Beauty influencer Ghadeer Sultan has faced significant criticism following a video and series of photos posted to her Instagram page in which she is wearing blackface.
The Kuwaiti-based makeup artist who has 2 million followers on Instagram, posted a video featuring herself wearing blackface and posing on a set designed to look like a music studio while the chorus of We Are the World plays over the top. It has garnered over 350,000 views and 7000 comments with many commenters voicing their disapproval of Sultan’s use of blackface.
Despite the criticism, Sultan then posted a further two photos of herself wearing blackface as well as a video promoting her interview on BBC Arabic in response to the incident. One of the blackface photos was posted with a caption in which Sultan says, “I am not racist. I hate racism,” claiming that, “what I’ve done is only to show you what I am capable of.”
Followers were having none of it, with many continuing to voice their criticism in the comments. One user replied, “The only thing you are capable of is showing your full blown ignorance to the world.” Another called for Sultan to take down the posts saying, “Take it down you racist.” Others called out Sultan’s apparent lack of knowledge telling her to “pay attention in history class, there’s something called blackface and it’s extremely racist.”
Blackface, a practice in which people use masks, paint or makeup to deliberately darken their skin has come to be widely regarded as racist because of its history. The practice dates back to medieval times in Europe and the 19th century in America. Throughout its history, blackface has been used as a way to stereotype, ridicule and look down upon blackness. However despite widespread recognition of blackface (and brownface) being racist, the practice continues around the world.
Just last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced worldwide condemnation when a photograph surfaced of him wearing brownface at a party in 2001.
Italian airline, Alitalia was also forced to pull a company ad that featured an actor in blackface playing former US President Barack Obama. The airline initially claimed that “makeup was applied to highlight features.” But the company ultimately made the decision to pull the ad and apologised for the offence caused.
Sultan too has apologised for her blackface incident, later sharing an apology note on her Instagram story. She wrote, “I’m sorry, I can see how blackface event must have been frustrating for you. I appreciate how difficult it must have been for you to deal with blackface. However, it was absolutely not in my intention.” She tried to justify her decision, “I’ve tried to explain several times why and how I’ve done this and what was my goal behind it but I can’t really change the sensitivity behind the whole issue.”
Despite her apology, the blackface posts remain visible on Sultan’s Instagram page.
