‘What Pathetic Mess Is This?’ Everyone’s Seriously P*ssed About Snapchat’s Latest Filter

We could spend hours trying out new filters on Snapchat, (the doggy one is our fave, FYI) but the app’s latest filter has sparked some serious controversy.

For those of you who didn’t know, yesterday was April 20th, a day otherwise known as 420; a celebration for weed smokers.

To mark the event, Snapchat teamed up with Bob Marley’s people to make a custom filter of the Reggae star’s face – and people are pissed.

While some claim that the app’s use of ‘blackface’ has racist connotations, others are angered that Bob Marley’s legacy has been misrepresented.

4/20, and you choose Bob Marley to be some sort of filter.
What pathetic mess is this?
The mans a legend, and you remember him for weed

— س|م (@_Speda_) April 20, 2016

I don’t like that the Bob Marley filter is today.Why is it on today and not his birthday? He should be known for his amazing music not weed

— D Guidry (@DevannGuidryy) April 21, 2016

Can @Snapchat explain to me why there’s a Bob Marley filter on 4/20? You realize he did more than smoke weed, right? pic.twitter.com/lNcn80PvEN

— Shit Mexicans Do (@SOMEXlCAN) April 21, 2016

Very disappointed in you, @Snapchat. The Bob Marley filter is not only an insult to the memory of this man, but to people of color as well.

— Ingrid Nilsen (@ingridnilsen) April 20, 2016

So what do we think Twitter? @snapchat‘s ‘Bob Marley’ filter is effectively ‘digital blackface’ right? pic.twitter.com/BTq1x2lpZf

— Ant Meads (@austerityrecs) April 20, 2016

What do you think? Offensive, racist, or just another fun filter on your fave-o app?

Psst! Love Snapchat as much as we do? Follow us at @stellarmagazine. 

Tags:

• Snapchat