Sky Ferreira Hits Back At Racism Accusations

Hyped American gritty-indie singer Sky Ferreira has hit back at allegations that her video clip for I Blame Myself has racist undertones.

Released yesterday the video, in which Ferreira dances in front of a number of African Americans, is said to be representative of her own upbringing.

The video drew the ire of fans, with one commenting on Facebook “I'm tired of seeing black people used as props.”

In a Facebook post Ferreira wrote, “Some people are accusing of being racist. I usually do not need to feel the need to explain myself (which I'm not) but I DO feel the need to share my thoughts on the situation.

“Nothing upsets me more than being called racist because that is one of the most hateful things anyone can be. Not only do I find it insulting towards myself but I also feel insulted for the actors and dancers and my family in the video.

“No, I did not use black back up dancers as 'props'. I never have and never will look at any human being as a prop. That's disgusting.”

Following further criticisms, Ferreira said today in a second post she is “deeply upset”.

“This song is one of the most personal songs to me on the album and so was the video,” she wrote. “I was putting a lot more about myself out there in this song and video than I ever have before.”

She added, “I've had a lot happen to me this year and by making this video it made me feel liberated from some of it. I Blame Myself is empowering but it's also about feeling like I'm in a constant battle and have to fucking scream to actually be heard and still being misunderstood. It's about being HUMAN.”

Watch the video here.

Ferreira's full posts:

Yesterday:

Some people are accusing of being racist. I usually do not need to feel the need to explain myself(which I'm not) but I DO feel the need to share my thoughts on the situation. Nothing upsets me more than being called racist because that is one of the most hateful things anyone can be. Not only do I find it insulting towards myself but I also feel insulted for the actors & dancers & my family in the video. No, I did not use black back up dancers as "props". I never have and never will look at any human being as a prop. That's disgusting. It's also an idea that has never crossed my mind,which is what I find questionable of the people telling me that I did so.Dancers are objects?!?!?! How dare you! Dancers make things come to life. If they were white would they be considered "props"? I auditioned a bunch of dancers,all races & my dancers were the best ones. I know that you have to be socially aware & mindful of others but when I look at this video I don't see race as a issue.Stop trying to search for something that isn't there. Comments like "rich little white girl exploiting the black people & the ghetto"...I never exploited anyone & I don't use people in any shape or form. My brother is half black. My cousins are black. My family is Latina & Native American. Some of my family is in the video.I wasn't raised in a "white" house hold & I'm not little & I have financially supported myself since I was 15 years old. I'm a woman,not a fucking little girl. Because I have pale skin & green eyes doesn't mean I was raised in Beverly Hills and have Swedish film investor parents or whatever some have created in their minds. Would you feel more at ease if I danced with a bunch blonde white boys at a mall? Should I consciously only cast white dancers for now on? If I'm racist does that mean you're pro-segregation?! I'm from LA & shot the video there. I referenced 90s hip hop videos and Michael Jackson because both of those things inspire me & played a big part of my childhood. The only thing I'm sorry for is if this post seems to come off self defensive,which it isn't meant to be...but I had to share these thoughts because it drove me up the wall. Don't demean the actors & dancers in the video. They are more well spoken & aware than you and I will ever be. Please do research before you make such shitty accusations about people. Anyways...Thank you SSENSE & Atom Factory Management & Grant Singer for making this video happen. We have been trying to make it for a while & I'm so glad I get to share it with the world now <3333333

Today:

I'm deeply upset about a few things. Not only being called a racist,not only having my thoughts turned around & twisted by other but by the fact that I made this video & people have completely missed the message. This song is one of the most personal songs to me on the album & so was the video. I was putting a lot more about myself out there in this song & video than I ever have before. Even with my post,I was pretty vague about my child hood but still somewhat spoke about. Which I had never done before or felt the need to. It wasn't "a liberal white bullshit defense". If you actually read closely I said that I wasn't defending myself. It was the truth & explaining why some of the video is what it is. I was trying to tell people to stop talking about the people in my video as if they are brainless idiots that were manipulated by me or "my team".The one thing I will not let people think is that I spread hatred towards others. I've had a lot happen to me this year & by making this video it made me feel liberated from some of it. I Blame Myself is empowering but it's also about feeling like I'm in a constant battle & have to fucking scream to actually be heard & still being misunderstood. It's about being HUMAN. My entire life is stay silent & "let people think whatever they want to think" or say something and cross your fingers that someone listens & that people don't write you off as "dumb" or "crazy" or "fake". Whatever. I'm glad I Blame Myself is out there in the world & hopefully people connect to it & it makes someone feel better.