Dove released a Facebook ad depicting a black woman transforming into a white woman. The ad was for their soap products.
The transition of a black person turning into a white person to sell cleansing products is a long-running racist trope used in soap advertising.
For example, N.K. Fairbank Company, which was in business from 1875 to 1921 depicted a white child asking a black child, “Why doesn’t your mamma wash you with Fairy soap?”
There are countless other examples. Including one for skin bleach.
At first Dove denied the racism claims, but later released this statement, “This did not represent the diversity of real beauty which is something Dove is passionate about and is core to our beliefs, and it should not have happened. We apologize deeply and sincerely for the offense that it has caused and do not condone any activity or imagery that insults any audience.”
This isn’t the first time Dove has been accused of racism. On one of their products it said it was for use for “normal to dark skin.” Implying that dark skin is abnormal.
Then there is this ad depicting the black woman as the before and the white woman as the after.
People everywhere are boycotting Dove over this ad. Do you think the ad is racist? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe.
