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As the family and friends of Aneka Townsend, more popularly known as Slickianna, try to come to terms with her death, some of them have also been trying to control their anger caused by the negativity being spread about her.
The body of the influencer and model was discovered floating on a beach in Reading, St James, last Friday. Kareem Weathers, social media influencer, podcaster and radio show host, told THE STAR “Oftentimes we are treated like objects rather than humans. I’ve spoken to friends about this, people have written and promoted the most negative things about us without even knowing the effect it can have.”
Selfless, energetic, supportive and thoughtful were the words he used to describe Townsend. Weathers, also known as Kareem Bwoyatingz, who met and developed a close relationship with Slickianna, said that he would like his colleague and friend to be remembered for the positive impact she had. It is one of the reasons that various brands continued to partner with her to promote and attract business to their pages. He said that Townsend was caring, sometimes so much so that it might cost her own happiness.
“Aneka was ‘that girl’. I would say this to her all the time because she embodies what a true influencer is, without even trying to be one. Aneka was an influencer before we even knew what that word was. But for years they dragged us through the mud on the gossip sites, not understanding we have feelings and emotions. And since her passing, her name has been circulating with tons of negativity,” he said.
Weathers said he and Townsend used to talk on the phone for hours, offering each other advice on various aspects of life and sharing their goals.
“I know I could depend on her for motivation. She would tell me how proud she is of me and she’s proud of my growth. I’ll miss this the most. I’d hope she will be remembered for the great moments, the life of the party, being a great mom, a great daughter, sister, friend and an amazing social media personality. She just lived her life unapologetically and made sure to live to the fullest,” he said.
Errice Anderson, owner of Errice Alicia designs and an influencer, described Townsend as being genuine and kind.
“She was very open and transparent and I appreciated that because we encounter fake people daily especially on social media. A lot of people didn’t get to see that side of her and she articulated her emotions so well so it gave insight to her soul, and Aneka is just the purest soul,” Anderson shared.
She also expressed disgust at how desensitised the social media community is.
“Nothing is sacred. We’ve become so desensitised as a community that we forget that before anything, we are humans,” she said, while questioning why persons were circulating pictures and video of Townsend’s body.
“As a mother, that’s the first thing I thought of, how is her son going to heal or start healing rather, if he has to see these images for the rest of his life? It’s so heartbreaking. She would have cried if she could know that he isn’t going to be protected from seeing her in that state,” she continued.
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