When localism meets racism: The controversy caused by the music video Foreigner

Abstract

The controversy caused by the music video Foreigner represents a tug of war between the western-dominated global value system and the culturally situated local pride. The controversy stems from the symbolic meaning of the music group, Nine One One. The rise of Nine One One is a result of the convergence of three forces: the localization of Taiwanese hip hop culture; the development of the digital music production business; the ongoing evolution of the taike concept and Taiwanese consciousness. This personal response article juxtaposes an American female's criticism of the music video as racist and Taiwanese netizens' reactions against the backdrop of a growing taike culture in order to present and question the hegemonic interpretation of the controversy. I will argue that the often-unnoticed discrimination held by Taipei cultural elites towards other Taiwanese citizens plays a key role in understanding the controversy.