Difficult to find voices to support the choice of the French cosmetics giant to remove the words “white”, “whitening” and “clear” from its products. A decision taken in the context of the fight against racism and discrimination, in the wake of the global emotion aroused by the death of George Floyd.
Personalities, anonymous and politicians react with great enthusiasm since the press release published this Saturday. Most humorously denouncing the absurdity of these decisions.
Uh, at the speed where things are going, I have a small question: am I still allowed to have white hair? ….. ???????? #Loreal https://t.co/z1g1YXqNLg
– Isabelle Morini-Bosc (@IsaMoriniBosc) June 27, 2020
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Dear Twitter Doctor,
This morning after drinking my little black, I voted white at the Colbert high school in my neighborhood.
Am I a systemic racist or an unaccounted for disillusioned citizen? # Municipales2020 #loreal #It’s best just to laugh— regis mailhot (@regismailhot) June 28, 2020
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Even among ardent defenders of the fight against racism, such as Rokhaya Diallo, some point to an act of pure communication tinged with hypocrisy.
If I understood correctly the L’Oreal group removes the words “white / whitening” from its products but keeps selling these cosmetics intended to lighten “matt” and black skin?
So is it ok to continue making money on this disaster? https://t.co/jfdFZkJnYd– Rokhaya Diallo (@RokhayaDiallo) June 27, 2020
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Another sign of the sling that is rising in the face of the decision of the French cosmetics giant, the #JarreteLoreal was at the head of French trends on Twitter this Sunday, calling for an outright boycott of all products of all brands of the group. Nationalist spheres in particular have rushed to social networks.
If this French flagship makes its customers weigh the shame of their skin color in the name of this delusional ideology, I ask all the refractory Gauls to stop Loréal. #jarreteloreal
– Philippe de Villiers (@PhdeVilliers) June 27, 2020
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Cosmetic products promising to lighten the skin represent a colossal market, especially in Africa. In 2011, the World Health Organization reported that these “whitening” creams were used by 25% of women in Mali, 35% in South Africa, 59% in Togo and even 77% in Nigeria.
L’Oréal’s decision comes after that of the Indian subsidiary of Unilever, which chose to rename its lightening cream “Fair & Lovely”. The Indian star Priyanka Chopra was criticized on social networks for having supported the “Black Lives Matter” movement while keeping her role of ambassador for one of these brands.
The American giant, Johnson and Johnson has decided to go further, this week by banning the sale of lightening substances designed for Asia and the Middle East.
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