LETTERS: HALEY Kalil's TikTok video titled "Let Them Eat Cake", released for the Met Gala in New York recently, has caused a furore at a critical juncture as the world turns its attention to Israel's attack on Rafah.
The video could not have come at a better time as parts of Gaza are facing full-blown famine, and the world is watching in horror as the genocide unfolds.
The cake quote is attributed to French queen Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution. She purportedly said this after being told that her people had no bread to eat.
The quote is often used to illustrate how disconnected the elites are from the realities of the people.
With the assault on Rafah, TikTok users are calling for the "digitine" movement — an abbreviation for "digital guillotine".
Social media users refer to this as "Blockout 2024", where they block the account of the elite.
It's a movement against celebrities, influencers and wealthy socialites, who are tone deaf and do not use their resources to lift the sufferings and injustices all over the world, especially in Gaza.
The digitine would affect the income of those influencers, reducing their revenue, business sales and engagements.
Among the targets are Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift. Reports quoting Blockout2024.org said Kardashian has already lost more than three million followers overnight.
"Blockout 2024" has also reached Malaysian shores, with similar calls being made to block local celebrities and influencers.
Kalil's video to highlight the ostentatious US$75,000-a-ticket Met Gala shows how disconnected the United States elite are from ordinary citizens.
In recent weeks, the US administration has faced mounting pressure as pro-Palestine encampments spread to some varsities.
The conflict has exposed the hypocrisy among the US elite, as well as their counterparts in Europe, especially in the different treatment shown between the Ukraine and Gaza wars.
MOHAMMAD ABDUL HAMID
Head of Economic Prosperity Cluster
IKRAM
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times