Snapchat is under fire for its new Bob Marley filter, which critics are blasting it for giving people the digital equivalent of “black face”.
Snapchat launched the special filter to mark April 20 (420) a day that has become associated with the pro-cannabis culture.
The filter merges the person’s own face with Marley’s and includes his signature deadlocks and multi-coloured hat.
Snapchat told Mashable it had approval from the Bob Marley Estate to use his image, however people have deemed the filter “racist” and say it perpetrates a stereotype of black people being involved with cannabis.
One person on Twitter says Bob Marley is “more than a weed mascot”, with many users calling out the social media platform for using the digital equivalent of black face.
Snapchat responded by issuing a statement to Wired saying the filter gives people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music and they have respect for his achievements.
Snapchat has made a "Bob Marley" filter for 4/20? Lol don't reduce the brother's legacy to nothing more than a weed mascot for white hippies
— Jordan Rose (@ZER0DayVirus) April 20, 2016
but of course Kylie Jenner used that terrible Bob Marley Snapchat filter pic.twitter.com/3Ieoz48ust
— Elena Cresci (@elenacresci) April 20, 2016
All the things Bob Marley did, stood/fought for, & accomplished, & he's reduced to just a weed symbol for stoners. Amazing.
— Lé Cocoapuff (@RespectTheAfro_) April 20, 2016
Bob Marley is more than 'One Love', weed and dreads. He was a revolutionary. Remove that racist filter @Snapchat
— ♡ (@glosssu) April 20, 2016
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