Simu Liu and the Erasure of Marginalized Perspectives
What does Simu Liu's recent appearance on Dragon's Den highlight about how People of Color are treated in the workplace?
A clip of Simu Liu’s recent appearance on Dragons Den (Canada’s equivalent to Shark Tank) has gone viral on social media. In the clip which you can watch, here. Simu Liu challenged two entrepreneurs who claimed they were “disrupting” and “revolutionizing” the bubble tea industry.
Liu’s main concern was that the entrepreneurs failed to honor bubble tea’s Taiwanese origins. Concerningly, the entrepreneurs also hinted that their bubble tea brand revolutionized “popping boba” (a type of boba that fizzles and pops when eaten), but actually this type of boba has been on the market for quite some time. Further, the entrepreneurs implied that until their brand came on the market, bubble tea was a “mystery” drink that consumers didn’t quite “understand.” Thus suggesting that their brand was the only bubble tea that could truly be trusted on the market.
Liu challenged the non-Asian founders to consider how their language served to erase bubble tea’s distinctly Asian history. He also implored them to consider how language such as “disrupting” and “revolutionizing” proved to be paternalistic and denied the ingenuity and brilliance of the many Asian-owned bubble tea brands on the market. Ultimately, he accused the founders of cultural appropriation and asked them to, at the very least, acknowledge bubble tea’s Taiwanese history on their cans.
Lui’s Concerns Dismissed
Ultimately, Liu’s concerns were dismissed by both the entrepreneurs and by the other judges on the panel (many of whom are People of Color). The exchange between Liu, the entrepreneurs, and the judges is a reminder of why diversity is so important in the workplace. However, it also reveals that when we ignore the concerns of Black employees and employees of color, we are missing the richness that diversity brings to the workplace. It’s not just important to hire Black and POC employees, it’s also important to hear their concerns, trust their lived experience/expertise, and allow their presence to change the status quo.
Ultimately Liu’s appearance on Dragons Den reveals some key takeaways:
Diversity Requires Listening: It’s not enough to hire employees of color—it's crucial to actively listen to their perspectives and concerns. This helps avoid situations where important cultural nuances are overlooked or dismissed.
Acknowledge Cultural Origins: When engaging with products or practices rooted in specific cultures, it's vital to respect and honor those origins. Failure to do so can lead to cultural appropriation, which alienates communities and undermines trust.
Language Matters: Words like “disrupting” and “revolutionizing” can unintentionally erase the contributions of marginalized communities. Be mindful of how language is used, especially when discussing industries or products with deep cultural ties.
Embrace Change: The inclusion of diverse voices should challenge and evolve the workplace status quo. Encouraging open dialogue about cultural concerns can lead to more innovative, respectful, and successful outcomes.