Snapchat is under fire for featuring a Bob Marley filter that some users are describing as “racist”.
In honour of April 20 (4/20) – a day dedicated to celebrating marijuana – Snapchat added a filter that is meant to make users look like reggae musician Bob Marley.
When activated, the filters superimposes dreadlocks and a slouch cap onto users, as well as their darkening skin colour and changing the shape of the eyes and nose.
The Snapchat filter in question
But many have decried the filter as a digital “blackface”, dubbing it “racist”.
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In a statement to CNN Money, Snapchat said that the lens was built “in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate”.
Snapchat continued: “Millions of Snapchatters have enjoyed Bob Marley’s music, and we respect his life and achievements”, adding that the lens “gives people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music”.
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Musician Bob Marley
Bob Marley was an acclaimed reggae artist born in Jamaican. He is remembered as one of the world’s greatest musicians, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Marley considered cannabis as a healing herb, and has consequently become a figurehead in pro-marijuana circles, and remains so even after his death in 1981.
Despite the criticisms, Snapchat has not removed the filter, and has not announced any plans to do so.
Do you think Snapchat’s Bob Marley filter is inappropriate? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
