By Alyssa Huynh
Actor Simu Liu appeared as a guest judge and investor on Canada’s version of Shark Tank — Dragon’s Den – where a white couple from Montreal, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, pitched their business named Bobba. Inspired by the popular boba or also known as bubble tea from Taiwan, their version is pre-packaged and they credit their “innovative” touches to their use of fruit juice, popping boba and alcohol.
Throughout their pitch, the entrepreneurs stated that when it comes to boba which is known as a ‘trendy sugary drink’... “you are never quite sure about its content” and claimed that they’ve “transformed this beloved beverage into a convenient, healthier, ready-to-drink experience”, playing into the narrative that the Asian community can’t be trusted when it comes to their own specialities and that it’s a guessing game of what goes Into our food and beverages.
The Asian version is positioned as bad while theirs is good. Simu responded that he’s quite sure about boba’s content as many of us know that it’s a blend of tea, sugar, milk and tapioca pearls and most boba stores will allow you to customise your drink and select your desired sugar levels.
There’s more. The entrepreneurs shared that their version of boba was “not an ethnical product anymore. Not with the popping bobas. So we took the Asian version and we made it with fruit, with juice.” I surely can’t be the only one to perceive this as them admitting that they’re whitewashing boba, being disillusioned that they’re changing the game and attempting to bring it to the masses in a way that is healthier than what you can find at your local boba store.
Simu posed to them, “What respect is being paid to this very Asian drink that has blown up around the world?” and mentioned that when looking at their cans and branding (which we need to mention features a raccoon wearing sunglasses), he can’t see anything that honours the cultural roots of boba and that it came from Taiwan. There is erasure of boba’s origin and its Asian and more specifically, Taiwanese ties when companies like Bobba strip it of its roots and claim they’re reinventing the wheel.
I can’t help but feel that the product and pitch feeds into the microaggression that Asian food and beverages made and created by Asian people is to not be trusted, that it’s unhealthy, dirty or ever so mysterious. Think about the narratives and misconceptions around MSG and the racist stereotypes and false allegations around Asian restaurants serving dog/cat meat. In situations like this, we often witness ‘white saviour’ moments, where white individuals feel compelled—and entitled—to step in and reshape cultural products, often with the goal of making them more appealing, particularly to non-Asian audiences.
Cultures are certainly meant to be enjoyed, shared and celebrated but there’s a delicate approach to doing so and a level of care, respect and due diligence is essential. There’s a difference between that and taking something from someone else’s culture with not only zero mention of where it came from, but also claiming, marketing and branding it as “better” or as communities of colour have experienced time and time again, being the more ‘healthy’, ‘trendy’, ‘fashionable’ and palatable watered-down Western version.
During the pitch, Simu expressed his concern with “disrupting or disturbing bubble tea” and mentioned that, “There’s also the issue of cultural appropriation. There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and quote-unquote ‘making it better’ which I have an issue with.” There’s a fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation. Cultural appreciation has an element of respectful engagement, acknowledging, paying homage and giving credit to the culture you’ve drawn inspiration from, showing a deep understanding of cultural context, collaboration and creating opportunities for members of that group where you can and showcasing the beauty of shared experiences.
Cultural appropriation on the other hand embodies elements of exploitation for personal gain, profiting off another culture without care, consideration or credit, lack of knowledge or awareness around the significance of the culture and/or practice, tradition or item and power imbalance — particularly when it comes to cultures that have historically been oppressed and marginalised and face scrutiny and stereotypes for what you as someone outside of that culture wouldn’t. In the case of Bobba, there are some people who perceive Asian-made boba as unhealthy and wouldn’t support Asian-owned businesses who make and distribute it but they would trust, and wouldn’t think twice when it comes to, white people’s version of it and would see it as more favourable or revolutionary.
My concerns about this situation extend beyond just Bobba; they encompass anyone who exploits and erases another culture for personal or financial gain. Share your story and connection to this culture that isn’t yours, yet you claim to honour it. I want to embark on a journey with you, exploring the significance it holds for you personally. What is your level of understanding regarding the practices, clothing, or products you’re promoting or selling?
Additionally, how are you uplifting and giving back to that community, particularly when you stand to benefit and profit from their culture? It’s crucial to recognise the impact of your actions, especially if they could be perceived as an attempt to whitewash or oversimplify a rich cultural heritage.
Following online criticism and what she says was “more reflection, due diligence and listening to many of your opinions,“ Dragon Manjit Minhas, who initially agreed to invest 1 million dollars into Bobba for an 18% share, ended up posting a video to her social media stating that she would be withdrawing her offer.
There is no shadow of a doubt that the segment sparked an important global conversation, but I hope we realise how important representation is and how necessary and needed it is to have diverse representation in the room, but to also ensure that a safe space is created for them to passionately and courageously share their views as Simu did.
It pains me to think of what would’ve happened if he wasn’t there, or if he didn’t say anything, this all could've played out so differently. If you’re reading this, I encourage you to go and support your local boba shop, you deserve that “trendy sugary drink”!