American ignorance strikes again.
Miami’s popular R&B singer Jason Derulo was supposed to be a main draw at the South African of the Year Awards this Saturday. But after only a few seconds onstage, Derulo was already hated rather than lauded.
“Y’all speak English right?” the 26-year-old asked, having obviously forgotten to read up on basic South African language demographics.
Furious South Africans took to Twitter to voice their concerns following Derulo’s ignorant remark:
Jason Derulo needs to leave our country right now. How dare he?
— Lotus Mbali Bomb (@KhumoYami) October 17, 2015
In an attempt to save face, Derulo provided an explanation to his ignorance:
“Speaking English” remark I made, was directed to a specific table. It wasn’t literal, just a figure of speech when someone isn’t responding
— Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo) October 17, 2015
That response, however, did not fly with some South Africans:
@jasonderulo which figure of speech are we speaking here? Hyperbole, antithesis? Metaphor? Simile? Which one son?
— Mbali’s Papi Tumelo (@TuhMeyLo) October 18, 2015
Derulo has not Tweeted anything since.
