Influencer uses blackface photo to show solidarity with BLM movement

An Algerian influencer has been called out over a “disrespectful” post in which she uses blackface to show her support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Souhila Ben Lachhab is just one of several influencers who have been slammed for painting their face black, supposedly to show solidarity with the movement in response to George Floyd’s death.

The black Minneapolis man was killed in police custody, with his death triggering worldwide protests against racism.

But instead of taking to the streets for peaceful demonstrations, some people have taken a different approach – painting their faces black.

Blackface traces its roots from 19th century minstrel performers who darkened their skin to play characters that promoted negative stereotypes about black men and women.

Lachhab shared a post to Instagram of her sporting half a face of blackface, writing in the cation that it was to show “we are one”.

“Just because we are black on the outside, doesn’t mean that we are black on the inside,” she wrote. “Racist people are the true black heart ones. They are black on the inside, though they do not know it.”

But Lachhab’s followers quickly pointed out that she had missed the point with her post, labelling it wildly offensive.

“Somebody take her phone and delete this,” one person wrote, while another added: “Blackface is sourced from racism, you can express your solidarity without painting yourself. “Blackface is considered racist and offensive and disrespectful, educate yourself for f**k’s sake,” one person commented.

She’s not the only influencer who has been called out over a misplaced attempt to show solidarity to the movement. Tania Saleh shared a photo of her face photoshopped onto a black woman’s body, writing in the caption: “I wish I was black, today more than ever.

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