Just because you apologize doesn’t mean everyone has to accept it. Cierra Ortega is learning that lesson the hard way right now. The Love Island USA star uploaded a video to Instagram, partially apologizing for using a racial slur, while also claiming that she didn’t know it was offensive. Of course, she’s getting feedback from fans, but also from other islanders. Love
Island alum Sharon Gaffka recently weighed in, and she’s not convinced by Cierra’s little Instagram video.
Love Island alum Sharon Gaffka isn’t buying what Cierra Ortega’s selling
Throughout Cierra’s apology video, she told disappointed Love Island fans that she didn’t mean any harm when she used the anti-Asian slur. She mentioned multiple times throughout her apology that she didn’t know the word she used was an offensive one.
In an interview with TMZ, Sharon ripped that argument to shreds. As a woman of Southeast Asian descent, she’s been on the other side of the slur and knows exactly how painful it feels.
“I personally don’t buy it,” Sharon began. “I think she’s tried her hardest not to give the very stereotypical creator/influencer apology, you know, the fake makeup, the fake tears. For me, I think it still lacks accountability.”
Specifically, Sharon called out how the context in which Cierra used the slur was already inherently racist. As a reminder, she initially used the slur when referring to her eyes after receiving a Botox treatment.
“You cannot tell me that someone who makes a derogatory comment about eye shape doesn’t know that’s going to be offensive.”
During the interview, Sharon spoke about her own experiences with anti-Asian racism, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. She recalled someone spitting on her while riding the subway. With that in mind, she thinks it’s important for people to understand the hurt and not coddle people who feign ignorance to avoid accountability.
Sharon explained, “For her to sit there and say that she didn’t understand the history or the meaning of the word, I mean to not understand the history is one thing, but if you are in English speaking country and have access to the internet, then I don’t think there’s an excuse for not knowing that such a word has hurtful and racist connotations.”
Love Island USA is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SHARON’S COMMENTS? DO YOU THINK CIERRA’S APOLOGY LACKED ACCOUNTABILITY?
