Morgan Bettinger has found herself at the center of a controversy that has caught the attention of the public, including influential figures like Elon Musk. The controversy stems from a partnership between beauty giant Dove and Zyahna Bryant, a Black Lives Matter activist who had previously accused Bettinger of making derogatory remarks during a 2020 Charlottesville rally.
Zyahna Bryant, a fellow student at the University of Virginia, accused Morgan Bettinger of making offensive comments during a 2020 Charlottesville rally. Bryant claimed that Bettinger had insinuated that George Floyd protesters would serve as “speed bumps.” This accusation led to a series of events that profoundly affected Bettinger’s life.
Bryant campaigned for Bettinger’s suspension from campus, and Bettinger faced disciplinary actions as a result of the allegations made against her. However, Bryant later admitted that she may not have accurately heard the alleged remarks, raising questions about the accuracy of her accusations.
The controversy resurfaced when Dove, a renowned beauty brand, announced its partnership with Zyahna Bryant for a “body positivity” campaign. This partnership triggered widespread backlash, with some loyal customers vowing to boycott Dove products in protest. Carole Thorpe, a former Dove customer, shared a photo of three bars of Dove soap in the trash, expressing her disappointment with the brand’s association with Bryant.
Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, also weighed in on the controversy, calling Dove’s partnership with Bryant “messed up.” The backlash on social media was significant, with many users using the hashtag #BoycottDove to voice their discontent.
Who is Morgan Bettinger?
Morgan Bettinger, a college student and the daughter of a deceased police officer, faced a torrent of abuse and a campaign to remove her from the University of Virginia. Staff and students at the university rallied against her, and her future prospects were compromised.
Despite the subsequent revelation that Bryant may have “misheard” Bettinger’s alleged remarks, the damage was done. Bettinger was found guilty of making a legitimate threat, despite a lack of concrete evidence to support Bryant’s claims. This ruling has had lasting consequences, as it is noted on Bettinger’s permanent record, potentially affecting her chances of pursuing higher education.
