Posting memes alongside selfies is pretty common these days. But when those memes include anti-gay slurs, they’re bound to raise some eyebrows.
So discovered rapper Ice Spice, who posted a selfie and a meme to her account on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon. The picture of Ice Spice is innocent enough, showing her posing in a bathroom. It’s the meme that’s creating controversy: a screenshot of a fake post from Icelandic singer Björk with the caption, “I kinda look like a f*ggot.”
Ice Spice’s indirect use of the f-slur immediately caused an uproar, with folks across the internet cringing and calling for her cancellation.
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a WHAT? oh its over for ice spice
— matz ౨ৎ (@matzsvision) November 8, 2024
Since when did we become so comfortable with that word— pic.twitter.com/kqw36z93Nl
— Anne (@AnneTheReUp) November 8, 2024
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The queer community is taking revenge on the men who act one way in the bedroom and another way in the voting booth.
This was…not the moment girl
But others supported Ice Spice’s right to use the word if she wants, especially in a joking context, considering she identifies as queer herself.
she Literally talks abt how she’s part of the community in 1 of her songs✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/a5LrUU9WUc
— ✞ (@internat1onalqt) November 8, 2024
In fairness, the f-slur has been used more and more liberally lately by queer folks in the name of reclamation. Some folks think only queer men have the right to use the word as its primary targets, but others think that privilege extends to all LGBTQ+ folks. Does that mean Ice Spice has the right to use the word? It’s a matter of opinion — and based on the discourse, the internet isn’t coming to a consensus any time soon.
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