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.
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 || JK DAY ⁷ (@jai_siara) September 1, 2020
adele in bantu knots…. im over it. im fucking over it. ik she's lying, she's playing. it's a prank. where are the cameras??? come on out 😂 like u got me hahahaha funny joke #lol seriously 2020 is a fever dream and it's time for me to wake up.
— 𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲🍓𝐛𝐥𝐦 (@channelWHORANGE) September 1, 2020
……. Adele in Bantu knots???? disappointing 🗑 when will we stop being a costume
— selina (@kingselllll) 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 Urriola (@MonicaUrriola_) September 1, 2020
not adele wearing bantu knots .. it’s the culture appropriation for me
— m¡a (@jimncvlt) September 1, 2020
so adele sat there getting bantu knots done and the whole time thought, this is right 😌
— TORI!!!!!!!!!!!!! (@fathertori) September 1, 2020
I mean. She looks like she already knew she messed up. #Adele #bantuknots pic.twitter.com/qv8UFA7TbM
— I'm that other_sock (@Imthatothersoc1) August 31, 2020
Beyonce appropriated…
But Adele appreciated? pic.twitter.com/2v0NKDvhRm— bald head hoe shit (@JennE_Penny) August 31, 2020
