A comedian who sniffed petrol while mocking an Indigenous woman claims she was fired from her job for the offensive skit. Lisa Jane Spencer, a satirist from Melbourne, has faced massive backlash online, along with a surge of several thousand followers, after posting a controversial video pretending to be an Indigenous woman.
The original video featured an 'SBS Insights' fake logo at the top, causing the clip to be the subject of a copyright strike on Thursday. Spencer has since re-uploaded the video with a new logo: 'Special Woke Service'. The comedian addressed criticism of her skit in a defiant statement on Wednesday, saying she would not apologise.
Job Loss and Workplace Response
Now, Spencer claims the 'joke' has cost her a job at a wellness retreat. 'Deeply disappointed in my former workplace. They fired me on the spot yesterday morning with no notice after people publicly and illegally doxxed where I work,' she wrote online on Thursday. 'I imagine if the shoe were on the other foot and I was a 'left wing' person making jokes about white people - which I have done - would they have fired me? We all know they wouldn't have.'
The workplace issued its own statement on Thursday, saying it was 'aware of concerns that have been raised regarding social media content circulating online from a former employee'. 'We want to acknowledge and sincerely recognise the concern and disappointment that has been expressed, particularly by members of First Nations communities, community partners and those who have reached out to us directly,' it said. 'We do not support or endorse content that is inconsistent with our values or our commitment to inclusion, respect and cultural safety.'
SBS Condemns Video
SBS similarly issued a statement condemning Spencer's video, which originally featured its logo. 'SBS is aware of these posts and the unauthorised use of SBS logos. The posts and individuals are in no way associated with our content and have been reported,' a spokesman said. 'SBS unequivocally condemns all forms of racism and recognises the damaging impact it has on individuals, communities and social cohesion. Such views have no place in Australian society.'
Content of the Skit
Spencer started the controversial video by stating: 'I started identifying as a black fella a few months ago.' She was then shown identifying as Aboriginal on a mock government form, ticking the 'Yes I am' box next to the question 'Am I Aboriginal?' The video then cut to 'Aunty Lisa' wearing white face paint and mimicking singing while clapping two twigs together. 'I finally feel at peace with who I am. One of the mob,' she said. 'Aboriginal identity transcends skin colour. I am Aboriginal, end of story.' The skit, which has earned Spencer at least 10,000 followers, ended with Spencer inhaling from a red jerry can. 'This transition hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it,' she captioned the video.
Previous Parodies
Spencer has made skits impersonating Pauline Hanson, Abbie Chatfield, Donald Trump, and a white woman who identified as Indian. In that video, she claimed to have 'assimilated' with Indian culture. 'I've learned the accent and the head bob,' she said. 'And I'm patriotic, that ticks most boxes. The only thing that's different between me and the majority of Indians is how long I've been here... and my skin colour. But I don't see skin colour, and that's the thing, skin colour is just different kinds of shades and it's time to stop with the brown fragility. It's not about skin colour or about shared ancestry. It's about being a proud Indian. So India, do better, and stop being so racist.'
Spencer transitioned into comedy after ten years as a singer-songwriter and music producer. She has since posted more than 130 parodies. Daily Mail has contacted Spencer and her former workplace for further comment.
