Chris Brown and Justin Bieber should take note: Xzibit says the Web game of planking, where celebrities and everyday folks upload photos of themselves lying face down in unusual places, has origins in the slave trade, specifically, how Africans were positioned on the slave boats.
Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Kings of Leon and Katy Perry are among the celebrities who have posted photos of themselves planking on Twitter.
Xzibit tweeted: “Planking is the dumbest s–t ever. Planking was a way to transport slaves on ships during the slave trade. It’s not funny. Educate yourselves.
Don’t get it twisted. I care less where your dumb a–es lay face down and take pictures of the s–t, I’m just telling you where it came from.”
Entertainment blogger Courtneyluv.com agrees:
“I did a little research, and it revealed that slaves were chained and attached to “plank” beds. They were forced to lay face down with their arms by their side and their wrist chained to their waist. You can’t always jump on the bandwagon just because you saw someone else. Everything has a hidden meaning …”
In case you’re still confused, here’s a video of brothers planking around town.
Chris Brown’s and Justin Bieber’s planking: Is it a harmless game or cultural insensitivity? –zondra hughes
