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
“Missed the mark” is certainly one way of putting it. Another way of looking at it is Dove played down what was a massively hurtful ad.
Your ad didn’t miss the mark, say it with me now …it is RACIST!!@Dove
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) October 8, 2017
You can do better than "missed the mark." Flip + diminishing. Deepens your offense. You do good work. Have been for years. Do better here.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 8, 2017
Black Women spend nearly 8 BILLION dollars in the beauty industry.
That’s a big “mark” to “miss,” @Dove. This “apology” is offensive. https://t.co/73wCMl4yG4
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) October 8, 2017
Some people pointed out how this was not the first time Dove “missed the mark.”
This is so wrong. Normal to dark skin. Really. Pic by @jonalisag pic.twitter.com/JH4TjpkvwI
— Add your name (@cihpom) October 8, 2017
Okay, Dove…
One racist ad makes you suspect.
Two racist ads makes you kinda guilty. pic.twitter.com/hAwNCN84h2— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 8, 2017
This is the statement Dove gave to BuzzFeed News on Sunday:
As a part of a campaign for Dove Body Wash, a 3-second video clip was posted to the US Facebook page. 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 related content. We apologize deeply and sincerely for the offense that it has caused and do not condone any activity or imagery that insults any audience.