Fashion blogger calls Ghanian child ‘cutest little monkey’ because she doesn’t know any better
Does ignorance excuse being offensive?
A fashion blogger who goes by name Taylor Marie has issued an apology for a caption on an Instagram photo that called a Ghanian child a monkey.
H & M is apparently not alone in its ignorance about comparing Black people to monkeys being offensive. A fashion blogger who goes by name Taylor Marie called a beautiful Ghanian child a monkey in the caption for an Instagram photo.
The caption has since been changed to include an apology for the offensive language and an explanation as to why she posted it in the first place. She has also disabled comments. The blogger claims she meant no harm by referring to the Ghanian child as a monkey and did not know the word had negative connotations when it comes to Black people.
“Last week I was fortunate to take a school organized trip to Ghana, spending some time with many amazing and wonderful children. This time with them wasn’t about me, or any significance on my part. Rather it was about them, and I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow with them. My trip was an amazing experience. I wouldn’t ever miss the chance to do it all again. I want to sincerely apologize with a broken heart – for the offense that a recent post on this subject has caused. It was never my intention for my post to be negative – and those who know me, know that I don’t see any person that way. I was only referring to how the children loved to climb on me like little kids will do. I love her and all children, and was unaware of the history of this negative connotation until now, and I am deeply sorry for the misuse. I would never have knowingly used any term or phrase in a derogatory way. My mistake was made from ignorance, not from negativity or bias. To anyone I may have offended, I can only hope that you can be forgiving.”
Most of Taylor Marie’s Instagram posts are carefully posed shots of her in various outfits during her travels around the country and abroad. Her 3,000+ followers typically post short comments complimenting her on her wardrobe choices.
Does Taylor Marie’s self-proclaimed ignorance of the word “monkey” make the offense excusable? We think not.
