Michael B. Jordan.Photo: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Michael B. Jordanis issuing an apology after the name of his new rum brand, J’Ouvert, sparked backlash over cultural sensitivities.
An annual festival with origins in Trinidad, J’ouvert — an Antillean Creole French term translating to “daybreak” — goes back to the 18th century, during a time when people were still enslaved in the Caribbean country.
Jordan, 34, posted his apology onhis Instagram StoryTuesday night, writing, “I just wanna say on behalf of myself & my partners, our intention was never to offend or hurt a culture (we love & respect) & hoped to celebrate & shine a positive light on.”
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Michael B. Jordan’s Instagram Story.Michael b jordan/ instagram
“Last few days has been a lot of listening. A lot of learning & engaging in countless community conversations … " theWithout Remorsestar continued.
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Hours before Jordan addressed the controversy, Minaj, 38, shared an image thatbroke down the historical significanceof the J’ouvert event. The post read, in part, “IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE NAME IT’S WHAT IT REPRESENTS PERTAINING TO ENSLAVEMENT AND FREEDOM.”
“I’m sure MBJ didn’t intentionally do anything he thought Caribbean ppl would find offensive— but now that you are aware, change the name & continue to flourish & prosper. 🙏🏾🇹🇹#jouvert,” the “Super Bass” hitmaker wrote in her caption.
source: people.com
