Alabama Barker Faces Backlash for Morphing into a Black Woman Amid Blackfishing Claims

The Backlash

Not everyone is thrilled with the many faces of Alabama Barker. The 18-year-old, who is the daughter of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and former Playboy model Shannon Moakler, is not getting a pass for her bold appearances that have some critics accusing her of cosplaying Black.

The backlash over her brightly dyed wigs, dark lip liner, bronzed skin, and overall aesthetic has resurfaced days after she released the video for her new rap song “Vogue.” While her go-to look is long, blonde tresses, she has been known to switch things up from time to time.

The Blackfishing Transformation

The blackfishing transformation is shocking to say the least, as evidenced by the tweets comparing her old social media posts to those that now populate her accounts. “I remember her entire vision board she made on tiktok was only filled with black ppl and black relationships as a ‘goal’ …..like girl isn’t a vision board supposed to represent yourself,” read one reaction to the resurfaced posts.

An observed sentiment expressed by several was that “she’s definitely tryna be black” and she is “a prime example of those ppl that morph themselves into a whole new person depending on who they hang out with.”

Cultural Appropriation Concerns

Even more people expressed frustration with the perceived cultural appropriation when they noticed that Alabama evolved from a teenager with an air of innocence and an Americana girl-next-door look to that of a young lady who is commonly surrounded by Black women and scantily clad.

A person condemning Alabama’s transformation wrote, “I don’t believe that these ppl want to be black. they know that being in Black spaces gives them social currency! That’s not the same as wanting to be black. in a few years she’ll be back to being her white self. it’s the same formula as Bieber, Post Malone, Jack Harlow, ect.”

Defending Alabama

Her mother, Moakler, was quick to come to the defense of her firstborn child amid the backlash. “Every creed, every race is going to love hip-hop and rap that’s not gonna change,” she told Page Six. Adding that, “For me, it is a very natural progression for [Alabama], because she’s been in the studio with her father with the greatest musicians in the world.”

Conclusion

Alabama Barker’s transformation has sparked a heated debate about cultural appropriation and blackfishing. While some have defended her, others have criticized her for appropriating Black culture. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Alabama will respond to the backlash and whether she will continue to evolve her style and persona.

FAQs

Q: What is blackfishing?
A: Blackfishing is a term used to describe when a non-Black person, often a white person, adopts Black cultural practices, aesthetics, or mannerisms without a genuine understanding or appreciation of the culture.

Q: Is Alabama Barker’s transformation a form of blackfishing?
A: Yes, many have accused Alabama of blackfishing, citing her sudden change in appearance and behavior, which some see as an attempt to appropriate Black culture.

Q: Has Alabama Barker responded to the backlash?
A: Not publicly, but her mother, Shannon Moakler, has come to her defense, saying that her daughter’s love for hip-hop and rap is a natural progression.

Q: Will Alabama Barker continue to evolve her style and persona?
A: Only time will tell, but the controversy surrounding her transformation has sparked a heated debate about cultural appropriation and blackfishing.