Pinup girl! #throwback #tbt #pinup (Taken with instagram)
she is so bad.
After a few days of digesting this information, I still have not found the words to describe how disgusted and horrified I am by this photoshoot, the world renowned participant, and the message it sends. I am, however, pleased to see there are many who find this atrocious “homage” - IF ANYONE IS FOOLISH AND IGNORANT ENOUGH TO REFER TO IT AS SUCH - just as tasteless.
Still, “L’Officiel describes the Feli-inspired photo of Beyonce — sporting blackface, tribal paint and a dress designed by her mom — as a “return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened.’” Okay, then… On that note, I completely agree with Jezebel writer Dodai Stewart’s reaction, “the message we’re getting from the fashionistas is that it’s bad to actually have dark skin, but totally cool to pretend you have it.”
Finally, what I find most shocking and horrific is that it is a BLACK WOMAN who is perpetuating these stereotypes and extremely racist ideals. How can Beyonce, one of the most respected and admired black women in the world today set her own people 300 years back? It is crucial to note that Beyonce voluntarily darkened her skin. Perhaps I am not sophisticated fashionista enough, or maybe I am just socially and historically astute, but if blackface is en vogue then why are minstrel shows not as well? It is the same thing. Therefore, this is the farthest thing from progress I have seen in a while, that a light-skinned black woman would go to these lengths to “appear more ‘African’” or whatever the hell that means. As an African woman, I am deeply angry and offended, especially since they are relating this horror to one of the most revered and influential musicians in history, Fela Kuti.
God help us all. Some people will NEVER learn.
\/\/ anjira*
