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Katy Perry under fire for evoking blackface on shoe design
Singer Katy Perry has been criticized over a couple of designs in her shoe brand that resemble "blackface".
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Katy Perry arrives at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Los Angeles Gala in Los Angeles, US, on March 18, 2017. (AFP/Valerie Macon)
Singer Katy Perry has been criticized over a couple of designs in her shoe brand said to resemble “blackface”.
Two styles of the slip-on loafers recently dropped by the label, Katy Perry Collections, are said to feature racist imagery with the design featuring protruding blue eyes, a nose and big red lips. The shoe line was debuted by Perry in 2017 and is available through retailers, including Dillard’s and Walmart in the US.
The Ora Face Block Heel and Rue Face Slip-On Loafers are available in black and beige, and the black style sparked comparisons to blackface.
CNN points out that blackface is a racist-face painting that started as a way for white performers to mock enslaved Africans in minstrel shows using black paint and exaggerated facial features.
Read also: Gucci pulls polo neck after 'blackface' claims
Netizens who felt offended by the blackface resemblance on the shoes took to Twitter to express their thoughts on Perry’s shoe design.
Ok Katy Perry explain these shoes SMH #blackface #KatyPerry #gucci #gucciblackface #boycott pic.twitter.com/j0dswNOSoH
— ChantillyCoco (@ChantillyCoco) February 11, 2019
“Ok Katy Perry explain these shoes SMH #blackface #KatyPerry #gucci #gucciblackface #boycott,” a Twitter user with the handle @ChantillyCoco tweeted on Monday.
Since the shoes were released, the community backlash and criticism has led to the two shoe styles being unavailable for purchase from the Dillard’s website. Since Monday, images and descriptions have been replaced with the message, “This item is not available for internet purchase.”
While Dillard’s and Katy Perry both declined request for comment, some people tweeted suggestions for backlashers to stop getting offended or being so sensitive.
A twitter user with the handle @JABialek even posted a photo of a Rue Face slip on loafer in beige. (geo/mut)
Ok @ChantillyCoco, explain these Katy Perry shoes @katyperry #blackface? #KatyPerry pic.twitter.com/0RgoSNtXsq
— Jeff Bialek (@JABialek) February 12, 2019
