In a recent controversy, supporters have rallied behind a comedian who was dismissed for producing a skit that included sniffing petrol while parodying an Indigenous woman. The comedian’s backers have raised nearly $40,000 in her support.
Lisa Jane Spencer, a Melbourne-based satirist, faced significant criticism after posting a controversial sketch online in which she portrayed a character referred to as ‘Aunty Lisa’ earlier this week.
The skit opened with Spencer’s character stating, “I started identifying as a black fella a few months ago.”
The video subsequently showed ‘Aunty Lisa’ donning white face paint and performing a mock traditional song, while rhythmically clapping two sticks together.
“I finally feel at peace with who I am. One of the mob,” the character proclaimed. “Aboriginal identity transcends skin colour. I am Aboriginal, end of story.”
The controversial sketch, which has attracted at least 10,000 followers to Spencer’s platform, concluded with the comedian inhaling deeply from a red jerry can.
Days later, the comedian lost her job at Peninsula Hot Springs, with the company quick to distance itself from the video in a statement.
Peninsula Hot Springs said it was ‘aware of concerns that have been raised regarding social media content circulating online from a former employee’.
Supporters of a comedian who was fired after she sniffed petrol in a skit mocking an Indigenous woman have donated almost $40,000 to the satirist
Spencer (above) claimed she was fired after uploading the video, in which she sniffed petrol while pretending to be Indigenous
‘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.’
In response to her sacking, an anonymous friend launched a fundraiser with a $10,000 goal, claiming Spencer had been unfairly targeted by ‘cancel culture’.
The friend wrote on the GiveSendGo fundraising page that Spencer had been ‘brutally harassed and bullied’ following the video.
‘Far-left activists discovered Lisa’s place of work and threatened her employer, resulting in her losing her job,’ they wrote.
‘The sort of things this woke ‘cancel-culture’ mob have said about Lisa are disgusting and untrue. Lisa is an honest, hardworking member of the community.
‘She is intelligent, fair-natured and has a sense of humour appreciated by millions of Australians.’
The fundraiser has raised almost $40,000 from over 800 donors at time of writing.
Spencer (above) has made several parody videos impersonating Pauline Hanson, Abbie Chatfield, Donald Trump, and a white woman who identified as Indian
One anonymous donor gave $2,000, writing: ‘Never apologise to these humourless cretins.’
Ms Spencer thanked her supporters in an Instagram video on Friday.
‘Thank you for all your support over the last couple of days. It has been very, very stressful, very crazy, and I don’t think I could do this without you,’ she said.
‘Thank you as well to all the people who have donated to me. I really didn’t want to take anyone’s money but it started to pour in, and too many people were asking about it, too many people were wanting a fundraiser.
‘It’s really going to help me fight this, I plan to very much fight all this.
‘First, the people that doxxed my workplace, put it out online publicly for everyone to see. To then harass my workplace which led to me being fired.’
Ms Spencer transitioned into comedy after ten years as a singer-songwriter and music producer. She has since posted more than 130 parodies.
Spencer has made skits impersonating Pauline Hanson, Abbie Chatfield, Donald Trump, and a white woman who identified as Indian.
The Daily Mail has contacted Spencer and her former workplace for comment.
