Harry Styles Twitter Controversy: Fans react to 'racist' Native American photo

There are definitely a few words used to describe One Direction’s Harry Styles, but is “racist” now one of them? Thanks to a poorly posted picture on Twitter involving an Indian headdress and the pop sensation, people are calling Harry the “R” word as much as they call him “hunk.” Are these comments just or are people exaggerating a simple photo?

First of all, let’s take a look at this controversial photo (which has since been deleted from the boy band member’s Twitter account for obvious reasons):

So, what do you think of this photo? Is it fair to say it’s a bit racist or has this been blown out of proportion?

What’s strange about this situation is that a One Direction fan account on Twitter was pretty vocal in calling the photo inappropriate. Check out the tweets that launched the Twitter-verse into a bit of a frenzy:

cultural appropriation is not nice, regardless of context or intent. let's leave it at that.

— 1D Updates (@1Dneews) March 14, 2014

i don't think harry is a bad person. i think there's underlying inequality all around the world in current times. i know that i even- — 1D Updates (@1Dneews) March 14, 2014

perpetuate it myself. that's why it's even more important to recognize our mistakes and to act on them.

— 1D Updates (@1Dneews) March 14, 2014

The fan account even responded to other Directioners that didn’t agree with the earlier statements:

@annabelchr i don't think he was trying to be hurtful or offensive. i'm just trying to point out the bigger issue, because people are — 1D Updates (@1Dneews) March 14, 2014

@annabelchr trying to downplay it to protect him. i love harry and i'm sure he's not 'racist' but we shouldn't turn a blind eye.

— 1D Updates (@1Dneews) March 14, 2014

Share your thoughts on this situation in the comments section below!