Appreciation Or Appropriation? Adele’s Latest Post Sparks Controversy!

Adele is out here living her best life — getting snatched, slaying on Instagram, you know, the usual. However, the vocal powerhouse has stirred up a bit of controversy with her latest IG post, but the question still remains … is it appropriation or appreciation?

Over the weekend, Adele attempted to show her love of the Noting Hill Carnival by sporting Bantu Knots and a Jamaican flag bikini top. The huge street festival, which was cancelled this year due to COVID, is a yearly event in Adele’s hometown of London that is led by the British West Indian community and celebrates their culture.

View this post on Instagram

Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London 🇬🇧🇯🇲

A post shared by Adele (@adele) on Aug 30, 2020 at 3:17pm PDT

And while it may have come from a place of well-intentions, many bristled at the “Rolling In The Deep” singer’s appearance.

Twice this weekend I have seen people do backflips to defend white women in Bantu Knots. If you spent the whole summer posting #blacklivesmatter and don’t see the problem here, you were lying the whole time.

— The Vixen (@TheVixensworld) August 31, 2020

If 2020 couldn't get anymore bizarre, Adele is giving us Bantu knots and cultural appropriation that nobody asked for.

This officially marks all of the top white women in pop as problematic.

Hate to see it. pic.twitter.com/N9CqPqh7GX

— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) August 30, 2020

Bantu knots. On her white scalp. pic.twitter.com/ubosdswjfN

— • (@blekdiamonds) August 30, 2020

certain "Black hairstyles" are PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES, not a trend/aesthetic to make you look more ethnic. what the hell are you tryna protect karen? pic.twitter.com/9SkIJpyQkG

— SCOTTIE 💸 (@eyeofscottie) August 30, 2020

However, for every person that felt offended, there was another person who applauded Adele’s efforts.

Honestly this is exhausting, I'm a South African from the Zulu Bantu tribe specifically and i didn't take offence to Adele wearing Bantu Knots , it's not cultural appropriation and i doubt there was any malice intended by doing bantu knots

— @Jola (@Jola55124499) August 31, 2020

Poppycock! This humbug totally misses the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival and the tradition of “ dress up” or “ masquerade” Adele was born and raised in Tottenham she gets it more than most. Thank you Adele. Forget the Haters. https://t.co/sabpPPRtID

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 31, 2020

The thing is you can tell Adele actually grew up around Black people and is respectful that’s why no one’s too mad. It’s like your white friend you grew up with that you need to pattern once in a blue moon, not the same as Pandora from Hertfordshire gentrifying Notting Hill

— Jason Okundaye (@jasebyjason) August 30, 2020

Jamaicans is trending because SJWs are accusing Adele of cultural appropriation for wearing a Jamaican flag and Bantu knots.

We are the most unbothered people on the planet who have nothing but appreciation for everyone appreciating our culture.

Ya'll are miserable and ignorant pic.twitter.com/AL4lATICDh

— Keiko 🇯🇲 (@GolferGirl305) August 31, 2020

What do you think? Does Adele deserve a pass as she is so obviously influenced by, and openly appreciative, of Black culture — or, did she take it too far this time?