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Influencer Kris Schatzel called out for staging Black Lives Matter photos and her response is even worse
9 June 2020, 14:15
Instagram influencer Kris Schatzel has defended her staged photos at Black Live Matter protests saying it would be "detrimental" to the movement to criticise her.
We've all seen the videos online - and now the influencer who's responsible for staging photos at a Black Lives Matter protest without even joining in, has spoken out to defend her decision.
Kris Schatzel, a YouTuber and Instagrammer with over 241,000 followers, was caught on camera at a Black Lives Matter rally, posing for her photographer with a 'Black Lives Matter' sign as marchers walked by, before walking away from the scene once she'd got the shot she needed.
Yikes.
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It's no secret that while activists have been hit with rubber bullets, spending day and night on the streets fighting against police brutality, many large white-owned corporations as well as influencers have been using the situation as an excuse to push their performative racism for clout online - and Schatzel's case is just another example of that.
Black lives matter. But likes and shares and internet clout matters more when you're a fucking influencer 🤮🤮🤮🤮 pic.twitter.com/tie2693Mkg
— Jer Dixon (@JeremyDixonDJ) June 6, 2020
Given that the world was quick to call out her actions, you'd think that the 27-year-old would've stepped up to the mark to apologise. But nope. Instead, she hit out at her critics, adding that criticising what she did is "detrimental" to the movement as a whole.
“I truly believe this level on (sic) intolerance and hateful comments are detrimental to the movement and what we are all trying to achieve for black and brown communities," she wrote, before putting her Instagram account on private. “I hope we can all we can all focus on the true cause as to why we are all here.”
This is what she has to say about it 😶😐
— The Hungry Shetty (@thehungryshetty) June 6, 2020
Even though I'm on the other side of the globe and am influencer myself, somehow I believe this is not the way to go about it😐
Thoughts ? pic.twitter.com/z55vT2K070
Despite her attempt to rectify the situation, people are not happy.
The card says BLACK LIVES MATTER. The action tells me INSTA LIKES MATTER MORE.
— Dimuthu Jayawardana (@dimuthuj7) June 5, 2020
There is a time and a place for social influencing. What you did was opportunistic. Did you have to be in a gown and all glammed out? No. You're insensitive and self-serving.
— Shellane Demarest🎥 (@FOY1966) June 7, 2020
That whole apology made me gag. Doesn’t seem genuine at all
— shit head carl (@knuckifyoucuck_) June 6, 2020
She keeps talking about how "we" need to do better. How about YOU stop clout chasing at a protest against police brutality. Social media influencer/model seems to be just another term for someone with narcissistic personality disorder.
— 🌹 Sam Hatch 🌹 (@_SamHatch_) June 7, 2020
I'm clearly done with the dumb people. Are you not tired about their fake excuses, just in order to get more visibility and so potentially more clicks?
— Maddy 💕 (@lovelyMaddyx) June 8, 2020
I'M. DONE.
Points were made. And while the rest of the world uses this moment as an opportunity to educate themselves on how to support the black people in their lives, and Minneapolis City Council have vowed to disband the police, it's time that those with platforms stopped putting on a show and provided genuine action.
Want to support Black Lives Matters protestors? Here's what you need to know.
