Zendaya Shames Giuliana Rancic for Oscar Night Comments About Her Dreadlocks

[one_voice]

The line between offensive and hilariously offensive is a fine one that many of the most controversial comedians walk every day. In fact, the line is so fine that, most of the time, I’m of the opinion that the potential for offense is just not worth the small window of comedy that people are trying to squeeze through. That was what happened when Giuliana Rancic discussed Zendaya’s look at the 2015 Oscars on the Fashion Police. The show is pretty much known for either heaping praise onto each celebrity’s look or throwing hilarious insults at the celebrity’s fashion choices, but Rancic’s comments forced her to apologize because she said that Zendaya’s dreadlocks made her look like she smelled like weed. Just some casual racism, no big deal.

Except big deal. Very big deal. To be specific, what Rancic actually said on the Fashion Police was, “I feel like she smells smells like patchouli oil… or maybe weed.” Zendaya, who had worn the “locs” to the Oscars in order to give them a more positive view in the public eye, was more upset that Rancic immediately went for the weed reference than she was about Rancic not loving her look. In fact, she responded with an entire Twitter rant that got her a slow clap from the likes of Chloë Moretz and Khloé Kardashian. Hell, I myself am still giving her a slow clap of my own.

*snip*

The fact that it was not until adulthood that I began to see African-American hair as truly beautiful, relaxed or otherwise, is the reason why I understand completely where Zendaya is coming from here. With her joke, Rancic played straight into the insidious stereotype that Zendaya was trying to dispel about dreadlocks. Rancic highlighted the exact popular opinion that make the hairstyle one that people refuse to take seriously, or to consider beautiful. And, although she didn’t intend it, her joke did have racial connotations that were incredibly unpleasant and completely justifiable for Zendaya to call her out on. However, on Tuesday, Rancic did issue an apology:

*snip*

http://www.bustle.com/articles/66241-giuliana-rancic-gives-zendaya-an-apology-after-fashion-police-comments-but-its-just-not-good-enough

[yeoman6987]

1. I like Zandaya a lot. She is a poised young lady.

She was great on Dancing with the Stars. Glad Guiliana apologized.

[LittleBlue]

2. Her hair looked really cool

I thought she was among the best dressed for sure. Her hair made her stand out.

Criticizing her hair was a cheap shot against her.

[Schema Thing]

3. Except that's not racism

that's hippy punching. Not funny in 2015 or really ever, but not racism.

[Schema Thing]

4. oh and I just went and looked at her pic

anyone who thinks that heavenly creature smells like anything but a field of flowers is nutz!