Twitter is up in arms after Ciara shared a video on her Twitter and Instagram. The R&B singer posted a video of a pastor with the words 'Too many women want to be married but you're walking in the spirit of "girlfriend" '. On Instagram, the singer added the caption '#LevelUp. Don't settle', and this set people off.
As usual, people took to Twitter to express their opinions - but people were divided over the issue. Many thought Ciara, who has been married to NFL player Russell Wilson since 2016, was shaming unmarried women. The fact that the video she posted was of a male pastor telling women how to live their lives was not lost on commenters, some who thought it was a tone-deaf post by the singer.
Ciara’s comments were offensive. It just came off in a very elitist tone especially with the “level up” caption. it also creates this narrative that a woman serves no purpose if she is not considered to be worthy of marriage.
— MAMA💋 (@MedusaShowOff) January 21, 2018
Do you know what's funny about the video Ciara posted?
— Toni (@t0nit0ne) January 21, 2018
Quite a few women who have what a pastor would deem as 'wife qualities', tend to be single, because it's hard for them to find a man who appreciates their principled nature.
Predictably, some people couldn't help but point out the irony in the situation. Many people brought up Ciara's own chequered personal life and past relationships to show what they thought was hypocrisy on her part.
Ciara went from Bow Wow to 50 Cent to Trey Songz to Amare Stoudemire to Cam Newton to Future and now Russell Wilson 🙄 Girl, have several seats. Don't ever shame other women just because they don't have a ring yet when it took you dating 7 famous men for you to get one.
— Sy (@InHerOwnLeague) January 21, 2018
#Ciara You weren't "walking in the spirit" when you got pregnant with Future's son OUT OF WEDLOCK. Now run & tell that!
— Christen Lynch (@ChristenLynch) January 21, 2018
Guys. Remember ciara was engaged to bow wow. We haven’t experienced the pain she’s experienced, let her be.
— megan decent. (@ayomaurice_) January 21, 2018
There were plenty of people who saw nothing wrong with what Ciara had posted, and proudly said so. Both men and women though the singer had a point.
If you’re in search of a husband, you can’t be anything less than a wife. It makes sense. Y’all do need to level up and get your shit together. Ciara didn’t say anything wrong.
— miss thang 🌹 (@AsiaAtItAgain) January 21, 2018
Cardi B : “If you don’t have a job and you’re not in school get you a sugar daddy.”
— Kiana-Renai👸🏾💙🇺🇸 (@kianarenai) January 21, 2018
Y’all : “YASSSS SIS!!!! THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!”
Ciara : “If you want to find a good husband act like a good wife.”
Y’all : “YOU MISOGYNISTIC, SELF HATING FEMALE!” pic.twitter.com/ErTnDhzCPy
What's wrong with #Ciara teaching women how to find a husband? Better than this toxic hookup loveless culture we're being indoctrinated with. There's absolutely nothing wrong with getting married and starting a family - it should be glorified.
— Isabelle Santiloni (@gracekarach) January 21, 2018
I don't think Pastor Gray said anything wrong. Ciara said level up meaning become a wife. But she had to learn that herself.
— MsSouthernBelle (@MsSouthernB4U) January 21, 2018
Nevertheless, most people who voiced their opinions did not agree with the sentiment in Ciara's post, and saw it as yet another attempt to put pressure on women.
Women who find this affirming are so embarrassing. They cling onto this idea that they're exceptional like it's gonna exempt them from the next guy whose gonna call them a hoe. Ciara is a whole wife but men STILL look down on her.
— Bartier Wiggles (@SadieWiggles) January 21, 2018
When will you realize it's not us, it's them? https://t.co/64hQEuQQs7
Marriage doesn’t define self worth. It’s just a social/religious obligation. Focus on growing healthy relationships. Neither is it an accomplishment.
— Person of Affluence (@EniolaHu) January 22, 2018
So, no #levelup Ciara. Chill. Kenya Moore too. https://t.co/FVdtCf4NEV pic.twitter.com/gZKHUOUSIG
The problem with the video Ciara posted is that it is misogynistic & sexist. It was an awful video. I understand finding a good man to love you & your child. But the pastor was saying that a woman’s worth is based on having a husband. Which is completely false.
— Bella Goth (@HoodSocialist) January 21, 2018
Ciara eventually posted what many people thought was a response to the backlash over the video she shared. In a post on her Instagram, the singer ended with "That's when I realized married or not married...I needed to love myself #LevelUp". Hmm.
The internet is divided, but what do you think? Does Ciara have a point, or is this just another case of women being shamed and pressured into certain roles?
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Join us on Twitter to keep the discussion going.
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