Leftists have centered their crosshairs on pop singer Adele for the sin of styling her hair in Bantu knots while wearing a Jamaican flag bikini.
In light of the Notting Hill Carnival being canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Skyfall” singer paid tribute to the day with an Instagram post. As reported by Fox News, the Notting Hill Carnival has honored Caribbean culture since 1966.
Alongside a photo of herself in a Jamaican bikini with her hair in Bantu knots, Adele wrote in the caption, “Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEh6gF5AwXh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Rather than seeing Adele’s post as a kind gesture and tribute to Jamaican culture, social justice warriors instead slapped her with accusations of cultural appropriation.
“Dear white people, please just be yourselves and stop it for good with cultural appropriation. Adele the bantu knots were unnecessary. The Jamaican flag bikini top was unnecessary… Please just stop it,” one follower wrote.
“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,” another said.
“If 2020 couldn’t get anymore 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,” tweeted Earnest Owens.
If 2020 couldn't get anymore 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. pic.twitter.com/N9CqPqh7GX
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) August 30, 2020
Others came to Adele’s defense, including Jamaicans, most of whom were proud to see their flag being displayed.
“Appropriation is mocking or stealing culture. Where is she stealing anything? She is celebrating at a festival, I’m so f***ing over everything being appropriation, how the hell is anyone who is white supposed to find love in other cultures if we can’t celebrate them without it being racist? Everyone’s mad I know but it’s time to stop. There’s ZERO ill intent in this photo so why make it?” wrote one follower.
“I’m from the Caribbean and this is why we have festivals/carnival,” another follower said. “For others to appreciate and celebrate our culture. Nothing inappropriate here.”
“WE LOVE SEEING OUR FLAG EVERYWHERE!!!!” another said. “This made me smile. It shows the impact my little island has on the whole world. How influential we truly are.”
“We Jamaicans are the only ones not upset at Adele. If the culture that she’s apparently appropriating is happy, why do you care?” tweeted one user.
We Jamaicans are the only ones not upset at Adele. If the culture that she's apparently appropriating is happy, why do you care?
— Andrea (@Dreeaa85) August 31, 2020
“Poppycock! This humbug totally misses the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival and the tradition of “ dress up” or “ masquerade” Adele was born and raised in Tottenham she gets it more than most. Thank you Adele. Forget the Haters,” tweeted Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy.
Poppycock! This humbug totally misses the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival and the tradition of “ dress up” or “ masquerade” Adele was born and raised in Tottenham she gets it more than most. Thank you Adele. Forget the Haters. https://t.co/sabpPPRtID
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 31, 2020
As The Daily Wire reported, Adele sparked another controversy earlier this year when she shared a photo of herself showing her dramatic weight loss, prompting a debate about body image and body positivity.
Related: Adele Photo Sparks Weight Loss Debate, ‘Skinny Shaming’
