Harry Styles’ Sister Gemma Thinks Azealia Banks’ Apology Felt Insincere
Harry Styles and his sister Gemma are known by Directioners for their big hearts. In her recent column for The Debrief, the older Styles condemned Azealia Banks for her racist slurs targeting Zayn Malik and Skai Jackson.
The row started when Banks accused Malik of plagiarism. She implied that the crooner is “moodboarding” her. Malik’s responses appeared to have annoyed her further.
No lies … I see you reaching but I don't care ????
— zayn (@zaynmalik) May 10, 2016
My @'s too good for you
— zayn (@zaynmalik) May 10, 2016
She went on to describe Malik with racist and homophobic insults. She also said that despite his efforts to be famous, he’s still known as the “token” of One Direction.
Jackson tried reasoning out with Banks but ended up being called a “black little b***c.” She was also advised to go under the knife to fix her appearance.
Banks’ remarks triggered an outpour of angry responses on social media. As a consequence, she was suspended from Twitter and was dropped from a prized slot at Rinse FM’s Born & Bred Festival in East London.
In her weekly column, Styles called out Banks for abuse.
“Azealia Banks, the latest example of a public Twitter meltdown, didn’t just blow her top, she went on a vile, bilge-spilling tirade of homophobic abuse and racist slurs – among other things. This to me is not an example of someone venting frustration in an understandable format, but a bigot and a bully showing her true colours.”
The 25-year-old also said that Banks’ apology did not suffice.
“She might have said sorry now. But I think Banks’ apology is more of a ‘sorry I said it in public’ sort of apology. This is the kind of behaviour that shouldn’t be tolerated, celebrity or not.”
For the journalist, while some celebrities deserve empathy as they are “judged too harshly,” Banks’ case was different. On May 15, Banks used her Instagram to apologize.
“I want to extend my sincerest apologies to the world. Employing racial/sexual slurs/stereotypes in attempts to make fun of or degrade another person or group is absolutely unacceptable and is not fair or fun for anyone.”
Banks also got embroiled in a feud with the former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Banks made a comment when she saw a news story where Palin said that black people “loved being slaves.” The rapper then retaliated and suggested that her audience must “find the biggest burliest blackest negroes and let them run a train on her.” Banks didn’t realize that the story was satirical and made-up.
Palin reminded Banks to use her influential platform to promote something worthwhile. She also discussed things with her attorney. The politician said that all parents must strive to check their children’s playlists to ensure that they do not contain materials that promote rape. The musician apologized and blamed her tweet on her “really crass” sense of humor.
The same thing happened when Banks used a homophobic slur against a Delta Air Lines flight attendant. Banks was playing tug-of-war with the flight attendant, and out of annoyance, she said that the attendant was a “f***ing f****t.”
Banks defended her action and said she was merely standing up for herself.
“Ok so I get hit in the face by a man and no one cares. They only hear what I called the man who was blocking my exit. I don’t care. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t tolerate b***ha**ness and I don’t tolerate men putting their hands on me.”
[Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images]
