Dove on racist advert: We missed the mark
A video clip was posted on the company's US Facebook page showing a black woman taking off her brown T-shirt and turning into a white woman after using the product.
JOHANNESBURG - Cosmetics giant Dove says its latest campaign for body wash, which has caused outrage worldwide for being racist, should not have happened.
A short video clip was posted on the company's US Facebook page showing a black woman taking off her brown T-shirt and turning into a white woman after using the product.
What was the mark, @Dove? ๐ค pic.twitter.com/F9KR6YfZKp
โ Ottilia Anna M (@MaS1banda) October 8, 2017
Dove says it โmissed the markโ in thoughtfully representing women of colour.
In a statement, Dove apologised for any offence caused by the advert and said it doesnโt condone any activity or imagery that insults any audience.
It acknowledged that the campaign doesnโt represent the diversity of real beauty and says the post has since been removed from its social media platforms.
However, screenshots of the original advert have already been widely circulated on social media, with some calling for a ban on all Dove and Unilever products in South Africa.
Let's boycott the racist @Dove for their racist campaign. They disgusts me. Their products are for Black people. Clearly. #DoveMustFall pic.twitter.com/3h0KuoeJRO
โ Kagiso Monyadiwa (@KagisoMonyadiwa) October 8, 2017
Let's be clear, Dove knew exactly what they were doing with their racist ad. Soap companies used to do this racist theme all the time pic.twitter.com/EzvAiExNcP
โ Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) October 8, 2017
Let me hit the shower ๐ฟ & cleanse myself of the skin I'm in. Blackness is an albatross around my neck. Maybe Dove was on to something
โ Flo Letoaba (@floletoaba) October 9, 2017
We've got @CoriumSkincare and @nirmalaskincare - local, incredible and growing so strong, and more on @BeautyonTApp ๐๐ฝ๐๐ค๐. Forget #Dove ๐
โ Phumeza Langa ๐ฟ๐ฆโ๏ธ (@phumezamzai) October 9, 2017
Shame on you @Dove pic.twitter.com/YZJuO529Zq
โ Poppy Mathobela (@PopMathobela) October 8, 2017
(Edited by Shimoney Regter)
