If you have a life, and don’t spend far too much time scrolling Instagram, you probably arn’t aware of the new controversy surrounding some popular Insta-models. The drama involves users such as @eemmahallberg, @mikafrancis and @jaidengumby, whose following has presumed their racial identity as black, to recently discover old photos proving that they’re actually white. That’s right, white women on IG are literally masquerading as black women. How do you even get away with that? Some serious tanning products, shady make-up skills, big lips, curvy bodies and some classic black hairstyles- afros, box braids, cornrows etc. They are literally catfishing us into believing that they’re black women.
The sad thing is, this isn’t the first time white women have used cultural appropriation for financial gain. Celebrities have been doing it for decades, so this almost seems like an inevitable result of the rising fame and success that Instagram brings for those than land a shit-tonne of likes. Take the Kardashians, for example, they constantly sport cornrow hairstyles and a surgery enhanced appearance to appear more ‘black’. Celebrities are probably to blame for making this fashionable, so its unsurprising that its trickling down to Instagram models.
I’ve been lost in Instagram posts that call these models out, for the past few days, trawling through comments that I honestly find shocking. It even hit up Buzzfeed’s stream a few days ago, and they were ripped apart in the comments, primarily by non-black people may I add, for picking apart women who did nothing wrong. Oh, and of course stating that people are dying, and are disgusted that Buzzfeed choose to report something so seemingly ‘insignificant’. Other accounts whose focus is equality, particularly racial, that posted the images of the model’s transformations were alternatively full of comments disgusted by it such as @chakabars. Textbook example of white priviledge huh.
So for those of you that are confused at what’s so bad about all of this, and don’t see its significance, it’s time to educate yourself on cultural appropriation and why it’s so god-awful. In short, turning a culture into fashion for financial gain whilst ignoring the struggles of the people within that culture is blatantly unacceptable. These models are doing just that-using the black aesthetic for their own personal gain in popularity, fame and to sell their own products. To make things worse, they remain ignorant to the issues and struggles of coloured people, and make no attempt to express empathy or to help with this struggle. Instead they pick and choose aspects of the culture that suits them, whilst enjoying the privileges that their whiteness brings.
And yet, their simple responses to this backlash was simply to emphasise their tanning skills and to argue that they never claimed to be black. The sad thing is, the tan isn’t the only reason they’re getting called out, and racial claims certainly arn’t the issue. Everything about their aesthetic is racially deceptive! Of course there is a line with the tan, where it becomes obvious that it’s beyond being sunkissed, moving into other territories. Regardless as to who they are claiming to be, they are appropriating a culture for their own gain.
It’s all well and good getting pissed off about it, but what can we do? As I said, many in the spotlight have been getting away with it for years. Calling it out is a great start, I think continuing the dialogue is important to raising the acknowledgement of these issues. White women need to start listening and paying attention to reality, and place themselves in the shoes of others. A cliche, I know, but how else is this avoidable?
Other than that, I really don’t know. Cultural appropriation appears to be hear to stay. Where is the line? Being transracial is a thing, is this acceptable? Can we compare to racial identity to gender identity? When Caitlyn Jenner was named Cosmo ‘Woman of the Year’ for example, the decision was criticized because she hadn’t endured the struggles of womanhood. Despite this, transgender people have their fair share of struggles and discrimination in society. In this way, gender identity is surely more inescapable than a relatability and desire to look like another ethnicity and culture?
I personally think that its possible to understand, relate to, and enjoy another culture without appropriating it. I have a personal affinitity with East Asia, and have a big love of the fashion and aesthetic here. I feel a connection to people here that I often lack with people of my own country. And yet I maintain my own racial identity, without changing my skin colour, facial appearance. Despite this, yellowfishing is growing too, just look at @scarebrat, who edits out her double eyelids to look more Korean. A joke, considering the amount of racism those with monolids experience. Despite this, many other expats also maintain a connection with local culture without transcending into a new ethnic look. In fact, these models are even more detached from the culture they’re appropriating, surrounding themselves with other white people and residing in countries that have little cultural connection to the countries they’re appropriating from.
For now, let’s talk about it, call it out, and allow ourselves to get pissed off. A knowledge of racial issues are essential in today’s society and provide the foundation for further discrimination of people of colour, whilst also dismissing their suffering. What are your thoughts on this controversial issue? I’d love to hear and learn more, particularly as a white woman discussing something that doesn’t directly affect me.
Click here for a great post that reveals the ridiculous before and afters of the shameless blackfishes.
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