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MasterChef star Sarah Tiong accuses an Australian radio station of 'racism'
Newly eliminated MasterChef contestant Sarah Tiong has lashed out at an Australian radio station after they greeted her in Mandarin Chinese.
In a series of posts on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, the 29-year-old said she 'felt uncomfortable and shocked' by the incident.
'Today, in an Australian radio interview with Triple M Sunraysia, the host greeted me by saying "ni hao ma",' she explained.
Called out: Newly eliminated MasterChef contestant Sarah Tiong (pictured) has lashed out at an Australian radio station after they greeted her in Mandarin Chinese
'I do not believe this went to air. However, I felt uncomfortable and shocked. The call was immediately ended. This is racism. What an insensitive, tone deaf thing to say. Please, check yourself and do better.'
A fan then responded to Sarah's post, asking why she thought it was racist, prompting the MasterChef: Back to Win star to explain further.
'It is racist to assume I identify as Chinese and speak the Chinese language,' she continued, after the fan commented that they thought it was 'respectful'.
Speaking out: In a series of posts on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, the 29-year-old said she 'felt uncomfortable and shocked' by the incident
'Today, in an Australian radio interview with Triple M Sunraysia, the host greeted me by saying "ni hao ma",' she explained
'Even if I have referenced such heritage or knowledge in the past, it is privileged and ignorant to assume anything about me based on the colour of my skin.
'It is rude and privileged to assume that I understand that Asian language, just because I appear of that descent.'
Sarah continued, revealing the unnamed host had then asked her if it was 'lei ho ma' instead.
'I felt uncomfortable and shocked. The call was immediately ended. This is racism. What an insensitive, tone deaf thing to say. Please, check yourself and do better,' she said
'The mere presumption that I speak or want to speak Mandarin or Cantonese with you followed by the flippant dismissal of distinguishing the two different languages is racist,' she added.
'It is dehumanising. And no... "my partner is Asian" is not an excuse for your racism.'
MasterChef judge Melissa Leong came to Sarah's defence with a post on her own Instagram Stories, claiming incidents like this are a 'daily occurrence'.
Weighing in: MasterChef judge Melissa Leong came to Sarah's defence with a post on her own Instagram Stories, claiming incidents like this are a 'daily occurrence''It is not funny, or clever. It just illustrates how deep rooted racial toxicity is in this country, and anyone with a voice in media should know better,' commented Melissa
'It is not funny, or clever. It just illustrates how deep rooted racial toxicity is in this country, and anyone with a voice in media should know better,' the 38-year-old added.
In a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV on Wednesday, Triple M said: 'Triple M Sunraysia unreservedly apologises for the offence caused by comments made to Sarah Tiong off-air this morning.'
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Sarah and Triple M for comment.
'It is dehumanising. And no... "my partner is Asian" is not an excuse for your racism,' she said
Newly eliminated MasterChef contestant Sarah Tiong has lashed out at an Australian radio station after they greeted her in Mandarin Chinese.
In a series of posts on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, the 29-year-old said she 'felt uncomfortable and shocked' by the incident.
'Today, in an Australian radio interview with Triple M Sunraysia, the host greeted me by saying "ni hao ma",' she explained.
'I do not believe this went to air. However, I felt uncomfortable and shocked. The call was immediately ended. This is racism. What an insensitive, tone deaf thing to say. Please, check yourself and do better.'
A fan then responded to Sarah's post, asking why she thought it was racist, prompting the MasterChef: Back to Win star to explain further.
'It is racist to assume I identify as Chinese and speak the Chinese language,' she continued, after the fan commented that they thought it was 'respectful'.
'Even if I have referenced such heritage or knowledge in the past, it is privileged and ignorant to assume anything about me based on the colour of my skin.
'It is rude and privileged to assume that I understand that Asian language, just because I appear of that descent.'
Sarah continued, revealing the unnamed host had then asked her if it was 'lei ho ma' instead.
'I felt uncomfortable and shocked. The call was immediately ended. This is racism. What an insensitive, tone deaf thing to say. Please, check yourself and do better,' she said
'The mere presumption that I speak or want to speak Mandarin or Cantonese with you followed by the flippant dismissal of distinguishing the two different languages is racist,' she added.
'It is dehumanising. And no... "my partner is Asian" is not an excuse for your racism.'
MasterChef judge Melissa Leong came to Sarah's defence with a post on her own Instagram Stories, claiming incidents like this are a 'daily occurrence'.
Weighing in: MasterChef judge Melissa Leong came to Sarah's defence with a post on her own Instagram Stories, claiming incidents like this are a 'daily occurrence''It is not funny, or clever. It just illustrates how deep rooted racial toxicity is in this country, and anyone with a voice in media should know better,' commented Melissa
'It is not funny, or clever. It just illustrates how deep rooted racial toxicity is in this country, and anyone with a voice in media should know better,' the 38-year-old added.
In a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV on Wednesday, Triple M said: 'Triple M Sunraysia unreservedly apologises for the offence caused by comments made to Sarah Tiong off-air this morning.'
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Sarah and Triple M for comment.
'It is dehumanising. And no... "my partner is Asian" is not an excuse for your racism,' she said