A provocative piece by a Slovenian artist is causing a heated debate on social media.
The ad, created by Katarina Stegnar, shows a nearly naked white woman being groped by what appears to be Black male hands.
Bad advertising 101.
This #hatebetter ad has been making the rounds on social media and everyone seems to be getting really confused with the message ????.
Whats your take on this? What's the message behind this?
Let us know in the comments#TalkAbout
pic.twitter.com/y9IyVezT3o— TalkAbout™ (@talkaboutmag) May 14, 2019
Upon further inspection, the hands actually belong to white women wearing black paint or makeup on their forearms.
The image is part of Stegnar’s #hatebetter campaign, according to AdLand. The campaign will be showcased at a festival and Stegnar’s gave a brief explanation of her movement in her artist bio.
“The regulation of female sexuality lies in the core of all patriarchal politics. Regardless of whether we are discussing the wearing of burkas, banning abortion or the demonization of female pleasure,” it read.
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“It ends now. No means no. I will not allow my body to be exploited for any political agenda. I am the mistress of my pleasure. I'll do with my body as I please, where I please and with whomever I please," the statement continued. "I love my Slovenian boyfriend, whether he is black, yellow, white, red or all the colors of the rainbow.”
Like any art, it can be interpreted in many ways and the debates happening on Twitter are proof.
Some people think the image is racist.
Painted black hands…
groping at one woman in a single frame.
What the fuck is #hatebetter insinuating? https://t.co/Il3SyLvriP— Michael (@Michaelstonen) May 13, 2019
So… I get that this is supposed to be art about white people blaming their crimes on people of color and whatnot but…. was it really necessary to use this kind of image? This should come with a trigger warning! #hatebetter
pic.twitter.com/hh9llKpPbG— Rama (@dailyphenomenal) May 15, 2019
Disgusting Anti-Black Maleness & wtf does #HateBetter mean?!?
Real Black Kings ain’t Thirsting for NeanderBecky Mayo like this!!
Save this shit for the Lost & Turned Out!! GTEFOH ????????#ADOSforLIFE???????????????? https://t.co/bBWCO83ZFO
— Carla (@Tuniekc) May 14, 2019
There is no reason for such a sexist add. In a society where rape and sexual assault happen on daily basis.
This promotes group raping.
If your not convinced, the hand are on the body so she accepts the touch.
There is no barrier inbetween.
The Black hand are racist. #hatebetter— Jantje (@jxntje) May 12, 2019
Others believe Stegnar is calling out racism.
Actually I noticed that these are white men with black painted hands???? The hands are painted black, to show how racist white people always blame the innocent black man. They “paint” the picture that the black man is violent???? #hatebetter is awareness. https://t.co/h8cc6rTi6t
— Daa'iyah✨ (@__daaiyah__) May 14, 2019
Someone said it’s awareness art so I interpreted it differently….
I think it’s trying to show how white people “paint” (blame) the black community as the ones that partake in assaults/crime when in reality it’s white people behind it.
Maybe the #hatebetter aims to expose that— Jess???? (@eversincejess_) May 14, 2019
If you look carefully you'll see the hands are painted black. I think its showing how black men are always blamed for crimes even when they are committed by white men. The #HateBetter could be a clue. https://t.co/gR53pL8r4M
— ♚UncleMalume♚ (@GoonerMDH) May 14, 2019
The caption #hatebetter leaves me thinking that if you’re gonna hate people, don’t do so as a stereotype. The hands are *painted* black & some are female so maybe it’s pointing to instead of blaming mostly men of color for different types of assault to look in your own community https://t.co/eO8PuNBkVu
— Jo (@jomoody23) May 14, 2019
White hands taking, harassing, & assaulting painted Black. At first glance you think it’s just Black people being criminals when in reality it’s white people pulling the strings, pitting us against each other, & hiding behind gaslighting & propaganda
I LOVE this piece#HateBetter
pic.twitter.com/F9esXiVp2N— sistah gürrl ✊????????✨ (@MylahChandler) May 14, 2019
The poster is on display in several places in the city center of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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