Snapchat decided to celebrate stoner holiday 4/20 Wednesday by allowing users to snap images with a Bob Marley filter, but people quickly accused the social media platform of perpetuating blackface.
The effect morphs the user’s face with Marley’s dreadlocks and Rastafarian-style hat while darkening the skin color and altering the eye and nose shape.
People took to social media to rip the social media company for creating what they called a blackface filter and reducing Marley’s reggae legacy to nothing more than his marijuana use.
Well, there's a Bob Marley @Snapchat filter for today. (Just in case you didn't want the effort of buying paint to do blackface.) 🙃
— Tré Pina (@TreLingual) April 20, 2016
.@Snapchat NO YOU DIDN'T JUST SLANDER BOB MARLEY!!! Who the hell is running your "filter room"? Who told you blackface was a good idea? WTF
— DanielleMoodie-Mills (@DeeTwoCents) April 20, 2016
something dodgy abt the bob marley snapchat filter like his entire legacy, everythin he stood for reduced to being the face of 420
— lily (@lllsmy) April 20, 2016
Bob Marley spent his whole life being an activist and now he's reduced to a snapchat filter for weed day. What a world
— Zito (@_Zeets) April 20, 2016
Reality star Kylie Jenner was among those who received backlash after posting a video of herself with the Marley filter onto her Snapchat story Tuesday night.
Snapchat defended its creation, telling Forbes it designed the filter alongside the Bob Marley Estate, which markets marijuana brand Marley Natural.
"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," a Snapchat spokesman said in a statement.
Keep ya mind right today with @Spotify's official 4/20 #ThisIsBobMarley mix. https://t.co/oEJ6YRR6VMpic.twitter.com/30MtPqpeyJ
— Bob Marley (@bobmarley) April 20, 2016
Though Snapchat was overwhelmingly criticized of negligence decision-making, some users defended the platform.
I can't believe people are offended because of the Bob Marley filter... 😂😂😂#getoveryourself #getalife @KylieJenner pic.twitter.com/Kcj8v3BsNv
— Mimiistotesawesome (@mimiistotes) April 20, 2016
Aside from being a stupid ass filter, THIS is not "Blackface". Its superimposing a Black man's face over yours.... https://t.co/ymP2mcyTyp
— Will (@pink2Xstink1) April 20, 2016
Is even liking Bob Marley now "cultural appropriation?" >> https://t.co/5sC3wXjFr3
— Martin Daubney (@MartinDaubney) April 20, 2016