Why was influencer Jackie Aina criticized for using the word Sòrò Sókè?

Maddii Aug 6, 2022, 3:56 AM EDT

Nigerian influencer Jackie Aina is coming under fire on social media for labeling one of her new candles Sòrò Sókè.

Here is everything you need to know.

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Jackie Aina’s Sòrò Sókè controversy explained

Jackie Aina, who has just turned 35, presented her new Owambe candle collection on August 5.

For her new product, she teamed up with fashion designer Claude Kameni and FORVR Mood, a brand established by Aina.

Regardless, the collection consisted of four new fragrances, namely Sòrò Sókè, No Wahala, Soft Life and Spice Of Life.

This caused a lot of drama for the influencer as the word Sòrò Sókè is associated with a controversial protest in Nigeria. The term originated in Yoruban (an ethnic group from West Africa) and means ‘to speak loudly’ or ‘not to be silent’.

In 2017, young people in Nigeria came together to protest police brutality that led to the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Online campaigns used hashtags such as #EndSARS and #SòròSókè during the protest.

Hence, many users criticized Aina for using a sensitive slogan to market her product.

Users react to Jackie Aina’s Sòrò Sókè

Many social media users expressed their stance on Jackie Aina by using a protest slogan to sell her new candle collection.

One user noted: “Dear non-Nigerians, The reason this is getting so much backlash is that Jackie Aina cheekily named one of the candles ‘Soro Soke’, which translates to ‘speak’. It was one of the shouts of war during EndSars But Jackie was remarkably quiet during the protests.

Another wrote, ‘wow. that’s a fucking shame. I’m not Nigerian but I know I’m going to block it. Thank you. rough.’

While someone said: ‘Jackie Aina is a great example of those who remember that they are Nigerian when it is time to use it for influence.’

Another user noted: ‘Jackie Aina always seemed like an opportunist, really. she was never adamant about anything.

Who is Jackie Aina?

Jackie is a Nigerian-American YouTuber who develops content focused on cosmetics and personal care.

Aina has expressed her support for people of color. She also spoke about how the social media visibility of citizens from minority groups should be increased.