American TikToker faced backlash over a video about Spanish architecture in Mexico

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  • Influencer Melissa Ray shared a TikTok Thursday of her trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.
  • In the video, Ray expressed gratitude for the Spanish architecture built in Mexico.
  • TikTok users were quick to call out Ray’s comment and the harmful, ongoing effects of colonization.

Melissa Ray, an Arizona-based content creator, is facing backlash after she voiced appreciation for Spanish architecture while traveling in Oaxaca, Mexico, on TikTok.

@imelissaray Pictures on my Pinterest 🫶🏼#adayinmylife #boutiquehotels #fashiontiktok #pinterestaesthetic #traveltiktok #latinastiktok #adayinmylifevlog #adayinmylifeaesthetic #vlogs #vlogsaesthetic #oaxacamexico #aestheticvlogs #oaxaca #lifestylevlog ♬ Algo contigo – Rita Payés & Elisabeth Roma

The video, which was posted on Thursday and has over 200,000 views as of Saturday, shows Ray documenting “day in the life” content. At the end of the TikTok, Ray highlights her “gratitude” for the Spanish-influenced architecture found in Oaxaca.

Ray begins the video by taking viewers through her day as a content creator on vacation in Oaxaca, filming at different locations throughout the city.

“Spent the rest of the day touring Oaxaca, admiring everything. It looks like Spain. I know it’s not, it’s Mexico. But, Spain did conquer Mexico and I’m just so grateful that I don’t have to fly so far to admire this beauty,” Ray says in the video.

However, Ray’s TikTok failed to address the harmful effects of Spanish colonization in Mexico, which lasted from 1521 to 1824, according to the History channel.

Ray did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

TikTok users voiced that her commentary was “unnecessary” and “racist” in the comments section

“I am so happy that you get to make your wannabe Española content because of the unforgivable violence that happened and continues to happen to both my ancestors and contemporary indigenous peoples,” Tiktok user vanillasalt333 said in a stitched video. “Looks like we didn’t suffer for nothing y’all, these aesthetic girly pops got exactly what they’re looking for.”

Source: Excelsior

The Oaxaca Post