The invasion of personal space
Beyonce and Biden in heated debate over ‘body buffer zones’
New York: Megastar Beyonce and former US vice-president Joe Biden found themselves on opposite sides of a heated debate over personal space, sending social media into fits over how close is too close.
The debate concerns less sexual assault than the concept of the “personal bubble” – a sense of necessary physical distance particularly valued in America – set against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement.
Separate incidents saw the unlikely duo find itself the subject of water cooler talk after Beyonce, 37, was crowned “Artist of the Year” on Saturday at the NAACP Image Awards, a celebration of achievements in the African American community.
But it was a seemingly misplaced kiss that got her fans riled up, after a clip of Omari Hardwick, 45, saw the actor kiss her twice on the cheek, once dangerously close to her lips.
Beyonce hasn’t commented on the incident but appeared visibly uncomfortable as the encounter played out on camera, with her husband Jay-Z standing nearby.
Her fans were quick to react, with many Twitter users lambasting Hardwick for breezing past personal boundaries.
As that drama played out, a similar one saw Biden – a longtime Democratic party stalwart – accused of kissing the back of Nevada state lawmaker Lucy Flores’s head in 2014 and making her feel “uneasy, cross, and confused”.
Biden, 76, has repeatedly dismissed allegations of inappropriate behaviour – but the controversy has seen a number of other photos surface that show the politician getting “touchy-feely”, potentially nipping his White House bid in the bud.
In one 2015 picture, he is seen holding the shoulders of the wife of then defence minister Ash Carter, seemingly whispering in her ear.
Stephanie Carter quickly refuted any notion that Biden’s actions were intrusive – but the debate was already simmering.
“I felt invaded. I felt there was a violation of my personal space,” Flores said. “It’s been dismissed as if it’s just Biden being Biden. Boys will be boys. No big deal.
“It is a big deal.”
The concept of a “body buffer zone” – the area surrounding a person that, when invaded, triggers discomfort – is not unique to the United States but highly valued here. — AFP