Snapchat's Bob Marley Filter Was Not a Smart Idea
 |
| Rolling Stone |
 |
| The Next Web |
You have to wonder who thought this was actually a good idea. Snapchat is usually pretty on the money with what teenagers want, but they've now stepped into a virtual minefield. For one thing, why are they trying to celebrate 4/20 in the first place? Without getting into a whole argument about drugs, when Snapchat try to celebrate this way, they do perpetuate the idea that drugs are cool and legal or not, this isn't a message that should be thrown at teenagers. They already think they're cool due to stereotypes they see in music and on TV, and this doesn't really need any more encouragement. The sad thing is though that this isn't even the worst thing about this filter.
It's unbelievable that in this day and age, even after blackface has been on the news, Snapchat would still think that it's okay to release a filter that transforms your skin colour. People shouldn't make themselves look black for a costume, a picture or anything like that if they aren't black. You have to consider how badly so many black men and women are treated for having their skin be the colour it is and how offensive it is that many people are using this filter for a laugh. It's unsurprising that so many people are mad about this because Snapchat is such a large company and they shouldn't be enforcing such behaviour, let alone giving users the opportunity to do black face themselves.
This Bob Marley filter on snapchat is getting someone fired today. Blackface because it's 420 and he smoked? Really?— Pardeep Nainu (@PardeepNainu) April 20, 2016
The other issue is that Bob Marley's name and face has been used to celebrate this day. Bob Marley was an extremely talented musician and is a great symbol for Jamaica. He was a Rastafarian who believed in the use of marijuana for spiritual reasons, but that wasn't all he was. Bob Marley is used as a symbol for many drug users and white people use him as an excuse for why it's okay for them to have dreads and act like that's all he really was. It's incredibly sad and it isn't the way he should be memorialised. The Bob Marley estate was aware of this filter and it was aware of the day that they were going to release it and that just feels a lot like they were selling him out.
All the things Bob Marley did, stood/fought for, & accomplished, & he's reduced to just a weed symbol for stoners. Amazing.— Lé Cocoapuff (@RespectTheAfro_) April 20, 2016
Snapchat made a huge mistake on all sides by releasing this filter and there's no possible way to argue otherwise.
Rosina is a Songbird writer with a degree in Creative Writing. She's trying to focus on her novel on the side but is glad to be playing around with apps and writing about them in the mean time! Follow her @Songbird_Rosina
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
Snapchat's Bob Marley Filter Was Not a Smart Idea
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Friday, April 22, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Friday, April 22, 2016
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.