Beauty influencers are now incorporating true crime narratives into their makeup video content. YouTuber Bailey Sarian, for instance, shares her full makeup routine while recounting real murder mystery cases on her channel every Monday. In a recent video, Sarian discussed Robert Pickton, a Canadian man who passed away in prison while serving a life sentence for multiple second-degree murder charges. Notably, Pickton was linked to the deaths of 26 women, with DNA from 33 women, particularly Indigenous individuals, found on his pig farm in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Today on the show “Commotion,” cultural critics Amil Niazi and Riley Yesno, along with guest host Ali Hassan, delve into this trend and its implications on our perception of true crime. They touch upon sensitive topics, including violence against Indigenous women, in their conversation.
Riley comments on the gravity of the Pickton case, emphasizing its significance to Indigenous communities in Canada. She raises concerns about the ethical portrayal of such crimes in the media, questioning whether it is done with integrity and respect for the victims and their families. Amil reflects on the public response to Sarian’s videos, noting that her detailed coverage has resonated with individuals connected to the case who feel their stories have not been adequately shared before.
The discussion also touches on how the justice system often falls short in fostering collective healing post-crime. Riley acknowledges the importance of providing spaces for dialogue and sharing experiences, even if unconventional platforms like true crime makeup videos serve this purpose. Such mediums, she argues, can play a role in addressing the profound impact of crimes on communities beyond legal outcomes.
Ultimately, the conversation showcases the complexity of engaging with true crime narratives and the varied responses they evoke from audiences. It highlights the need for nuanced discussions that honor the victims and promote healing in the aftermath of heinous crimes.
For a detailed discussion on this topic, you can listen to the full episode of “Commotion” on CBC Listen or the podcast “Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud,” available on various podcast platforms.