Overwatch's new Mei skin draws criticism for cultural appropriation
The MM-Mei skin has the Chinese hero sporting a Black hairstyle.
www.pcgamer.com
Overwatch has unveiled a new legendary skin for Mei, and that hairstyle ain't it.
The MMA-inspired skin MM-Mei appeared on the Overwatch League store yesterday, sporting a fighter's robe, gloves, and championship belt. But it also gives Mei—a Chinese hero—cornrows, a traditionally Black hairstyle.
The inspiration for the hairstyle appears to have come from Zhang Weili, a Chinese MMA fighter who wears her hair in a similar style. Tight braids are common amongst MMA fighters with longer hair, but cornrows are typically not worn by fighters who are not Black.