It's 2019, so you'd imagine we'd be past thinking that blackface is appropriate, right? Absolutely not. With "blackfishing," as it is called, at an all-time high, people continue to be called out all over social media for the racially insensitive offense. However, it's not as often that we see black women fall into that category of people darkening their skin for likes, but unfortunately, it does happen. That became an issue this week when two California creatives came together for a photo shoot that was proven to be an absolute failure.
How much of a failure, you ask? Well, Jeffree Star loves it. See it for yourself.
Earlier this week, this photo shoot right here began to stir up quite the buzz.
At first, the overbronzed yet radiant model looked to be nothing more than an editorial expression from a brown-skinned beauty. But looks are clearly deceiving. Antennas went up when many continued scrolling to the caption.
"@nicholerayartistry & I wanted to try something new and test out my versatility … Some may be triggered, some may not, but this is more of an appreciation post to my Melanin Queens. For those who want to call it blackfishing, you’re blind. I am mixed, my mom is white and my dad is black, Learn to love the skin you are in regardless of what color you are!" the model said.
So why would some be "triggered," as Ashley Love described?
Well, because this is what she actually looks like: a fair-skinned woman who apparently dipped into blackface for what she thought was appropriate creative expression. Instead, the response that she got was hundreds of angry commenters who couldn't believe the tone-deaf nature of the photo shoot's concept.
And as if that wasn't enough, the photo received Jeffree Star's stamp of approval.
The YouTuber, with an extensive wrap sheet of racism, has pandered to black women at every turn since his controversial past was revealed. We suspect that it's most likely in an effort to rid himself of the ever-lingering history of him screaming the n-word at the top of his lungs or calling Jackie Aina a "gorilla." From pretending to be some huge diversity advocate, calling out other brands for their shade range — the irony — to now this, it's clear that Star is still completely ignorant as to what is actually racially and culturally acceptable. And we have a feeling he has no desire to actually find out.
Both the makeup artist and model have seemed completely unremorseful.
"Artists are here to disturb the peace," the MUA responsible for basically drenching the model's skin in deep brown product said, quoting James Baldwin. Needless to say, we're almost 100% positive that's not what the late novelist had in mind. The model recently took to Instagram Stories to offer her non-apology apology. "I'm saying this for the last time and last time only," Love wrote, as if she was doing us all any kind of favor. "I apologize for those who feel offended, but if I was out here trying to please everyone, I wouldn't be happy with myself."
We had no clue that blackface could be such a source of self-validation.
Neither the model nor the artist have removed any of the photos; instead, they've continued to antagonize those who were offended, and have left the comments open for everyone to add to. We have to admit, two black women creating something so senseless is a true tragedy.
Sad.
