TWO BRAZILIAN influencers have been accused of racism after they posted videos of themselves giving Black children a banana and a toy monkey.
The mother and daughter duo, Kerollen Cunha and Nancy Goncalves, have been accused of “recreational racism” for the stunts.
Brazilian police are now investigating the videos where Ms Cunha is seeing approaching Black children in the street and asking them if they want a present or money.
In both video clips, the children ask for the present.
In one clip, young Black boy unwraps the present which is a banana.
“Do you like it?” Ms Cunha asks.
“No,” the boy replies.
“Take a better look. I’m sure you like that,” she says.
The second clip the Black girl also chooses a large box in red wrapping paper, as she opens it to find a stuffed toy monkey, Ms Cunha laughs.
The videos have since been taken down after online outrage.
However, state prosecutors say they have received almost 700 reports describing the videos as a possible hate crime.
Police in Rio have said their race and hate crimes department have now launched an investigation.
“The videos will be analysed, and inquiries are under way to identify those involved and establish the facts,” Rio Police said in a statement sent to AFP.
In a statement posted to their Instagram account, a lawyer for Ms Cunha and Ms Goncalves said they were “shocked” by the accusations and “vehemently deny any form of racial discrimination.”
Lawyer and Black rights activist, Fayda Belo, accused the mother and daughter of “recreational racism”.
In a statement in Instagram, Ms Belo wrote: “Racism is not entertainment. Racism is a crime!
“We want these people to be held accountable for this cruel act.”
The influencers have a total of 17 million followers across online social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
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The Brazilian Police are well known for their ostentatious anger and skin-colour hostility against Brazils’ African-heritage children, and homeless street youths; who die whilst in Police custody in frightening numbers.
Police skin-colour discrimination and fatal violence against Brazil’s African-heritage children and youth, require Police and Government attention; much more than the harmless antics of a internet content creator.