Michael B. Jordan Accused Of Cultural Appropriation Over New Caribbean Rum
Published
| Last updated
Michael B. Jordan has been accused of cultural appropriation following the introduction of his new rum.
The 34-year-old actor and producer recently took to Instagram to share pics of his new rum, christened J’Ouvert after the Antellian Creole French term meaning ‘daybreak’.
A description on the rum box packaging describes J’Ouvert as having ‘originated in the pre-dawn streets of Trinidad, as celebration of emancipation combined with Carnival season to serve as the festival informal commencements.’
The description continues:
Crafted on those same islands, J’OUVERT Rum is a tribute to the party start.
J’Ouvert marks the beginning of an annual two day carnival event in Trinidad and Tobago, a celebration filled with plenty of costumes and dancing through the streets.
Some people have now accused Jordan of cultural appropriation, slamming him for trademarking the name of a celebration with which he has no apparent connection.
One person tweeted:
Michael B. Jordan never been to J’Ouvert or mass. But has the nerve to want to profit off West Indian culture and call it J’Ouvert Rum….
Another wrote:
If Michael B. Jordan makes a commercial for this rum with a fake J’Ouvert scene…. just file him and Kendall Jenner under the same tab.
Meanwhile, speaking with Newsday, Minister of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago, Paula Gopee-Scoon, has described the issue as being ‘of extreme concern’ in terms of intellectual property.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org/talk
Topics: Celebrity, cultural appropriation, Michael B. Jordan
