Given the strides changemakers like Rihanna have made in promoting diversity and inclusion, one might hope to see even more respect for Black women in the beauty industry. We’re at the forefront of today’s work, from Donyal Luna’s iconic acrylic nails that made her the first black woman to grace the cover of Vogue in 1966, to Aaliyah’s signature winged eyeliner. She is the originator and trendsetter of many hairstyles, makeup hacks, and practices. But some disturbing trends are emerging, such as the “breathless” boom of 2020. What’s the latest addition to this troubling trend? “Ghetto Makeup.”
This viral tutorial recently appeared on TikTok and was powered by the platform’s AI algorithm. Users and creators have expressed dissatisfaction with the trend, which primarily features black girls, especially those with darker skin, wearing makeup. The search results also show Caucasian girls participating using bronzers and products that are significantly darker than their natural skin tone. The situation has raised concerns about whether TikTok can be a safe space for creators of all races. In a video highlighting the trend, model and makeup artist Bria Jewell poignantly asks, “Is everything black women do ghetto?”
Skye Solomon, another creator in the conversation, originally intended to highlight her unconventional makeup routine. In her early days as a creator, she filmed a video of a Fenty foundation bottle breaking, pouring the remaining product into a cup, and continuing to use it. While some viewers criticized her, labeling it “ghetto”, others supported her decision to adapt and use the product in a different way, thereby making their He pointed out that his daily life has become more comfortable. The resurgence of the term, which may have been influenced by TikTok’s algorithm, raises questions about its acceptability, but that doesn’t justify its use.
For decades, African Americans have been unfairly stereotyped by the word “ghetto,” and its use as a makeup trend has become problematic. Historically, the term began to be used in 1516 to refer to the Venetian ghetto, a place where Jews were forced to live, and later during the Holocaust. In modern society, “ghetto” often refers to areas of cities dominated by minorities, especially black people, as a result of systemic political and social decisions. This term is derived from racism and hateful ideas that perpetuate racism and should be banned in any manner.
TikTok has been transparent about its use of AI tools like ChatGPT to generate search highlights. This is not inherently a problem, but these technical tools often reflect the biases of their creators. The popularity of “ghetto makeup” becomes even more troubling because the highlights are based on users’ interests and questions. The app’s algorithm allows users to search for what’s popular, prioritized by just one person, highlighting the disturbing reality that it’s somehow assumed that it’s unacceptable for black women to wear makeup. It has become.
While it remains unclear whose search history sparked the obsession with “ghetto makeup,” this trend raises an important point that society needs to figure out: respect our culture or leave it alone. emphasizing one or the other.
