Adams apologizes after backlash over comments
Social media post from singer promotes racism, critics say
Canadian rocker Bryan Adams’ online rant that blames the spread of COVID-19 on Chinese meat markets exacerbates harmful stereotypes and disinformation, says an expert on racism in the time of epidemics and pandemics.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Adams bemoaned the cancellation of his tour “thanks to some (expletive) bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards.”
Many on social media condemned Adams’ comments as racist, saying he was contributing to anti-Chinese rhetoric surrounding the virus.
He apologized on Tuesday, saying he only wanted to post about animal cruelty.
But Carmen Logie, associate professor in the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, says the “Summer of ’69” singer’s remarks can lead to hurt, “othering and stigma.”
Such finger-pointing can also make some people think they’re less affected by the virus, she added.
“Seeing somebody who has such a platform actually promote such hatred and stereotypes is really shocking,” Logie said Tuesday in a phone interview. “You see other platforms, such as Tom Hanks and people who’ve had coronavirus, be really supportive and positive and promote information, testing. They use their platform in ways that advance public health.
“But for (Adams) to be so negative and say some harmful things is very disappointing.”
The Kingston-born singersongwriter — who gained fame in the ’80s with hits including “Run To You” and “Cuts Like a Knife” — apologized “to any and all that took offence to” his post. He said he just wanted to rant about “animal cruelty in the wet-markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism,” a diet he’s had for decades. He added he has “love for all people,” and posted a video of himself singing his single “Into the Fire.”
A representative for Adams did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
While some expressed support for the singer online, others accused the 60-year-old of losing sight of the true victims of a pandemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
“It is not my intention to ‘go at’ or ‘cancel’ anyone, but to identify posts like this that condone and enable acts of hate and racism. It runs counter to everything I love about Canada,” Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu wrote on Twitter.
“I hope Bryan does better for the millions who look up to him like I do. #BummerOf69.”