Police brutality is nothing to make light of, yet for some reason musical icon Celine Dion, thinks its fitting to use it as a gimmick to help her sell children’s clothes.
According to the Daily Mail, Tuesday, the Canadian mega-star shocked fans when she confirmed she was launching a new collection of gender-neutral clothing for children entitled Celinununu by posting a series of bizarre clips on social media.
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In the dark teaser, Dion can be seen laying face down as if she is getting restrained by security in what appears to be a hospital, but it’s done in the same way that is often portrayed in gruesome dash-cam footage or grainy cell phone videos that have preceded the death of numerous unarmed Black people.
In Dion’s world, instead of being shot in the head for resisting arrest or reaching for a cellphone, she instead looks up at the camera and declares: “It’s okay, it’s okay… I’m Céline Dion.”
Then has the nerve to smirk.
The Célinununu site features quotations such as “Raise boys and girls the same way,” “You are entirely up to you,” and “Children must be taught to think, not what to think.”
“Celinununu unites two forces by one voice: fashion has the power to shape people’s minds. inspire your children to be free, and find their own individuality through clothes,” the cite explains about the intention and philosophy behind the fashion line.
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While the singer’s intentions to push back against restrictive gender norms is noble, given the tense political climate, many Americans will likely find her visuals jarring and incredibly the tone-deaf.
The 50-year old’s international fans however don’t seem to see anything wrong, with one publication in New Zealand calling the ad, “surprising and hilarious,” and giving her kudos for, “flexing her funny bone.” Then again, there isn’t the same history of the abuse Black bodies in New Zealand as there is in this country.
“CÉLINE DION BREAKS INTO HOSPITAL NURSERY. GENDER NORMS FOUND DEAD IN A DITCH. GIVE HER A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AND A PEABODY,” tweeted another excited fan.
He may be excited, but something tells us Black Twitter will have a very different reaction when they get a hold of this.
