Katy Perry is receiving backlash for dancing with a group of women who appeared to be black female stereotypes. While performing on the Prismatic World Tour in London, Katy Perry danced with several voluptuous women with big lips, black hair, big breasts, and big butts.
The images appear to be caricatures of voluptuous black women. Black culture has always served as a major influence for many white musicians. From Elvis Presley’s take on the blues to Justin Timberlake’s 2013 dominance of R&B, white artists have used black sound and culture to catapult their careers. But there’s often a thin line between inspiration and the objectification of a race and culture.
But while Katy Perry’s recent performance seems to mock black women, it’s not the first time she’s been accused of using racist images on stage.
At the American Music Awards, Katy Perry was criticized for mocking Asian culture by performing with women who were dressed as Geishas.
Perry said the AMA performance didn’t have anything to do with race and she has yet to respond to the stereotypical females used during her recent performance.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Katy Perry like other ignorant white people who do things and don’t even know how racist it is.
— Wombman King (@KatHeartwell) June 10, 2014
Let’s just preempt your first defense: Katy Perry doesn’t have to “be a racist” (whatever that means) to commit a racist act.
— Jim Reedy (@jim_reedy) June 10, 2014
Katy Perry intersperses Cartoon Barbie between Racist Stereotype Barbie to keep y’all from noticing how often she relies on appropriation.
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) June 10, 2014
Aha, so Katy Perry continues to be a racist piece of appropriative, talentless garbage. Why are people still giving her money?
— Bailey (@the_author_) June 10, 2014
What’s Up With Katy Perry’s Mildy Racist Performances These Days? https://t.co/dhwkR0sVBD #fashion
— Fashion Agent (@Fashion__Agent) June 10, 2014
What is with all the white entertainers doing racist stuff recently? I mean first Bieber, then Macklemore, now Katy Perry? I’m placing bets.
— davidpiresihsaan (@davidihsaan) June 10, 2014
