Adele accused of cultural appropriation for her Bantu knotted hair and bikini with Jamaican flag
British musician Adele sparked controversy on social media after posting a bikini photo with a Jamaican flag and Bantu knotted hair.
The photo was taken to celebrate what would have been the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday. The annual event celebrates black British culture, and this year it took place virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEh6gF5AwXh/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_mid=30BE94A0-3CA9-47D9-8D9F-5797B02B3B3C
Adele received the support of some celebrities like model Naomi Campbell, who commented on the post with emoji of heart and a Jamaican flag. Some fans also praised her for recognizing black culture.
However, the post did not appeal to critics who accused it of appropriating black culture.
Among her critics were American journalist Ernest Owens and authors Jemele Hill and Frederick Joseph.
Owens wrote that “Adele is giving us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that no one asked for.”
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
“Black people have been through enough in 2020.”
Adele: pic.twitter.com/4RwWF7B0Ou
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) August 30, 2020
No one.
Absolutely not a fucking soul.
Nary a person.
Adele: pic.twitter.com/Lj0ZflRjyd
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 30, 2020
Adele is apparently unhappy with the reaction of the image, which has garnered over 4 million likes, and over 100,000 comments have not been removed from her account.
Here are some responses from Twitter:
How do I get this Adele in bantu knots off my feed cause I honestly don't want to see the atrocity anymore. And no, im not calling her that, the whole thing is 🤦🏻♀️
— 𝒿𝒶𝒾 🌺 (@jai_siara) September 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/channelWHORANGE/status/1300648905428946944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1300648905428946944%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fsunday-times%2Flifestyle%2F2020-09-01-adele-accused-of-cultural-appropriation-for-her-bantu-knots-hairstyle–jamaican-flag-bikini%2F
……. Adele in Bantu knots???? disappointing 🗑 when will we stop being a costume
— sel (@twinscorpeon) September 1, 2020
I didn’t think that picture of Adele with Bantu knots was real at first. 2020 continues to blow me away.
— Monica 🥀 (@mxnica_marg) September 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/jimncvlt/status/1300673826007719937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1300673826007719937%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fsunday-times%2Flifestyle%2F2020-09-01-adele-accused-of-cultural-appropriation-for-her-bantu-knots-hairstyle–jamaican-flag-bikini%2F
so adele sat there getting bantu knots done and the whole time thought, this is right 😌
— TORI!!!!!!!!!!!!! (@fathertori) September 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/Imthatothersoc1/status/1300532894029549574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1300532894029549574%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fsunday-times%2Flifestyle%2F2020-09-01-adele-accused-of-cultural-appropriation-for-her-bantu-knots-hairstyle–jamaican-flag-bikini%2F
Beyonce appropriated…
But Adele appreciated? pic.twitter.com/2v0NKDvhRm— Jenn E. Penny (@JennE_Penny) August 31, 2020