Edited by Sophia Savva
The Incident
As the world said goodbye to Aretha Franklin at her funeral on August 31, 2018, the public was forced to say hello to the latest display of casual harassment in the entertainment industry. After performing “Natural Woman” as a tribute to the Queen of Soul, Grande was allegedly groped by Bishop Charles Ellis II as he greeted her onstage. Screenshots of the incident highlight Grande’s visible discomfort with the Bishop’s hand placement as he puts his arm around her. He was also accused of making racist remarks, when he joked that when he first heard Ariana Grande’s name, he thought it was “a new something at Taco Bell”. While Bishop Charles Ellis III has since apologized following public outcry, the incident—and the backlash that followed—indicates the dangerous rhetoric surrounding the topic of casual harassment today. Watch the exchange below:
The Two-Sided Backlash
Many onlookers took to social media to express their disapproval, but it wasn’t the Bishop’s actions that they found disrespectful. Instead, several tweets were circulated about another controversial topic at the funeral: Grande’s choice of clothing.
Like, I get it, you’re Ariana Grande but you’re at the FUNERAL FOR THE QUEEN. HAVE SOME CLASS. You know every auntie in there is ready to tell her that her hair is longer than her damn dress. #ArethaHomegoing pic.twitter.com/ima45NwC3m
— Megan Roberts (@stellarmj) August 31, 2018
Jennifer Hudson in funeral chic. Take note Ariana Grande. This is how you dress for a Black funeral, not like you going to da club. #ArethaHomegoing
— Linda Bain (@LindaBain) August 31, 2018
Good to see Ariana Grande wore a cocktail dress to a funeral. She must have kept her long dresses at home. Next to all of the Aretha albums she doesn’t own.
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) August 31, 2018
However, movements like #MeToo have bolstered a protective and outspoken online community. Numerous users defended the pop singer with the hashtag #RespectAriana, arguing that a woman’s clothing should not be the focal point of a discussion about harassment.
Ariana came to show love to Aretha and celebrate her legacy and she got sexually assaulted and blasted for wearing a dress too short for other peoples liking…#RespectAriana pic.twitter.com/1v4HoIdeDD
— Sweetener OUT NOW!!!? (@Sweetnerotw) September 1, 2018
A 25y/o woman was groped in public at a funeral last night, by a 60 year old pastor & noone helped her. This happens away from the spotlight everyday. The cure from toxic masculinity is not blaming women’s clothing, it’s #metoo.#RespectAriana #ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/V8vuEANDxW
— MIKE BUONAIUTO (@Mike_Shapes) September 1, 2018
Bishop Charles H. Ellis III belittled @ArianaGrande, suggesting she was a Taco Bell menu item, while physically locking her in awkward embrace and squeezing her breast. This has nothing to do with what she’s wearing and everything to do with his shameful refusal to #RespectAriana https://t.co/KEbxaeUIdj
— Kate Woodsome (@kwoodsome) September 1, 2018
The two sides of the backlash are a telling indicator of the current rhetoric surrounding harassment, where messages of outrage intermingle with inklings of victim-shaming.
What We Can Learn from the Queens of Soul and Pop
Unfortunately, Ariana’s feelings of discomfort during her exchange with Bishop Charles Ellis III are not foreign for many of us. Whether it be a quick unwanted touch or a “joke” gone too far, casual harassment manifests itself in subtle actions that victims often brush off to avoid creating a scene. What happened to Ariana Grande in front of thousands of viewers is a reminder that casual harassment can happen to anyone. While Grande did not speak out about the incident, it’s important to remember the messages of empowerment that she continues to share as a role model for many women and young girls. Fans uncovered a past tweet where the Queen of Pop argues that what a woman chooses to wear is not an invitation or excuse for harassment.
Women’s choice. ♡ our bodies, our clothing, our music, our personalities….. sexy, flirty, fun. it is not. an open. invitation.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) December 28, 2016
After all, the exchange itself took place at Aretha Franklin’s homegoing. The Queen of Soul was revered for creating a feminist anthem that stressed the importance of treating each other with “Respect”.
While we honour and remember Aretha, it’s important to hold onto the messages she left behind as we collectively overcome casual harassment and sexism.