Scott Disick is facing backlash for an Instagram post alongside his daughter.
Scott Disick, the 41-year-old American TV personality, is facing backlash over a controversial Instagram post featuring his daughter, Penelope. Disick, who shares Penelope with ex-partner Kourtney Kardashian, has divided fans with the image. The post shows the father-daughter duo at a restaurant, sparking intense debate over its content. Disick and Kardashian, who had an on-and-off relationship from 2006 to 2015, share three children—Mason, Penelope, and Reign—and have remained in each other’s lives to co-parent despite their past struggles.
The controversy arises from the image where Penelope appears to pull her eyelids upward while dining at an Asian restaurant. This gesture has been interpreted by many as an offensive imitation of East Asian features, known as the “slant-eyes” stereotype, a deeply rooted racist trope. The stereotype, which mocks the epicanthic folds common in East Asian eye shapes, has a long history tied to Western propaganda and discrimination against Asian immigrants. The presence of chopsticks on the table in the photo further fueled the outrage, with many accusing Disick and his daughter of cultural insensitivity.
The post quickly drew criticism, with one fan commenting, “Wow, and this is a prime example of how racism is taught. People aren’t born with it. Ignorance at its finest.” Another wrote, “It’s a parent’s responsibility to teach a kid to do the right thing.” Critics argued that the incident demonstrated a lack of cultural awareness and education, especially given Disick’s wealth and public platform with over 29 million Instagram followers.
However, others were quick to defend the father-daughter pair, suggesting the interpretation of the gesture was blown out of proportion. Supporters claimed that Penelope was simply making a silly face, with one commenter stating, “You people are disgusting talking about a child being racist because she made a funny face?” Another defender, who identified as Chinese, argued, “If you mock Asian eyes, you pull OUT not UP,” downplaying the perceived offense.
The incident highlights the complexities of public scrutiny and the responsibility that comes with fame. While Disick and Kardashian have made efforts to prioritize their children’s upbringing and maintain a cordial relationship, this episode underscores the need for greater cultural sensitivity, especially when sharing content online. The polarized responses reveal the ongoing tension between holding public figures accountable and understanding the innocence of a child’s actions.
