Madonna Apologizes For ‘Rebel Heart’ Images Of Black Civil Rights Leaders
Madonna‘s Rebel Heart has sparked a ton of fan art inspired by the album’s cover image, where cultural icons like Frida Kahlo, Michael Jackson and even Homer Simpson appear bound by a BDSM-alluding tangle of black cord. When she re-posted such images of Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 2nd on Instagram, though, Madonna sparked so much outrage that she issued an apology.
“I’m sorry,” Madonna said on Facebook. “I’m not comparing myself to anyone. I’m admiring and acknowledging there [sic] Rebel Hearts. This is niether [sic] a crime or an insult or racist! I also did it with Michael Jackson and Frida Kahlo and Marilyn Monroe. Am I saying I am them? NO.” She also makes sure to point out that she didn’t create those Rebel Heart-inspired images of black civil rights leaders — her fans did: “My fans aren’t racist either.”
Some take issue with, regardless of her fans’ intentions, how Madonna ultimately re-posted these images specifically to promote her new album, out March 2015. Others recall how she referred to her son Rocco as “#disn—a” on Instagram less than a year ago, another social media blunder due to racial insensitivity. However, some fans are wishing that Madonna, “Unapologetic Bitch,” didn’t say sorry.
Did Madonna’s Rebel Heart cover art meme go too far? See the offending images below.
This❤️#rebelheart fought for freedom! Fotka zveřejněná uživatelem Madonna (@madonna),
Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.
