S Poddar
A recent episode of the popular business reality show in Canada has left the online world blowing up with controversy. The cause of the controversy? A company in Quebec bottle boba tea, and its founders, who were called out bluntly on the show by one of its guest “dragons” and renowned actor, Simu Liu.
Liu, of course best known for playing Shang-Chi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, had some issues with the company’s presentation of boba tea. He argued that this highly culturally resonant drink, native to Taiwan, was too simplified and didn’t even comment on it.
The company’s founders, Jessica Frenette and Sébastien Fiset, described boba tea to me as “kind of a trendy, sugary drink” and emphasized health and convenience; Liu countered that their approach felt like “taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and quote-unquote ‘making it better,’ which I have an issue with.”
However, his concerns did not stop there. He felt that they had to be more sensitive to the recognition of lack of origin from Taiwan with regard to its Taiwanese boba tea; after all, this is an aspect of culture, he believes.
A heated online argument began to brew within social media; many individuals claimed that this actor had every right to make such a stance against the act and the company in question as cultural appropriation. Others replied that the intent of these entrepreneurs was to introduce boba tea to a wider public and therefore could not have been malicious in intent.
By the nature of such an incident, growing awareness regarding cultural appropriation in the business world has been highlighted. This reminds one that when companies borrow from other cultures, they must borrow them in a respectful and acknowledged way.
Liu has also been instrumental in shedding light onto the issues of representation and diversity within the business world. He, being one of the most recognizable Asian-Canadian actors, has used his authority and influence to advocate for marginalized communities while challenging harmful stereotypes.
While the end result of the episode remains to be seen, the row over the controversy that has now engulfed the boba tea company has set loose very essential national conversations on cultural sensibility as well as business responsibility in a global setup.
