of things a father would do, except for making money to feed the family. I have stronger ability to be independent.

(Lou Jing reads Zhou Guoping’s poem.)
…

Netease: I want to ask a question, what does “after” mean to you?

Lou Jing: The word “father” means half of mother. I think mom raise me, she was a father and a mother. I do not have the concept of father. I felt whatever father can teach me mom have already taught me. (Laughs)

Netease: What plans do you have for your future?

Lou Jing: I think I still very much hope to be a media person, but I want to be one who cares about justice. (Laughs) Other than that is enhancing my skills through learning, try to be a good media person.

Netease: I remember you once said that your biggest dream is to become a host, but while you are pursuing your dream, the color of your skin might bring you some unnecessary trouble, why is that?

Lou Jing: Because some of the netizens think I do not meet the aesthetic needs of the Chinese public. And being a host is the most direct way to present images to the public. It is possible some people will like me and some people don’t, for those who do not like me, I need to spend more effort than other hosts to gain their recognition.

(Lou Jing spoke in Shanghai dialect)
Lou Jing: Netease audiences, everyone, my name is Lou Jing, we all know that World Expo will begin next year. My mother and I had already signed up to be the Expo volunteers. Welcome everyone to attend the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Selected Chinese netizen’s comments on this article:

Little girl, I support you.
Your mother made mistakes, we do not blame you.
You are good to be Chinese, Shanghainese. Do not live for other people.

I can’t believe our country is so tolerant to this point. I have am speechless, Even if her mother is not wrong for cheating, but at least it was not a glorious thing. Does it need to be brought out to day light and bath under the sun? Yes the mother and daughter went to the stage and publicized the scandal, no one else dug it up. They used this opportunity to hype themselves up, ok? Shit already stinks, and you use a stick to poke it, it would be more stinky.

Child is innocence, the mother is not guilty. Why make life difficult for mother and daughter?

In 21st Century also used black and white to distinguish a person is uneducated, no upbringing, ignorant idiots.

Shanghai people like to date foreigners, dating on to TV…

Sure enough, the blacks started to “Dyeing” China Black.

Support you the beautiful Chinese little sister, do not care how others look at you, Go On!!!

Lou Jing is good; smart girl, support her and wish her happy.

Cannot believe of right now part of the Chinese people adore the blacks also! No wonder the Chinese in foreign countries sucks!

Lou Jing did nothing wrong, just blame her mother was too casual.

Bastard + wild species how is that Chinese?

Go! Sister! What other people fond of saying that is their business, even the yellow skin does not mean that person is Chinese, in the United States there are a lot of Chinese (ABC) do not even know Chinese because of their environment, in the same token, even if you are dark-skinned does not mean that you are not Chinese, because this is your hometown growing up!