PRINCE CHARLES named Katy Perry as British Asian Trust’s new ambassador at a gala dinner in London on Tuesday (February 4). Amid all the buzz the glitzy event generated, the move sparked online outrage as some people slammed it as a reflection of “white saviour complex”.
Describing his meeting with Perry in Mumbai on the eve of his birthday last year as “a wonderful birthday present”, the Prince of Wales said: “Given Katy’s long-standing commitment to charitable causes around the world, I’m delighted to be announcing that she has most generously agreed to become an ambassador for the British Asian Trust's Children’s Protection Fund for India."
Perry, who is also a Unicef goodwill ambassador, said her charity work took her “to many parts of the world and opened [her] eyes to the many vulnerabilities of children”.
“India has long held a special place in my heart, and on my last visit, I was able to meet with the Prince of Wales and other leaders in Mumbai, and I was impressed by their strong plan—from on-ground initiatives to fundraising—that will aim to cut child trafficking in half,” she said.
The Dark Horse singer added that she would “help shine my light on the work that the British Asian Trust will be doing in South Asia, and to be a part of finding solutions to child trafficking”.
On Instagram, she wrote: “In my role, I will primarily focus my spotlight on helping find solutions to end child trafficking. India has always been a place I have a magnetic connection with, and in addition to my work as a @UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.”
All that sounded perfect. But, soon started a barrage of tweets deriding Perry’s appointment.
Katy Perry as British Asian Trust ambassador what part is British and what part is Asian. Or has she a long lost family history suggesting that she's all of the above. ❤️
— Nurshila Jackson (@theanimater) February 5, 2020
“It was a bit of an eye roll moment seeing Katy Perry becoming ambassador of British Asian Trust,” said TV presenter Anila Chowdhry.
“Because the charity clearly thinks no-one from the charity is big enough from the minority community to get their message across into mainstream.
“But it is important to have diversity in charities to reach different communities and get the message out there.
“So understandable why they've done it, if they aren't reaching wider communities.”
BBC Asian Network presenter Nihal Arthanayake said: “I hope those kids who have been saved from slavery in India are equally outraged when they discover a white person has helped raise the money that secured their freedom.
“What charity on earth would turn down the influence and awareness she brings?”
Composer Nitin Sawhney added: “I think as long as there is desi representation, which there is, then it's good to have non-desi ambassadors too.
“I think that anyone who has a profile with a different demographic following can certainly help a cause.
“It's important to be inclusive as Asians as well as the other round.”
BBC presenter Sonali Shah, meanwhile, offered a different perspective to the issue.
“Some of the comments about Katy Perry joining us as an ambassador of the British Asian Trust are starting to feel a little 'stay in your lane' and dare I say it, at times, racist.
“Supporting those in need in South Asia isn't just the job of British Asians. She cares. And so should you.”
The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by Prince Charles and a group of British-Asian business leaders. The charity primarily focuses on child welfare in the Indian subcontinent.
The event also saw philanthropist Natasha Poonawalla make a multimillion-pound pledge in support of the British Asian Trust's child protection fund, which she will chair. The Children's Investment Fund Foundation is set to match fund anything raised up to £25 million to develop what could be South Asia's largest anti-trafficking fund.
"The commitment of the Poonawallas to the Trust, since I first met them seven years ago, has made such an immense difference and I am so very grateful to them for all their efforts," said Prince Charles.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event