PARIS, KOMPAS.com – Large companies cosmetics French origin L’Oreal announced, they deleted words like whitening (whiten) from its products.
The policy which was announced on Saturday (6/28/2020) was taken as a form of support for the anti-demonstration racism which is rife in many countries.
L’Oreal follows other multinational companies such as Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and Mars that respond to the movement Black Lives Matter (BLM).
Also read: George Floyd Demo titled Black Lives Matter, What Does It Mean?
Large-scale demonstrations that raised the issue of racism took place, after the death of African-American men George Floyd in Minneapolis, end of May.
“The L’Oreal Group has decided to erase white / whiten, bright / enlightening words from all night skin care products,” the company was quoted as saying. AFP.
This announcement was issued following Unilever’s decision on Thursday (6/25/2020), to change the name of the skin whitening cream in Fair & Lovely products for the same reason.
Unilever said it would remove the word “enlighten” in its product description to “respect all skin tones”.
Also read: Washington Mayor Namai Street Outside the White House Black Lives Matter Plaza
Several companies, including L’Oreal, have recently been criticized for their skin lightening products related to BLM’s global action.
Johnson & Johnson last week explained, they would stop releasing some Neutrogena and Clean & Clear products in Asia and the Middle East, which reduces black spots on the face.
“Healthy skin is beautiful skin,” the Johnson & Johnson statement said.
Meanwhile the Mars food business network in the United States plans to develop the Uncle Ben brand, which puts African-American caricatures in its logo.
Also read: George Floyd’s Demo, 5 Statue of the World Figures Were Mass Destroyed and Something Wasted
Is it just a gimmick?
Elsewhere, Quaker Oats promised to draw a 130-year-old image of Aunt Jemima from the syrup brand and pancake mix, saying it represented “racial stereotypes”.
Australia will also change the name of Allen’s Red Skins and Chicos candy products made by Nestle, because it is considered a racial connotation.
Meanwhile Colgate-Palmolive will “rethink” the brand name Darlie toothpaste sold in Asia, because it means “black toothpaste” for Chinese people. Until 1989 the brand was nicknamed Darkie.
Other business networks have also taken similar steps. Verizon, Honda, Ben & Jerry’s from Unilever, Patagonia, and North Face, including groups that boycotted advertisements on Facebook.
They do it as a form of protest to platform That social media, which allowed hate speech and false information to be uploaded by US President Donald Trump.
Also read: Aftermath of Trump’s Hatred Tests on Social Media, 9 Companies Boycott Ads on Facebook
At the same time, these companies are also closely monitored by the public, to ensure that the policies taken are not mere gimic.
Apple has collected 100 million dollars (1.4 trillion rupiah) to support reform of racial equality, education, and criminal justice
PepsiCo has also disbursed money worth 400 million US dollars (Rp. 5.7 trillion) for 5 years to help the black community and increase the representation of black people in their corporate groups.
According to a report released by the Boston Consulting Group last year, there were only 3 African-Americans and 24 women who led the 500 largest US companies, measured by income levels.
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