Rapper Sexyy Red has apologised after posting an AI-generated image of herself and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes.
The image, shared on the civil rights leader's holiday, drew criticism, including from Dr. King's youngest daughter, Bernice King.
Bernice called the post disrespectful and criticised Sexyy Red for sharing the image. "This is intentionally distasteful, dishonouring, deplorable, and disrespectful to my family and my father, who is not here to respond himself because he was assassinated for working for your civil and human rights and to end war and poverty," she wrote on X.
Sexyy Red, known for her hit "SkeeYee," quickly removed the image and issued an apology. "You ain’t wrong, never meant to disrespect your family my apologies," she said, adding, "Just reposted something I saw that I thought was innocent."
Bernice responded graciously, accepting the apology. "Thank you for your apology, which I sincerely accept. Please know that it was not my intention that you be denigrated. I value you as a human being," she wrote.
She also explained her concerns about how her father’s image is often misused. "I hope you understand my concerns about the image. I know that my father has become a bit of a caricature to the world and that his image is often used with no regard to his family, his sacrificial work, or to the tragic, unjust way in which he died (a state-sanctioned assassination). Unfortunately, I regularly challenge the disregard," Bernice said.
Bernice further expressed the pain of seeing her father’s memory misrepresented. "I earnestly wish that people would imagine what it would feel like to see their deceased, murdered father repurposed for party fliers, unjust legislation, etc. All the best to you, young lady," she added.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Bernice also shared videos and photos celebrating her father’s life and legacy. In one post, she thanked her followers for honouring him. "Thank you for remembering my father in honourable ways. Thank you for your sincere, kind words," she wrote.
Reflecting on his legacy, she shared, "He wasn’t a saviour, but he did yield himself as a solution. He wasn’t the Light, but he was a light and a love-driven leader. He wasn’t the Truth, but he revealed truth and spoke truth, even when it wasn’t convenient and safe to do so. I’m grateful for him and grateful for you."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who fought for racial equality and justice, was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39.