Netflix has removed Chris Lilley’s show “Summer Heights High” after controversy around brownface character Jonah Takalua.
The show, created and written by Chris Lilley, is a comical high school mockumentary in which Lilley portrays three characters: drama teacher Mr. G., snooty exchange student Ja’mie, and Tongan delinquent Jonah.
When “Summer Heights High” premiered in 2007, the character Jonah was criticized as being a problematic representation of Pacific Islanders.
Filipe Mahe was featured in the 2004 documentary series “Our Boys.” The series focused on the lives of students and teachers at “cash strapped government school” Canterbury Boys High, located in Sydney’s inner west.
Following the release of the series, Chris Lilley came into Filipe’s school to research the type of character he would be playing, who ended up being Jonah Takalua.
Mr Mahe was described by peers as a “charismatic and cheeky Tongan schoolboy having a tough time because of his reading, writing and family difficulties.”
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Mahe spoke out about the influence he had on Lilley.
“I knew from that episode Jonah was me. I’ve always thought it was racism to Tongans but never spoke out. I would have been labelled a ‘sook’ or ‘can’t handle the banter’ so I didn’t say anything.”
“Young Tongan boys have been stereotyped as dumb, clowns, a nuisance, little s***s, violent and foul-mouthed. I feel like I’m responsible for this stereotype and that hurts the most.”
“It hurts that people think I spoke in that manner to the public or to my family. I’m upset that people think I’m dumb or uneducated. I’m upset at how people think of me.”
Sydney Morning Herald
Daryl Currie was head English teacher from Canterbury Boys High during the production of “Our Boys.” He said he was shocked when he saw “Summer Boys High.” He condemned brownface and said the character of Jonah was not a representation of Tongan schoolboys.
Netflix recently removed four Chris Lilley comedies: “Angry Boys,” “Summer Heights High,” “We Can Be Heroes” and “Jonah from Tonga.”
Photo Credit Netflix
