Ralph Lauren debuted its HBCU Collection this week, but the idea wasn’t well-received by all. The critics expressed their outrage on social media, saying the collection glamorizes the Jim Crow era.
Regardless of how y’all feel, the reality is that when these clothes were in style, it was during the Jim Crow era and YES! While they did have lives, it was under the confines of violently racist times. Ain’t no shaking that. You can’t rewrite history in the name of fashion.
— Grab My Prada (@AyUBigHeadMF) March 16, 2022
Some social media users are also defending the company.
According to NPR, it was Black directors, cinematographers and models who led the Ralph Lauren campaign. Still, Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan anticipated that the project would be criticized.
“There are those who might look at this collection and see it as an anachronism at a time when track pants and leggings are as dressed up as many people want to be,” Givhan said. “There’s a polish to these images that may feel stilted at a time when improvisation is valued. The entire project is a risk in an era when social media watchdogs are always on the prowl for missteps.”
TikTok announced this week that it has become the official partner for the Cannes Film Festival. As part of the partnership, the social media platform will hold a competition to reward the top short films on TikTok, Variety reports.
TikTok has become Cannes Film Festival’s official partner.
They will launch #TikTokShortFilm, an in-app competition of vertical short films that are between 30 seconds to 3 minutes in length with an award presented for 3 winners at the event.
(Source: https://t.co/yMlV1hUcRm) pic.twitter.com/TTRUGP94pt
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 15, 2022
People are now resurfacing some of their favorite videos to see which one deserves to be rewarded.
Anything done by @TheBaddestMitch. Here’s one of my favs! “It’s gon’ be like a mimosa!” takes me out. Often. 😂 https://t.co/WDr6XBxIc5 pic.twitter.com/MjeFFNEOBu
— 🌺 Comfortably 86% African 🌺 (@HerSoulWrites) March 17, 2022
This the one that got me to make a tiktok account https://t.co/DsQamPvJKk pic.twitter.com/zF7hL2KVo0
— It's pronounced "Zach" (@lydiacostume) March 17, 2022
You guys…today I came across the best tiktok account ever.
I really don’t think y’all ready for this.
Please play every single video in this thread. Y’all ready?I introduce to you…Tony Dock. pic.twitter.com/KJokkcfnuW
— Art by Kashmir (@kashmirviii) March 15, 2022
“We are truly honored to welcome them as an official partner. Entertainment fans from all over the world turn to TikTok to be entertained, express themselves or discover something new, but they share an authentic and rewarding sense of community unlike anywhere else,” Rich Waterworth, the general manager of TikTok in Europe, told Variety.
Mike Tyson made news this week when he revealed his weed company’s new product, edibles shaped like ears.
Mike Tyson’s weed company is making edibles in the shape of an ear. Genius pic.twitter.com/VOU3uAMzOf
— Greg Baroth (@gbaroth) March 14, 2022
In 1997, Tyson bit the ear of Evander Holyfield during a fight. The legendary boxer, apparently still capitalizing on the well-known incident, appeared in Boston last week to promote his new product, Mike Tyson Bites, Mass Live reports.
Jane Campion, director of The Power of the Dog, faced criticism for a comment she made about Venus and Serena Williams during Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards. As Blavity previously reported, Campion, who took the award for best director, made the controversial comment while trying to praise the King Richard movie during her speech.
“Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels,” Campion said, looking at the tennis legends portrayed in the biopic. “However, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.”
Here's the clip of Jane Campion's speech#CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/pucAsmE2JF
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 14, 2022
Social media users were, of course, quick to let the director know exactly how they feel about the comment.
We’ve all worked with or for a Jane Campion. pic.twitter.com/iCYsaFN5Sy
— Kimberly Drew (@museummammy) March 14, 2022
Jane Campion saying sexism in industry is worse than societal racism while disrespecting Venus and Serena Williams (who nearly fucking died postpartum because of institutional and individual racism) is just so fucking wrong. Fuck that noise.
— The Potty-Mouthed Socialist (@TwitringMachine) March 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/SashaBeauIoux/status/1503224498757435394
That clip of Jane Campion should be used in anti-racism spaces as an example of what daily racism looks like.
— Shay Stewart Bouley (@blackgirlinmain) March 14, 2022
After congressional leaders reached a bipartisan deal on Wednesday to provide $13.6 billion to help war-torn Ukraine, according to MSN, Twitter had some choice words for the U.S. government.
I’m screaming. We can’t get no Covid money, no stimmys, no rent control/relief, healthcare, nothing but both parties making money appear out of nowhere, signing EMERGENCY LEGISLATION to give boat loads of money to another country. 😂😭
— Martin Luther Greens (@Blike_Dante) March 16, 2022
We. Gave. Ukraine. 13.6. BILLION. In. Aid. … but we have people struggling to pay for gas, rent, mortgage and or find jobs LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— Ghost 🇬🇾 (@GhostFaceDrizzy) March 16, 2022
Let me see if I understand:
After slavery & hundreds of years of oppression, America needs a study to figure out *whether* we get reparations, but it only took 24 hours for both the House & Senate to approve $13 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine?
— Yvette Carnell🇺🇸 (@BreakingBrown) March 14, 2022
Klarna, the company that provides online financial services, is partnering with gas stations to help customers as gas prices continue skyrocket. According to Local 10, customers can now use the Klarna app to get gas or snacks at Chevron and Texaco stations and pay the cost over time.
Social media users expressed mixed reactions after hearing the news about Klarna.
https://twitter.com/M0rgsterrrrr/status/1504081517303287811
Imagine having gas debt . I do not think this is a good idea from a credit stance . Every time you use Klarna or something it’s like opening another credit account and from my understanding short accounts are not good on your credit https://t.co/5BrpwLdY2u
— Witchy (@oochibangbang) March 16, 2022
i put that klarna gas in my car and now it won’t go above 25mph
— Raphael de la Ghetto (@jordansaweirdo) March 17, 2022
Jada Pinkett Smith turned some heads when she proudly showed off her bald head while wearing a $50,000 diamond headpiece at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, the Daily Wire reports.
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The Red Table Talk host has opened up about her journey with alopecia, the condition that leads to hair loss.
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WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia has been extended until May 19, Russia’s state news agency announced this week. As Blavity previously reported, Griner is being held on charges for the possession of vape cartridges holding hash oil, which were allegedly found in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport.
Brittney Griner's detention in Russia has been extended until May 19, according to Russia's state news agency. pic.twitter.com/ColW4FTdWM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 17, 2022
Griner, who has been detained since February, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.