South African musician Moonchild Sanelly made waves on Monday after posting a video of herself twerking on Twitter. The video went viral with over 100 000 views, and the singer subsequently decided to start the #MoonchildChallenge.
“Let’s own our bodies and celebrate them by damn ourselves!” she tweeted to her followers, posting a demonstration video.
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By Tuesday morning, the hashtag was trending, but not because South African women were actually participating in the challenge. Many, in fact, agreed that the challenge undermined the country’s growing struggles against gender-based violence and rape culture.
“Imagine taking part in this #MoonchildChallenge considering what’s been happening in our country. Wow what an absolute joke,” one user tweeted.
imagine taking part in this #MOONCHILDCHALLENGE considering what’s been happening in our country. wow what an absolute joke
— Naledi. (@ledeigh_) September 17, 2019
Imaginen participating on this hashtag to please South African men. #MOONCHILDCHALLENGE pic.twitter.com/3g108n7QFv
— Seipati
(@1000_SECONDS) September 17, 2019
From #AmINext to #MOONCHILDCHALLENGE ONLY IN SOUTH AFRICA
— 4D Tha God (@4DTheGod) September 17, 2019
Crying for women’s rights and protection and then you get this #MOONCHILDCHALLENGE? SMH pic.twitter.com/tIkvSwt6jB
— Deeren (@Deeren86) September 16, 2019
#MOONCHILDCHALLENGE oh wow South African women are boss not even a single video, I Stan Queens
pic.twitter.com/4vhadQ6BEd — #sdudlafabulous (@ms_kasidiva) September 17, 2019
After the month we had I’m happy that our queens loved themselves enough not to partake in this. #moonchildchallenge
— a gem. (@ForeverTholoana) September 17, 2019
In the end, the challenge only trended because most women in South Africa decided that participating was disrespectful to themselves and other women in the country.
So the #MOONCHILDCHALLENGE is trending but ain’t nobody doing the challenge? pic.twitter.com/Rd0RGdeE3X
— Lady k¡ng (@Thims_twinkie) September 17, 2019
Despite the #MoonchildChallenge not going according to plan, one quick scroll through the hashtag brings to light the perverted mindset many people still have about female bodies and entitlement.
While some might see the challenge as an opportunity for female empowerment, the reaction by many men who didn’t get to see twerking videos and pictures only perpetuates rape culture.
Feature image: screenshot, Twitter
