Snapchat lashed for its ‘racist’ Bob Marley filter

Snapchat is no stranger to controversy, but a new filter has it facing allegations of racial insensitivity.

Today is April 20 and to celebrate the hazy holiday that is 420 — Christmas for potheads — the photo messaging app is offering a filter that lets people slap Bob Marley’s likeness on their own face.

It is unclear what Snapchat is smoking. The Internet quickly took notice of the tone deaf filter and took to Twitter to slam it as digital blackface and culturally clueless (Marley was from Jamaica! He smoked weed!).

Reached for a comment, Snapchat replied with the following statement:

“The lens we launched today was created in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate, and gives people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music. Millions of Snapchatters have enjoyed Bob Marley’s music, and we respect his life and achievements.”

We’d hate to see how Snapchat treats someone they don’t respect. Much of the online outrage looked like this:

The Bob Marley Estate did not respond to a request for comment, but given their involvement maybe everything is irie.

 

https://digiday.com/?p=173683

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