Dove forced to apologise again over 'racist' soap ad
Soap and body wash company Dove has been forced to yank an online advertisement after it was slammed by shocked beauty bloggers and customers alike.
The ad showed a black woman taking off her t-shirt to reveal a redhaired, white woman beneath.
The company apologised via Twitter at the weekend, but has been forced to do so again after customers didn't think it was adequate.
“An image we recently posted on Facebook missed the mark in representing women of color thoughtfully,” Dove originally tweeted on Saturday, “We deeply regret the offense it caused."
An image we recently posted on Facebook missed the mark in representing women of color thoughtfully. We deeply regret the offense it caused.
— Dove (@Dove) October 7, 2017
The apology only sparked more anger and dismay that the ad had ever been approved in the first place.
Is @Dove soap’s marketing strategy
Before - black & dirty
After - Caucasian & clean
Also *who* is approving these ads? pic.twitter.com/l5tq5ZcAJs— Megha Mohan (@meghamohan) October 8, 2017
We strongly condemn this racist campaign by @Dove & note with concern that this is not the first time they've been called out for racism. pic.twitter.com/28FEazUprx
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) October 8, 2017
I don't understand how global brands like #Dove & #Pepsi can be making epic mistakes like this. Like for real who is on your team
— Blessed 💫💫 (@helensinnn) October 8, 2017
WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! HOW DID THIS LEAVE THE WHITEBOARD?!?! pic.twitter.com/3JaPKoMOPZ
— ✨Odion 🗣🎙 (@bodaciousbobo) October 8, 2017
HOW DID THIS EVEN MAKE IT ON THE WHITEBOARD? HOW'D THIS EVEN LEAVE THE CRUMPLED PIECE OF BINDER PAPER
— an intellectual (@TheTamirK) October 8, 2017
There’s this one too... they know what they’re doing. There’s no way this would fly in the US. pic.twitter.com/BO6fiJrJCj
— meh... (@AbbieHollowDays) October 7, 2017
So Dove were back on Twitter on Tuesday with a fresh apology that clearly stated they 'got it wrong'.
[[tweet:https://twitter.com/Dove/status/917444642047778816/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fau.news.yahoo.com%2Fa%2F37406725%2Fdove-face-backlash-over-racist-ad-campaign%2F]]
But of course this isn't the first time Dove have come under fire for being racially insensitive. In another ad from a few years ago, three women are seen lining up under signs that read 'before' and 'after'.
The person under the 'before' sign has the darkest skin, while the one under 'after' has the lightest.
#Dove Not new to controversial ads pic.twitter.com/rerRj85Kh4
— Kefilwe Dire (@mankefi) October 8, 2017
Whoever approved this latest ad will have plenty to think about this week.
Dove you're a disgrace & banned from my house. In fact you have no right to call yourselves "Dove." "Snake" is more appropriate
— Yems (@UKLionHeart247) October 8, 2017
Such disrespect by Dove! My being black is symbolic of dirt? This is pure racism! pic.twitter.com/Xmnp30lAPp
— May Lerone (@MayLerone) October 8, 2017
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