Justin Bieber: ‘I am inspired by black culture. I have benefited off of black culture’

Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin have a photo shoot in front of pink mural in LA

Justin Bieber has spent much of his career gracelessly appropriating from black people and black artists. Justin isn’t alone there – he’s merely one profitable part of a larger music industry which operates on the appropriation of black music, black culture and black struggle. In Justin’s case, it’s all a particular mess because he also has a personal history of saying the n-word and saying tons of offensive sh-t about black people. But now Justin is sober (ish?) and with Jesus, and he’s been trying to be better. Last December, he even spoke about how ignorant and childish he was about racism when he was younger, and he apologized generally. Anyway, Bieber has some new stuff to say as Black Lives Matter protests go global.

“I am inspired by black culture. I have benefited off of black culture. My style, how I sing, dance, perform, and my fashion have all been influenced and inspired by black culture.”

“I am committed to using my platform from this day forward to learn, to speak up about racial injustice and systemic oppression, and to identify ways to be a part of much needed change.”

[From Billboard]

I’ve been going back and forth about whether to praise him for this very obvious statement or just admit that I actually don’t give a sh-t. I mean, can’t it be both? He’s doing more than some artists and he’s doing a lot less than other artists. I’m glad white people are coming to Jesus on a lot of race and racism issues right now, but Justin speaking about his appropriation is like water announcing that it’s wet. All that being said, my favorite comment about this was “Justin Timberlake would never.”

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, social media.

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10 Responses to “Justin Bieber: ‘I am inspired by black culture. I have benefited off of black culture’”

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  1. CROOKSNNANNIES says:

    I think celebrities are expected to make statements, so if he was going to I prefer him bluntly stating that he benefited off of it than releasing a general platitude. However, I would prefer if he would actually say “appropriated.”

  2. shanaynay says:

    JB, that’s because you’re a POSER!!!!! Now, STFU!!!!

  3. Alissa says:

    okay Justin Timberlake, your turn.

    • Oatmeal says:

      Lmaooo For real,

      If we are gonna a have performative mea culpas , Justin ‘s is long overdue

  4. emmy says:

    Eh, I said this about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds but let’s wait and see. A few years into the future we can judge this. Until then, show us.

    • pottymouth pup says:

      does he have US citizenhsip (dual citizenship) now?

      Until I hear him & his wife speaking out against the GOP, his statement means nothing. You know darn well he & his wife are deep into a conservative religious crowd and will support them while making performative public statements to maintain his financial bottom line

  5. detritus says:

    Step in the right direction. I’m not hating it at all.

  6. Originaluna says:

    JT would never lol
    thats all I got

  7. Valerie says:

    Let’s see if he changes his image now.

  8. Ash says:

    He’s growing up, he’s learning, and I think he’s being honest. It’s a step in the right direction and I think his heart is in the right place these days. And I agree, JT would never!