ALBAWBA - A recent moment involving allegations of blackfishing has ensnared Halima Boland, a well-known Kuwaiti TV host and social media influencer.
The 42-year-old celebrity, who is quite active on several social media sites, shocked her fans when she posted a video of herself with a much darker complexion than normal.
Many felt Boland was blackfishing and copying Black culture because the video showed her with a much darker complexion than her actual skin tone. What we call "blackfishing" happens when people who aren't Black try to pass themselves off as Black or mixed-race by changing their hairstyle, skin tone, or other cosmetic features.
Boland was immediately criticized by social media users for what they saw as a lack of knowledge of culture and racial appropriation. Her critics said that she was using Black identity for her own benefit and that she was spreading false assumptions. The photos and video sparked passionate discussions about privilege, racism, and identity as it went viral online, further fueling the criticism.
