Twitter calls for boycott of Dove products after 'racist' ad
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Image: Screengrab via Twitter
Twitter has been left infuriated by a Dove advert that has been dubbed 'racist' and has led to thousands of social media users threatening to boycott.
It's been more than 24 hours since a screenshot from the full advert surfaced, but it continues to dominate the Twitter trends list.
The advert which has since been withdrawn by the company shows a black woman taking off her t-shirt, before she morphs into a white woman, seemingly because of a bottle of Dove body wash.
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
Dove issued an apology which it posted on its Facebook page, saying the advert "missed the mark".
"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 have removed the post and have not published any other content‚" the statement said.
Despite the apology, Twitter does not seem as if its ready to forgive just yet.
Users have lambasted the company and called on South Africans to boycott all Dove SA's products.
Sunlight soap would never disrespect black people like this #Dove pic.twitter.com/IeCJRC3TqP
— Ctrl+P (@PumezaZibi) October 9, 2017
I don't even use their products but I'm ready to boycott #Dove.. @Dove This is unacceptable..... pic.twitter.com/O4ml8Q41XC
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) October 8, 2017
Fam You know i will never let you down ✌
— 🐾MommaBear 🐾 (@ChulayoM) October 8, 2017
We have been angry at #Dove
Simple lento Boycott them and use 🇿🇦 brand @PortiaM_Skin @tumisole pic.twitter.com/asKEJZZZya
#Dove ARE YOU INSANE #DoveAd pic.twitter.com/ZYWUZ2ltYx
— Alex Sweet Patrick (@IamAlexSweet) October 9, 2017
Dove has done this before. YAWN #Dove
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) October 9, 2017
When you are black and trying to take a #Dove SOAP from the shelf...
— THEE BIG Ⓜ KHAUNA🐃 (@tebza_kale) October 8, 2017
Black people will be like: pic.twitter.com/Rg7fLEyPlz
#dove know what they doing don't fall for p.r trick racism is the new market trend pic.twitter.com/ptHkY19kjv
— Shirret (@ncforlife34) October 7, 2017
#Dove shame on u. Best eg of how Racism taught in our society. Lets fight against #Rupert & other #wmcpaidmedia who r spreading racism😠😡 pic.twitter.com/XTfplBnx1O
— Garth Chait (@Garth_chait) October 9, 2017
Ive been using #Dove soap for 5 years now mxm y did they have to go and ruin everything pic.twitter.com/mIvFiEIz5S
— Marvin Mulaudzi (@Marvin198530) October 9, 2017
Black people should BOYCOTT #Dove for their RACIST ADVERTISING. They have no problem taking ur black dollars #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/DGg68FVUJw
— #KennekaJenkins BLM (@SirMaejor) October 9, 2017
Boycotting all @Unilever products because of what the #Dove ad did seems a bit too far fetched, stop the belittling us
— Mthokozisi Zibani (@MichuZibani) October 9, 2017
SHAKE IT OFF PEOPLE! pic.twitter.com/6GyN5wt8x2
They should've just used mshoza or khanyi yazi then this wouldn't have been like this But hey its whatever now the Damage is done #Dove pic.twitter.com/OPRMaEyBly
— Dante (@DaeDante) October 9, 2017
#Dove i just don't even wanna hear your apology 😕 pic.twitter.com/mdnqHmKIJR
— MnaNdinguLeeCore (@IamLeeCore) October 9, 2017
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.