‘Everyone Wants To Be Black Until The Cops Show Up’

Jesy Nelson and Nicki Minaj don’t seem to understand why Blackfishing and appropriating Black culture is problematic. Let’s unpack this foolishness.

Photo by Gordon Cowie on Unsplash

Let’s start by setting the thematic tone with two descriptive words: “hot” and “mess.” Nicki Minaj was recently trending, yet again, after defending Little Mix’s former member, Jesy Nelson, after Nelson was accused of Blackfishing in a music video for her solo debut “Boyz,” which features the “Chun Li” rapper. Minaj received harsh criticism from Little Mix fans and even some of her own fans over her comments in support of Nelson. But let’s face it, just as this was not Minaj’s first time being caught in the rodeo of ridiculousness, Nelson is not the first White woman to be guilty of Blackfishing or appropriating Black culture, and she won’t be the last.

Sadly, some people just don’t get it. What might seem to some as keeping on-trend or showing appreciation for Black culture, ultimately perpetuates anti-Blackness and White supremacist ideology.

So, what is Blackfishing exactly? Blackfishing is when a non-Black person modifies their appearance — whether by excessive tanning or pigmented makeup — or appropriates a characteristic associated with a Black person’s phenotype for commercial gain. To be clear, Blackfishing does not only apply to skin complexion…