Cher

Hello this is Kany , I would like to address a comment I made in a recent YouTube video. First, I want to sincerely apologize to anyone who felt hurt or offended by my words. During the video, I made a spontaneous joke referring to watermelon, chicken, and Fanta. I understand that this combination, particularly watermelon and fried chicken, carries a painful history of racial stereotyping in the United States. I sincerely regret the hurt my words may have caused. However, I would also like to share the cultural context behind my words. I am a proud French-Senegalese Black woman, born and raised in France with Senegalese roots. My cultural experiences are not necessarily the same as those of Black Americans. In my Senegalese cultural experience, watermelon is a fruit we commonly enjoy, chicken is an important part of our cuisine, including Poulet Yassa, and Fanta is a familiar drink in many African households. When I made that joke, I was speaking from familiar cultural references, not consciously referring to American racial stereotypes. I also want to clarify that I never used the term “soul food” during filming. It was added to the subtitles during editing, which may have contributed to the misunderstanding. That said, I recognize that using expressions such as “our favorite” and “everybody” could sound like I was generalizing about all Black people. I understand why that was upsetting, and I take responsibility for my choice of words. Throughout my career and life in South Korea, I have proudly shared my African heritage and French-Senegalese culture, including dishes such as Yassa and Jollof rice. And I do all of this while embracing and learning about the culture of South Korea, the country I now call home. Living in Korea has been an incredible cultural exchange for me. I am constantly learning about Korean traditions, language, and everyday life, while sharing my French and Senegalese roots. For me, cultural exchange has never meant leaving my identity behind. It means celebrating where I come from while opening my heart to where I am today. As a Black woman working in Korean entertainment and broadcasting, I understand that representation comes with responsibility. This experience has reminded me to be mindful of how my words may be understood across cultures. It is a responsibility I will continue to carry with care and respect. Black people are not a monolith. We share experiences, but our histories, cultures, and perspectives are diverse. We can respect those differences while acknowledging the pain certain stereotypes have caused. The segment has already been removed from the original video. On a personal note, I also want to address the hateful messages I have received. Seeing people accuse me of being ashamed of my African identity or of degrading my own community to please others has been deeply hurtful. I have always been proud of who I am and where I come from, and I always will be. I have never felt the need to diminish my identity or my community to seek anyone’s approval or validation. I respect everyone’s right to criticize my words, express disappointment, and hold me accountable. I am listening and learning. However, I hope we can remember that behind every screen is a human being. The racist insults, personal attacks, degrading comments about my appearance, hateful private messages, and threats have genuinely hurt me. We can hold one another accountable without hurting or dehumanizing each other. We have more to gain from listening with empathy and respect than from tearing each other down. My intention is not to create further division between African and African-American communities, but to encourage understanding and respect for our different cultural experiences. I sincerely regret the hurt my words have caused, and I will be more mindful moving forward. Thank you to everyone who has approached this conversation with kindness and an open heart. With love, Kany Diabaté ❤️