NDP leadership candidate apologizes for Beyonce quote
Niki Ashton used a few words from the recording artist’s song “Irreplaceable” with a photo to make a point about the direction in which her party should move.

thestar.com
March 16, 2017

NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton deleted a photo on social media quoting the lyrics to a Beyonce song after she was accused of indulging in cultural appropriation.

Words with the photo read “To the Left, to the Left,” a phrase from the lyrics to Beyonce’s song Irreplaceable, which Ashton used to used to characterize the political direction she is taking in her run for the NDP leadership.

Black Lives Matter Vancouver tweeted at the politician, saying “Appropriating Black culture is not intersectional feminism,” and asking her to delete the post and “address the issue.”

Ashton, who identifies herself as a feminist and has said she’s committed to fighting inequality, deleted the photo and apologized to BLM Vancouver, saying it wasn’t “our intention to appropriate.” She added that she is “committed to a platform of racial justice.” Ashton also asked for the group’s feedback.

Both BLM Vancouver’s tweet and Ashton’s response received a backlash online, with many confused about how quoting song lyrics was cultural appropriation and others upset with Ashton’s immediate removal of the offending photo.

In response, Ashton tweeted, “I will not tolerate racism or hate speech directed at #BLM or any community.” She also said she appreciated the message from BLM Vancouver, adding, “Showing respect is what building a movement is all about.”