The Met Gala is one of the most exciting nights in fashion as guests bring their best-dressed moments, but it’s also an opportunity to highlight activism on the red carpet. Amy Schumer made a splash early in the evening by bringing climate change activist Xiye Bastida to the Met Gala as her guest. Some people were thrilled to see the young activist given a large platform, yet others found Schumer’s stunt offensive and tone-deaf.
Many people on social media are upset with how Schumer introduced Bastida once they made it to the red carpet, mispronouncing her name and not taking the time to highlight the young woman’s work. Others pointed out that given having an impactful guest, the comedian should’ve acted more professionally. Overall, for some, it seemed performative, at best, and the activist serving as an accessory, at worst.
Bastida has made a name for herself within the fashion and climate crisis worlds. She pledged never to buy new clothes, and has continuously committed to this mission. The Indigenous activist is the co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative, a youth-led organization that highlights the intersectionality that exists within the climate change fight.
While it is an easy argument that Schumer’s arrival on the red carpet with Bastida was haphazard, it is a moment of pride for Latine climate change activists to see one of their own at the Met Gala.
We should always expect better and more, yet this isn’t surprising from the comedian, who is known to seem aloof and act jokingly during events like this. She did say in 2019 that going to the Met Gala was a punishment for her.
Fortunately, Bastida is getting lots of buzz right now because of this appearance at the Met Gala. You can learn more about her organization Re-Earth Initiative here.