English singer-songwriter, Adele, faces major criticism after posting an Instagram picture of herself in a Jamaican flag bikini and her hair styled in Bantu knots, a traditional African style.
What We Know:
- Adele caused major controversy on social media Sunday after posting herself in Carnival wear. The singer-songwriter can be seen wearing a Jamaican flag bikini, Bantu knots, and ostrich feathers also referred to as carnival feathers.
- The word “carnival” itself means “farewell to meat” or “farewell to flesh,” referencing the Catholic practice of abstaining from red meat from Ash Wednesday until Easter also known as Lent. Carnival is celebrated in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, and many Caribbean islands.
- Adele captioned the post, “Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London”. Notting Hill Carnival is a huge street festival about celebrating Caribbean heritage that takes place in London every year.
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- Many social media users were offended by Adele’s use of carnival wear and choice of hairstyle labeling it cultural appropriation, meaning Adele adopted a style with little knowledge of the history and meaning behind it.
- Following the post award-winning journalist, Ernest Owens went to Twitter and said, “If 2020 couldn’t get any more bizarre, Adele is giving us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that nobody asked for. This officially marks all of the top white women in pop as problematic. Hate to see it.”
- Another follower commented on her post explaining, “Black women are discriminated against for wearing cultural hairstyles like Bantu knots and locs but white people are not, that’s not fair and that’s why people are pissed off” according to People.
- Conversely, some fans supported her look. David Lammy, a Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, said “Adele was born and raised in Tottenham she gets it more than most. Thank you, Adele. Forget the Haters.” Naomi Campbell also supported the singer-songwriters’ decision commenting hearts and Jamaican flags on Adele’s Instagram post.
Adele has also been in headlines for the last few months after her weight loss. The singer-songwriter appears to be once again center stage; hopefully next time she will be in the public eye for what she does best– music.
