By — Kenya Downs Kenya Downs Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-problem-with-snapchats-bob-marley-filter-goes-beyond-blackface Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The problem with Snapchat’s Bob Marley filter goes beyond blackface Nation Apr 20, 2016 6:29 PM EDT The social media app Snapchat is defending its new Bob Marley filter against criticism that it promotes blackface. The feature changes a user’s appearance to make them darker, with dreadlocks and a Rasta-colored hat, reminiscent of the reggae star who died in 1981. But as the company fights back against the blackface backlash, there’s another criticism it hasn’t addressed. Most fans of the iconic musician recognize Feb. 6 as worldwide Bob Marley Day because it’s the anniversary of his birth. Instead of February, Snapchat premiered the filter on April 20, also known as “4-20,” an unofficial pot smoker’s holiday celebrating anything and everything to do with marijuana and its consumption. But Marley was much more than an advocate of worldwide marijuana legalization. And many fans of the reggae legend, who propelled both the genre and the culture to the international spotlight, question why a man whose music spoke of a racial, social and political revolution was reduced to just a pot-smoking caricature. Bob Marley probably rolling in his grave for this Snapchat filter. — D. L. SAMUELS (@iamdlsamuels) April 20, 2016 Bob Marley was more than a Rasta man who enjoyed smoking ganja. He was an advocate to stop many injustices in Jamaica + Africa. — النجم المتفجر (@blksoltheory) April 20, 2016 Bob Marley was a revolutionary, a critical thinker & a true humanitarian… somehow he's been reduced to the face of a weed celebration day. — . (@lex_looper) April 20, 2016 Still, there are many who see the uproar as overblown: https://twitter.com/mxwllco/status/722897331117379585 omg people going on about Bob Marley lighten up his music has been/is celebrated in so many ways — loz (@Lozzy123_) April 20, 2016 https://twitter.com/jamesdevs/status/722880895808450560 Snapchat released a statement in defense of the filter, arguing that it “was created in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate.” For many, approval from the Marley family holds little weight, as it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve been accused of selling out the singer’s legacy for profit. Bob Marley remains one of the top-earning dead celebrities; his name and likeness can been seen on everything from cigarette rolling papers, to handbags and black tea. Bob Marley remains one of the richest celebrities in the world nearly 35 years after his death. His name and likeness can be found on just about anything, including merchandise at this store in Sri Lanka. Photo by Nimal Skandhakumar/Flickr As some Twitter users have mentioned, the issue goes beyond just music or marijuana. Race matters. For them, picking and choosing only the weed-related parts of his legacy to celebrate diminishes the overarching theme of Marley’s music: fighting against the same racial justice issues that nowadays can make even the white, pot-loving hippie uncomfortable. the butchering of bob marley's legacy by young, mediocre, white stoners is a prime example of the consequences of cultural appropriation. — adam hamze حمزة (@adamhamz) April 20, 2016 white people can only associate Bob Marley with smoking weed and not his music of revolution against Britain — Bulma Badazz (@LeWorldwide) April 20, 2016 At a time when the same cultural elements for which Marley, Rastafarians and the Caribbean region were often vilified and stereotyped are now celebrated when adopted by white pop stars, Snapchat’s Bob Marley filter is yet another setback for those fighting to reclaim his legacy. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Kenya Downs Kenya Downs Kenya Downs is the digital reporter and producer for PBS NewsHour’s Race Matters and education verticals, creating multimedia content for online and television centered on issues of race and social justice, including exploring the intersection of identity and culture with education reform and policy. Kenya also contributes content related to the Caribbean region for NewsHour's international coverage. She’s previously worked with National Public Radio, Al-Jazeera Media Network and CBS News. Kenya is a graduate of both Howard University and American University and is based in Washington, D.C. @LiveFromKenya
The social media app Snapchat is defending its new Bob Marley filter against criticism that it promotes blackface. The feature changes a user’s appearance to make them darker, with dreadlocks and a Rasta-colored hat, reminiscent of the reggae star who died in 1981. But as the company fights back against the blackface backlash, there’s another criticism it hasn’t addressed. Most fans of the iconic musician recognize Feb. 6 as worldwide Bob Marley Day because it’s the anniversary of his birth. Instead of February, Snapchat premiered the filter on April 20, also known as “4-20,” an unofficial pot smoker’s holiday celebrating anything and everything to do with marijuana and its consumption. But Marley was much more than an advocate of worldwide marijuana legalization. And many fans of the reggae legend, who propelled both the genre and the culture to the international spotlight, question why a man whose music spoke of a racial, social and political revolution was reduced to just a pot-smoking caricature. Bob Marley probably rolling in his grave for this Snapchat filter. — D. L. SAMUELS (@iamdlsamuels) April 20, 2016 Bob Marley was more than a Rasta man who enjoyed smoking ganja. He was an advocate to stop many injustices in Jamaica + Africa. — النجم المتفجر (@blksoltheory) April 20, 2016 Bob Marley was a revolutionary, a critical thinker & a true humanitarian… somehow he's been reduced to the face of a weed celebration day. — . (@lex_looper) April 20, 2016 Still, there are many who see the uproar as overblown: https://twitter.com/mxwllco/status/722897331117379585 omg people going on about Bob Marley lighten up his music has been/is celebrated in so many ways — loz (@Lozzy123_) April 20, 2016 https://twitter.com/jamesdevs/status/722880895808450560 Snapchat released a statement in defense of the filter, arguing that it “was created in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate.” For many, approval from the Marley family holds little weight, as it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve been accused of selling out the singer’s legacy for profit. Bob Marley remains one of the top-earning dead celebrities; his name and likeness can been seen on everything from cigarette rolling papers, to handbags and black tea. Bob Marley remains one of the richest celebrities in the world nearly 35 years after his death. His name and likeness can be found on just about anything, including merchandise at this store in Sri Lanka. Photo by Nimal Skandhakumar/Flickr As some Twitter users have mentioned, the issue goes beyond just music or marijuana. Race matters. For them, picking and choosing only the weed-related parts of his legacy to celebrate diminishes the overarching theme of Marley’s music: fighting against the same racial justice issues that nowadays can make even the white, pot-loving hippie uncomfortable. the butchering of bob marley's legacy by young, mediocre, white stoners is a prime example of the consequences of cultural appropriation. — adam hamze حمزة (@adamhamz) April 20, 2016 white people can only associate Bob Marley with smoking weed and not his music of revolution against Britain — Bulma Badazz (@LeWorldwide) April 20, 2016 At a time when the same cultural elements for which Marley, Rastafarians and the Caribbean region were often vilified and stereotyped are now celebrated when adopted by white pop stars, Snapchat’s Bob Marley filter is yet another setback for those fighting to reclaim his legacy. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now