August 18th, 2011
03:40 PM ET
Nivea apologizes for controversial ad in EsquireCutting edge or just cutting? Skin care company Nivea has offered a mea culpa for an ad that became quite the trending sensation on Twitter Wednesday. The advert for Nivea for Men appeared in the September issue of Esquire magazine and featured a clean-cut, African-American male holding what appeared to be a mask of a black man with an Afro hair style and a beard. The copy accompanying the ad read, "Look Like You Give a Damn. Re-civilize Yourself." Once a pic of the ad was tweeted, the outcry was fast an furious from those complaining that the ad was insensitive and racist. The controversy resulted in #nivea being a trending topic on Twitter. "Adding Nivea to the list of companies that will not be getting my money," tweeted blogger Septembre Anderson, who appears to have been the user who first tweeted a pic of the ad. "Post-racial my ass..." Beiersdorf AG, the parent company of Nivea (which boasts singer Rihanna as one of its spokesmodels) released the following statement to CNN regarding the controversy: "We are deeply sorry to anyone who may take offense to this specific local advertisement. After realizing that this ad is misleading, it was immediately withdrawn." The statement went on to say that "Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of NIVEA: The brand represents diversity, tolerance, and equal opportunity. We value difference. Direct or indirect discrimination must be ruled out in all decisions by, and in all areas of our activities. This applies regardless of gender, age, race, skin color, religion, ideology, sexual orientation, or disability. Nor should cultural, ethnic, or national origin, and political or philosophical conviction be of any significance." What do you think of Nivea's ad? 8/19 Update: Some of the comments have focused on the fact that the ad may not have been as controversial if the model was white. Nivea did have just such an ad which you can see here.
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The tenor of this discussion shows how accepting white people are of black racial stereotypes. There was nothing wrong with the image on the mask except the man was wearing his hair natural and sporting a beard. If a black man wearing his hair in a natural style is depicted as uncivilized then the message being sent is black folks must conform to white perceptions of "black social acceptability" to become civilized. Well, black consumers just send Nivea a clear message- – that's a message we're rejecting –along with your products. Lovely indeed.
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It's not racist. If it were an unshaven white man with long hair no one would care would they.
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Clearly Nivea went up and beyond their cosmetic marketing focus in this ad. If you choose to look beyond the hair, how may you explain the mannequin's angry facial expression and the man's athletic stance? Coincidence? The ad conveys unrelenting false classifications of men of color, which is not the case for the other ad! Period. If I can see this as an 18 year old, how can you not?Shame of those who turn a blind eye on this advert.
It's not racist. If it were an unshaven white man with long hair no one would care would they.
If Nivea had shown a Black young man with his pants below his butt changing into a presentable and proud Black man, would that have been racist???? Where do you draw the line and see below the surface? The ad with the unkept "fro" could have been racist, if that is what you wanted to see. On the other hand, it could have been seen as similar to the "Caveman" commercials. Let's make issues of injustices in basic human rights for all people; let's make issues about schools and the quality of teachers; let's make issues over children born to parents who are abusers....there are so many social issues that need our attention....
lol, its just like mayor nutter said in philly, pull up your pants and cover them tats and get a haircut. join the modern world, u aint zulus anymore.
The problem here continues to be black self-hatred. They see insults everywhere because they hate themselves. This is not something white people can fix. Frankly I think whites and the white establishment have done all they can. Now it's up to the black community to get it's act together.
from the article:
"featured a clean-cut, African-American male holding what appeared to be a mask of a black man"
So, why is the guy an African American while the mask it a black man? Hypocrisy and hypersensitivity in America is getting out of hand.
The ad was about being clean-shaven, hair cut, looking your best. I don't see anything offensive.
Oh my god: idiots.
It's not JUST about the guy being black. It's about the fact that an afro is perceived as "unkempt" or "nappy." A black man doesn't need to have a shaved head to appear poised and professional, just as a white man can have longer hair and still be clean and attractive. (White male models often have longer hair. Black male models never do.)
Every time one of you morons complains about someone "crying racism," you look ignorant, not to mention, um, racist. I'm not saying you are racist. But you certainly look like it. "Oh, whine, whine, someone thinks something I don't think is offensive is offensive! That somehow hurts my feelings even though I have no clue what I'm talking about!" Just freaking shut up.
I haven't seen the ad, and if I did, I wouldn't read too much into it. There are far worse things to worry about. Quit caving into the commercialism, wean off of being a spectator. Do more to help yourselves, by helping others do good.
Change the color of both the guy and the mask to white. Is it racist?
If we allow being disheveled, ugly, dirty, or dressed like a gangster to be associated with being black, then we'll never end racism because we'll always dislike those things. Ironically, it now seems to be blacks more than whites trying to preserve these associations. Insert statement about preserving the race card deliberately here.
Too help those with small minds see it...think of this way if they had guy in a 3-piece suit with an American flag on the lapel and an elephant pin holding the mask of a guy with long hair, round glasses and beads with a donkey pin and the line said "civilize yourself" then you might get what was wrong with this picture.
In what region is Nivea specifically looking to promote black men to rip each other's faces off?
There's a version of this ad with a white male holding a pale-colored mask. Who cares. The ad makes its point. I'm a black woman who didn't even realize the mask what that of a black person. I just thought it was a cave man head. Why are we assigning race to a piece of plastic and assuming it is meant to be a black person? I will continue to purchase Nivea products because they are great. I can not believe this ad was actually a point of contention! Should I complain that they used white lettering instead of black lettering in the captions as well?
It is the truth, the young kids walk around looking like that dont give a damn and some grown men to. I'am an african american the truth hurts if you have friends and or family that look like that dont give a damn then yes i would be upset better yet ashame. NOW RE-CIVILIZE YOURSELF
Hard to believe that this level of ignorance still abounds. Read the work of the late Asa Hilliard III, or Ivan Van Sertima, or John Jackson. Civilization, like humanity itself, emerged first in Africa.
LOL, i came here for stupid comments and you all did not disappoint me. Thanks for the laughs idiots!
Dont ditch the spear chucker inside you. Just aim at the middle east.
We closer to 1966 then ever B4. What make companies think that I would has a blak man would by this product! Stupid ASS.....
"We're closer..." and stop using stupid-speak like B4. Learn to spell the words instead of learning how to cheat the english language.
All you folks who use words like 'pos' for supposed need to be shipped off somewhere to actually learn the art of your language. I'd call you all retards but thats an insult to the mentally challenged. You're all just lazy.
I honestly see nothing wrong with the ad, if this had been a white man it would have been perfectly acceptable. People really blow things out of proportion.
Excellent Ad! There are too many out there who think more of themselves than others. They SHOULD get re-civilized and start acting responsibly instead of "Me Me Me". Skin color has nothing to do with it.
Ummm..... If I am to buy a given product they must show beyond a doubt that it is for me. I have a hair type lucky there I have dandruff not lucky there I sunburn in a jiffy, really unlucky there. Somebody with "naturally black" hair would be foolish to use my haircare products. And I would be foolish to use same persons skin care products prior to going into full daylight for a day out and about. One size does not fit all, I wear a 3X Tee shirt to get it across my shoulders If I wore one of my friends shirts in the name of equality A: he would not want it back after I ripped out all the seams in it, but all that pale skin would surely offend somebody.... racist? no, poor taste? YES!! product that works on spesific things must be targeted, but tastefuly.
Ummm...I think the racist part of this whole thing is the phrase.... I don't understand how no one has tackled that obvious issue. Perhaps everyone is far too concerned about why it isn't racist and should try and find the ways it is- by reading.
It's sad that we care more about some damn ad, instead of most of the real racism that truly goes on & matters. We've turned into a bunch of cry babies, that won't stick together to own our own businesses, or even raise our children to do better, but we quick to give a damn about some of the most retarded stuff in the world.... Then we wonder why the world looks at black Americans like they do... Wake up!!!!
One of the many unfortunate things about this ad is what appears to be a very limited understanding of racism, and how it manifests, among those responding to it. Does there have to be a burning cross on the lawn for it to count? That the belief in the lack of an African's humanity and civilization was part of the rationalization for his/her brutal enslavement over centuries, a period now romanticized by Congresswoman and Presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann as having been better for the black family - for instance - is some indication of an evolving comfort and acceptance of entrenched bigotry. While Bachmann's statement is certainly extreme and racist, I have no doubt that it, or some facsimile, is a familiar position within certain circles all across this country. Whether the ad people on the Nivea account want to admit it or not, some of this entrenched perception of black people as the inferior primitive, who should aspire to the civilized, however that is understood, bubbled up through their creative brainstorming. And, it, apparently, made sense to all the educated, well-positioned people who saw it, accepted it and had the influence, power and money to sign-off on it. Even with no white hoods in sight, and possibly no malice intended, they exposed their ugly truth. A "truth" that is racist.
Paris Hilton has a 2 inch pony tail, she wears a weave. K. Kardashian wear weaves, Lady Gaga is a weave rocker, and I can go on and on. Yes, and some of you white women also get your hair permed! So, STFU!!!!
The ancient jews were people of color. Experts have studied the skulls from over 2000 years ago, and when they put everything together it shows that they looked more like President Obama and Halle Berry and nothing like Steven Spielberg and Babs Streisand. I guess that is why the white europeans came to Egypt and chopped the noses off of the Sphinx, the noses were too round. Also, the jews of today remember when their "ancestors of color got their freedom. It's called "PASSOVER!"
The tenor of this discussion shows how accepting white people are of black racial stereotypes. There was nothing wrong with the image on the mask except the man was wearing his hair natural and sporting a beard. If a black man wearing his hair in a natural style is depicted as uncivilized then the message being sent is black folks must conform to white perceptions of "black social acceptability" to become civilized. Well, black consumers just send Nivea a clear message- – that's a message we're rejecting –along with your products.
Seeing as they have a version of the ad with a white guy, the implication is that racism was not a factor. Apparently, the real discrimination is against people who wear long hair and beards and don't "give a damn" about looking like mannequins. The real irony here is that scruffy people may in fact care more about less superficial things, like the establishment of truly liberal civilizations, where a person's civility is not judged on the basis of how conservative their dress and hairstyle is.
Wait a minute! We really need to check ourselves if we are not a little disturbed by him throwing a DECAPITATED HEAD! What? I'm not offended by the slogan because some people like a shave and cut and some don't. Holding a head in his hand shows us how far we have fallen in our society. When I see my folks wearing a natural I love it! What ever happened to free choice? There is no doubt that the subtle message can be misused, especially if you have an afro and a potential employer now sees it as 'uncivilized' and all some people need is just the most minute excuse to devalue someone. Anyway, the ad did its job – create fervor around a product. And, another thing, the 'fro' on the head was NOT combed so I can see the shot at humor here.
The add was extremely offensive and racist. What Black Americans/African Americans were consulted prior to running the add? Throwing Rhianna's name out there is equivalant to saying, "some of my best friends are black" in my opinion. Does not justify the insensitivity.
This ad is NOT saying natural black is uncivilized. My hair looks like that "naturally" too, when I don't brush it or put some kind of product in it to keep it in place, and I'm WHITE. All it is saying is to take care of yourself. That just means trim your damn beard and long hair if you don't want to fuss with combing and the like! This goes for ALL RACES!!!
This is so pathetic. This ad is not racist in any way... in fact the negative response is racist! Are white people the only people that are allowed to be portrayed as cave men? And don't tell me about afros and African-American culture because white dudes with beards and long hair are just as much part of Caucasian culture. Long natural hair will ALWAYS be associated with being uncivilized because that's how hair looked back when people where uncivilized! Whether white or black! Please get over yourselves. I guess maybe most of you are older folks (40 and up) who grew up in a time of greater racial strife and therefore developed an increased sensitivity to such things. As for me and my generation, I hope that we will not "cry wolf" every time we see something that may or may not be possibly construed as ambiguously racist.
To all of those who tried to make sense of it,rationalize it,put a cupcake on it,reverse it,i have black friends,the dumb caveman comparison,people are touchy or say its the race card can go choke on some Nivea! Would it be okay if it was an Orthodox Jewish man? A man with a long beard maybe resembling someone or a particular religion? Even im cutting it close by maybe not being politically correct. You have to watch what you say,just ask Mr.Letterman. Sure this is America,and? Most of you cant even come around my neck of the woods talking all that jazz. YES we must move forward but lets keep it kosher,UNDERSTAND?
What y'all fail to realize is that there was most likely a black male on the crew that made this commercial. So...who is racist? The person that made this commercial...or the person that looks at this commercial and assumes that only white people make commercials?
el oh el.
It seems that a lot of people seem to overlook the big picture here. Many people of African descent have hair that, in its natural state, looks as is displayed by the mask in the ad. This type of hair, and moreover, this hairstyle, has been traditionally regarded by non-blacks as unkempt, uncivilized and unattractive. This ideology was imposed on Black Americans for hundreds of years and remains a source of disdain, especially for those Black Americans who would like to be culturally accepted for their natural beauty, and not the stereotype of "beauty" as is defined by non-Blacks.
The 'misleading' advertisement may or may not have been meant to stir up a reaction like the cyber-melée shown here, but one thing is certain; the backlash-marketing effect has garnered more attention in one day than Nivea could have purchased with a billboard in Times Square.
ONE WAY THIS MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO APPEAR NOT RACIALLY MOTIVATED IS IF THEY KEPT THE HAIRSTYLE (AFRO) AND HE HAD JUST SHAVED. ALL AROUND IT WAS A BAD AD MOVE IN SOME OTHER COUNTRIES A BEARD IS VIEWED AS A POSITIVE THING. IF THEY RESEARCHED THEY WOULD HAVE ACTED LIKE THEY GAVE A DAMN BY LOOKING AT IT FROM ALL ANGLES. MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE SOMEONE WHOM COULD RELATE ON THE ISSUE TO SAY "NO THIS WILL BE A BAD AD/PR MOVE". ONE ISSUE THAT OCCURS IN THIS COUNTRY IS ONE THAT OCCURED ON THE COMMENT SECTION..... THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT CAN NOT RELATE OR HAVE LACK TO CARE OVER OTHER ISSUES THAT MAY BE APPARENT FROM THEIR OWN.
Awwwww...Yall are mad. Ah welp. They still yanked the ad, so there.
This isn't racism – it is ignorance. No way would they intentionally make a racist ad hoping to attract the racist market. Some people are just stupid enough to not see the insult here, namely Esquire and Nivea and all of the others who rely on overgrooming to attract women.
The bottom line is the ad, just like art, is open to interpretation. People are going to infer what they want depending on their past history. If you are the kind of person who was asked not to braid your hair or wear an afro to work or was discriminated against because of your hair, then you would totally see how this ad could be offensive. The problem is the guy in the ad has an afro, he does not necessarily look unkept unless having an afro is seen as looking unkept - ok perhaps he could have groomed the afro a little better.
I do not think that Nivea meant to offend anyone but whoever did this ad without realizing that there would be many issues tied to it needs some sensitivity training. Nivea has retracted it with an apology so case closed and lesson learned. - don't publish anything that can be misconstrued as racism.
The bottom line is the ad, just like art, is open to interpretation. People are going to infer what they want depending on their past history. If you are the kind of person who was asked not to braid your hair or wear an afro to work or was discriminated against because of your hair, then you would totally see how this ad could be offensive. The problem is the guy in the ad has an afro, he does not necessarily look unkept unless having an afro is seen as looking unkept - ok perhaps he could have groomed the afro a little better.
I do not think that Nivea meant to offend anyone but whoever did this ad without realizing that there would be many issues tied to it needs some sensitivity training. Nivea has retracted it with an apology so case closed and lesson learned. - don't publish anything that can be misconstrued as racist.
Oddly enough Nivea probably originally only did an advert for whites and then thought... "wait we don't want to be racist so let's do an advert for blacks"-well look what diversity gets you-a slap in the face. Any of my fellow members of the darker nation who thinks this advert is racist should grow up! They are pitching a style and a brand!
There are more sides than one, to this story. If you are not black and have never been black, then you wouldn't understand when a black person gets offended for even the smallest remarks. If you are white, then it could clearly appear that blacks are getting bent out of shape for nothing. The advertiser probalby had no idea the ad would have come across that way. It is a black actor they are using. If they hadn't used a black actor then the blacks would complain about that too. The company has apologized and pulled the ad. What else do you want? I think people just really need things to argue about. Take a chilll pill people!
What's racist about skull bowling?
I am sorry that this is still going on. Is there anything that WE Americans can do without the racist card being played. Look around the racist card and see what the real message is. Lets get off the subject and see that this happen to be a great ad about a man wanting to look clean shaved and become civilized. I can guarantee the same subject would have came up if this were a Latin-American, or Mexican-American, or even Chinese-American. The list can go on and on and on. Serious though I would bet that if the picture showed a white guy that was clean cut and looked good with a mask there would be no controversy. The mask would either be a guy that had a mullet or long hair that had not been treated right. If this was it still would have not been racist, it's a message people. Clean up and look good, that's all.
Funny... after skimming some of the other comments, I think I really might be on another planet.
While I have not seen a decent quality picture of the ad which "features a clean-shaven black man getting ready to toss away his scraggly unshaven head" (Ken Wheaton, AdAgeBlogs, "Nivea Pulls Ad, Apologizes After Racism Accusations")- my first impression in seeing the image posted this article from CNN (CNN, "Nivea apologizes for controversial ad in Esquire") is, well... let me be blunt: I thought the image above showed a guy throwing away a SEVERED HEAD! Add that the caption is "Re-Civilize Yourself" and it kinda reinforces the message as I understood it.
Now, in looking at Mr. Wheaton's posting which also includes a picture of an additional ad featuring a "clean-shaven white guy getting ready to toss away his scraggly unshaven head" – in that ad, the "head" indeed looks like a mask- although they could have perhaps done a better job in making it look that way, the drawing of the eyes and mouth as clear openings helps. But then the tag line for that ad – "Sin City isn't an excuse to look like hell" – again calls the head/mask into question. I don't see anything in the add that shows where this gentleman is standing- is it Las Vegas as one could infer from the "Sin City" reference? Fortunately, Nivea answers my question in a way when they say above in their apology "local advertisement." Surely, someone seeing the "Sin City" version in 'zine specific to Las Vegas (or any other locale, for that matter) would understand that reference. But in the other ad...???
Getting back to the first ad with the tagline "Re-Civilize Yourself" – don't ask me why, but my most immediate thought when seeing that ad was that the featured gentleman was indeed conducting a spin-move in order to seriously launch a severed head off an overpass or the fence/barrier behind him. Nothing to do with ethnicity at all. I also thought of current activities in Syria, Libya and elsewhere and thought "Right on... riots. Re-Civilize Yourself" and then again..."um, wait a minute... something doesn't add up!"
I would enjoy a chance to talk with the artist/designer or team that created these ads to uncover their intent- or the firm to see if any tests where done with the ads; and if so, did any of the test respondents have thoughts similar to my own? If so, and I'd be hard pressed to believe that all respondents toed the same "this ad is benign" line- some very simple modifications could have made all the difference. Make the "heads" either look more like heads (then again, maybe not!) or make them look more like Halloween masks. Or something along those lines so as to reduce any ambiguity which may produce a possible negative.
Now, if an ad creates a lack of clarity and can use that to their benefit- right on! But when an ad creates a message that has an inherent lack of clarity- akin to some of the ideas I and others have mentioned- that is when someone, somewhere should press pause in an intelligent manner. And I would hope that would include the organization ultimately responsible for the ad. In that respect at least, Beiersdorf AG (and Nivea) did the right thing with their apology as quoted in the CNN article.
TL;DR
Afros are a part of Black Culture, Black History it's the natural look for Black people around the world..
What frustrates me about this debate is the attack on "scruffy" implied in the ad. Everyone of you posters have seen "scruffy" look hot depending on how accessorized and thats actually the look I like the best. I mean save an inch or two on the afro and the goatee being shaggy. If I didnt suffer from male pattern baldness that severed head is exactly how I would like to look in my suits, casual wear, sports wear, etc. But I have to settle for completely bald and goatee which I pull off nicely thanks. Where I think Nivea makes the mistake is suggesting that "scruffy/natural" needs to be revamped in order to conform so for me with my thoughts on this I would be a little frustrated regardless of the race depicted if they were suggesting natural doesn't cut it because it can. I think there are other people that may feel the same way and cried out on this opportunity not really sure if they were offended, insulted or what. You see there was an attack here, for me it wasnt necessarily racist or bigoted but it was an attack maybe on some dated social norms that have evolved from the perspective that the ad was displayed in. So in complete comfortable blackness I say the stereotypical "WHAT!!" in a threatening tone as shove away from my desk to take on more pressing issues at hand.
Most of you seem to miss the point. What you call "scrufffy" and "unkept" is a picture of a black person whose hair, both facial and on their head, is in its natural state. What the ad implies is that that state is "uncivilized". What if it had been a before and after picture of a Hasidic Jew? The after picture being with him shaved and minus his yarmulke. Would that be acceptable?
Whenever something like this comes up there always seem to be alot of white people commenting about blacks being whiners and blacks throwing out the racist card etc etc. As a white person I must say in my daily life I have never once heard or over heard a black person calling anything racist. Where is it that all these white people hear blacks complaining – is it on tv – are you seeking out examples ? also given you guys seems so passionate then you then get into conversations with blacks when you hear them whining and tell them how you feel ?
This may be the most racist recent ad in years. People actually sat in a board room and decided this was ok. This is why diversity in corporate America is so important. Look like you give a damn is the catch phrase ? if it wasnt sad it would be hilarious.
All is see is an umkempt man with a makeover. Now he is datable. Maybe I am not black enough????
what if it was a white man pulling off a neanderthal mask? would that be ok? how about a chinese man pulling off a mask with a long dirty fumanchu and long scraggly hair? still to racist? maybe they should have put all three in there holding hands to prove to everyone they aren't playing favorites? if you have a problem with this ad, do yourself and everyone else a favor: go out and find some actual racism to fight against. it's not hard to find.
FACT: BW-HATER (BLACK PEOPLE & WHITE PEOPLE CO-EQUAL WHO HATE EACH OTHER)
BW-HATER WANT ALL BLACK PEOPLE TO FORGET SLAVERY THAT HAPPEN IN THIS
GREAT COUNTRY U.S.A. , BUT CAN A JEW FORGET WHAT HAPPEN TO THEM IN
GERMANY? ALL THE GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHERS AND GRANDFATHERS
MURDERED, SLAVERY. HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY ELDERLY BLACK
WOMEN WILL NOT WEAR RED? THIS IS THE COLOR OF THE DRESSES THEY
WOULD PUT ON THE BLACK BABIES STOLEN FROM THEIR MOTHERS AND
THE SMALL BABIES WERE SOLD IN AMERICA AND DID YOU KNOW SOME
WHITES WOULD GIVE THE BLACK BABIES TO THEIR DAUGHTERS AS
GIFTS OR TOYS, THEY CALL THEM BLACK BABY DOLLS.
HUNDREDS DIES IN THE HANDS OF THESE WHITE KIDS, BROKEN LEGS
SOME FED THE BABY TO DEATH HUNDREDS SUFFERED,,,THESE ARE
TRUE EVENTS THAT HAPPEN ON THE SOIL OF AMERICA.
I MUST TELL THE TRUTH ...NO MORE LIES OK......
BW-HATERS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE RUINING THIS COUNTRY.
I WILL CALL THEM OUT...
First they dissed the Jews/Israelis (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/why-didnt-cosmetic-giant-nivea-list-israel-on-its-website/), now this.
Whoever's in charge of marketing there should be canned.
This ad is highly offensive and arguably racist. Based on those merits it should not have seen the light of day. Although I can see why some dont understand what the big deal is, but I think of the message it sends to people that look like the"uncivilized" person in the ad. It is a cultural difference that most don't get, but the company should have considered that. I would love to know what location they chose to run the ad...
Okay you all have convinced me. I am not shopping for Geico Insurance.
The only problem I had with the ad is that he ad had an afro and then he's clean cut. So my interpretation is that they're saying having an afro makes you uncivilzed. Not cool. Why could it not have been the head of a black guy with some hair but not exactly an afro? And yes they could have in fact used a white guy but it will simply be a white guy with long hair and then short hair. Afros or natural hair have always been viewed in a negative light "picky head", "nappy" so I understand where some of the uproar is coming from.
The ad IS racist, but I'm not one to throw a big stink over it. It's not so much the blackface mask that is troubling but rather the "re-civilize" yourself logo, which implies that African Americans are not civil human beings. I'm glad Nivea did the ethical thing and pulled it.
I have mixed feeling on this one. On one hand, i do understand why some people are upset. On the other hand, Nivea can't win for losing. As people of color we are all tired of not being in the commercials of the products we buy regularly. IT also upsets me when they pick black people who are obviously mixed as their ethinic (you know.. the green eyed girl in the pepermint patty commercial or the blond black kids in the Hillfinger pics). But Nivea decided to choose a black person for this job, probably because they started working with Rihanna, and this is the backlash they get. Yes, they could have choosen a blond with unkempt hair. BUT THEY ALWAYS DO THAT. I can honestly say i do NOT think that Nivea is implying that afros are nasty and dirty and should not be worn. Anyone with common sense knows that is untrue. They simply choose a black actor instead of a white one and gave him the appropriate hair style for his race. They were trying to branch out with their models and it is now being thrown in their face.
We can't dictate which advertisements blacks are used in. Why is that, you ask?? because it would be simpler not to use us at all if that is the case. If we want to me part of the mainstream media in a POSITIVE way, then we have to accept them using people of color in all types of advertisements. If we think it isn't "realistic" then no one else will.
I think the issue here is more with the combination of the imagery and the wording. The idea that a black man with an afro and beard being less "civilized" than a J.Crew v-neck sweater wearing black man is problematic. Also the visual of him holding a sort of decapitated head is just bizarre and violent. It's the context here. Say if it was a picture of the same man going from being dressed in a plaid shirt camping in the wilderness, and he was unshaven and or scraggly looking and then got cleaned up later with this Nivea product it might be less inflammatory.
i agree 100%
They know what they are doing, they just don't care and they hope and assume that you don't either.
I think a better choice of wording would've been wise.
This is going to tick people off, I'm certain. I don't think the ad is racially negative. As has been said, it's "fugly" vs. good looking. I feel that the complaints have a prejudiced tinge to them. Since it's a black guy in the ad, this must be a negative depiction of black people? Come on. If it was a white person, the ad would've been ammunition for people against them for not using enough black people in their advertising campaign!
The fact they demonstrated the 'non-civilized' of a black man with features unique to the black race is what makes it racist. This isn't just something taken out of proportion, it's insensitive and blatant racism. Unless you have been in a society where you are belittled because of something you have no power over like your hair, then you don't understand. The fact that some of you are trying to rationalize this, is appalling and shameful. If you are not a minority, you will never truly understand nor experience racism. Ignorance not only contributes to the problem, it is the problem.
First of all, I agree with most of the other commenters here when they say that this ad is not actually racist. It's just a black guy who used to be unkempt who used Nivea and magically became clean-cut looking. I'm not sure why having long hair is more "natural" than having short hair, but to each his own I suppose. Maybe Nivea should make the same ad for a white guy and a hispanic guy too.
Second, I'm sick of hearing people whining about how they don't think having long hair and a grubby beard is "uncivilized". You're not gonna get a job looking like a mess! I'm sorry if this is upsetting to you, but it looks unclean and nobody wants to hire someone like that. The guy in the ad clearly wants to get a job or get girls or whatever and he cleaned up! Also, like a commenter before me said, there is nothing uncivilized about an afro either, but having a messy grubby afro is a different story. There are ways to have an afro and beard that look polished. Along the same lines, I like my hear long, but if I grew my hair down to my butt and never trimmed the ends, I'd look like a mess.
I think we live in a society that has become overly sensitive. It seems that political correctness has had more of a negative impact then a poative one. All the ad was trying to say was to look presentable rather then look homely and dishevelled.
When I see that decapitated head of Quest Love being thrown anywhere so violently with that caption- I say, "NO!!!!!!!!!" Of course, this does not parallel to how it would look if they did this picture with a clean cut White man and the head of Jerry Garcia. Hey! That's pretty insulting!!!! What did Jerry do to deserve that? Consider White people if it was the face of some rockstar or long haired hero most White people respect? Yes, we would all be moved- even if we were Black. Why would you justify decapitation of any man just for his looks? The head may not be Quest Love but it just shows a fun artsy look of an African American man- and for sure, that artist might have more heart for making the world a better place than all the slaves of culture in oxford white shirts. Let's hope anyway.
I think the ad was created by a men who find the violence part of this funny. I would not even be surprised if a Black man was consulted about this and in his mind thought it was harmless since it wasn't throwing away color- it was showing disdain for a very laid back look. As a woman, I do not even go for disheveled looking men but there is nothing in my heart that would want to see them violently destroyed. I just ignore them. This ad basically says "Be Anglicized and Conform Like you care about something." Its just downright cruel and wrong. I think its violent, racists and classist. Why not show this Black guy a bit unshaven and unevenly patted short fro in pajamas at work turn into someone who shaves, cleanly cut hair and is running the company? I'm sorry Nivea trusted such an idiot team of creative directors for their men's product campaign.
That's BS! There's no way that ad should've made print. Companies always always try to retract statements and offenses made after the damage has been done. The message is clear and inappropriate. African American is a very diverse culture. To once hate our culture and now incenuate that we as a culture should re civilize ourselves is modern day discrimination. In fact the time we take to correct American society is time that could be spent on progress and positivity for our race and culture. God Bless Us.
If it had been a white guy no one would have even noticed.............get over yourselves people!
I find this to be a very racist ad. For all y'all screaming about political correctness & whining, you're just looking at this ad from your own perspective; instead of trying to understand why it is offensive. To me the ad, wouldn't be bad if the words uncivilized weren't there. THAT'S the linchpin to me. We all know what unkempt hair looks like from a White or Black perspective, that's a given. But given the history of African American people in this country having to assimilate to European standards of what "good hair" is and isn't; this touches on that racist element of society. For years and to this day, there are Black and White people, who will tell you that natural Black hair is not desirable because it's not straight. That's not a standard that Black people created, it's one that was imposed upon us. One that's unseen from the perspective of most White people because, quite obviously, they've never had to consider it. That's the problem with these talks folks on one side get all upset because they refuse or simply can't see things like this from the perspective of another. If you've never been called out in school by a White kid (I have) for having "nappy, bad hair", then why would you?! Remember the movie, Birth of a Nation?! Black people were depicted as uncivilized animals; an idea that is still prevalent today in a lot of less overt ways than they were in the past. I can't see them attaching the "uncivilized" label to a White model in the ad, but even if they did, no one would bat an eye. Why?! Because whether you admit or not, to be White in our country holds a certain amount of influence and power and to be Black does not. Just look at the media. How often does Nancy Grace cover the disappearance/death of Black kids compared to White? Children killing children like crazy in Chicago for the past few years, last summer 41 kids shot or killed in 50 hours in one weekend. When you see things like this happen with no press or public outrage, it's society's way of telling you your life, thoughts, dreams, desires, hopes, etc. don't matter. You're invisible. This ad just reinforces that. Thanks in advance for all of those with an open that took the time to read this; hope it helps.
I see your point. There are certain phrases that have been used to dehumanize us in the past. If they had changed the wording, this may not have even come up
Its racists Im tired of people who've never experienced it alway having a comment about getting over something that clearly still persists and exists. a black man with an afro cares about his appearance just like the black man with a fade Cornell West still wears a fro and beard and he's more intelligent than any of you commenting. its part of our culture how we wear our hair. They didn't use a white man in the ad because no matter how mangy he looks it will never scream unacceptable like the image of a black man. What the heck does lotion have to do with being civilized?
If it was a white guy nobody would have even paid attention. Herman Cain said, "America needs to learn to take a joke." Chill, it's not a big deal.
So which part of THIS ad is racist? The well-dressed black guy or the message? Just confused..... I'll assume the not-so-well dressed black guy who thinks it is racist is blinded by what "could be".....
Racism is part of the human, primordial survival kit. For a tribe to thrive they had to guard against those with different appearances. It will always be with us. How we deal with it is a measure of our civility. Some will see beyond the surface; others will be offended by the pettiest of things.
Ignorance. And of course that ad has no place on a magazine page. N people don't look for something to complain about, it's a person's natural reaction to the ad, situation, or environment. What was the reason behind the ad or the marketing strategy? I was raised in the 60's and I my response is pure. It's wrong.
I don't get it. How does cutting your hair and putting on a sweater vest relate to skin care?
I understand the point of the ad, but it is implying that an afro and beard is uncivilized which is simply not true. I can understand how one would be offended.
With that being said, I am a black woman and I don't find it racist (it is not putting another race or skin color above black people)
its racist, but at the same time if it was white man holding that mask , no one would have talked about it, .
Why do African Americans always play the race card? Get over it people
Another tempest in a teapot! There are more important things to get outraged about.
Oh gawd, Mr. Septembre... get a life. Racial? That could have been a caucasian or Latin man. The add says, "Look like you give a damn" and nothing else. You are insecure of your race, period.
Get over it people. Why go African Americans always play the race card? Seriously, get over yourselves!!
To all the people of color....I don't understand why you would complain this is racist???? Do you then agree that when 300 African American teenagers a few weeks ago at the Wisconsin State fair attacked and beat up all white people when leaving the fairgrounds is racist????? just wondering. I bet Martin Luther King Jr. is crying in heaven with all this unnecessary nonsense
Very well said. Thanks
Can't we just look and say that, at the very essence, this model is exemplifying MEN, regardless of his specific attributes? So what if he has an afro or tribal face paint? Can't we as men look past his skin color or hair or ethnic background and just say "Yes, I identify with this ad on the basis that he, like me, is a man.?" Or do we always have to put people in categories and automatically jump to the race card?
Wait a second ~ Who printed the ad? Oh, right ~ Esquire. They obviously didn't have a problem with the ad...
The thing about this that bothers me most are all the racist comments that were left on the thread. Go back through the timeline and you will see PLENTY of blatantly racist comments from posters. No one has bothered to call that out. But it obviously shows that MANY people in this country really ARE still racist. Therefore don't downplay the concerns of black people who are offended. Sometimes we can't tell who is being low-key racist and who's not...because there are still PLENTY of people out there who CLEARLY are.
most of the commenters here are already racist, it's just a ad no harm done, & blacks can make fun of blacks but it's racist if any1 else does it,everyone should show respect to everyone, words from late MJ, heal the world, make it a better place
This is a poorly planned concept that has a mix or print and a visual image that combine to incite thoughts of racism. This is why it's so important to understand cultures, races or the history of races to avoid creating and printing ideas before thinking about them. While I cant say this is overt, this is an unfortunate advertisement. As a Black man, I would have to say that the whoever created the ad needs to heed their own words and "re-civilize."
That ad was clever but it doesn't work with an African American male. I'm surprised that ad was approved. If it was a white male portrayed clean cut and holding a mask of scruffy beard and long hair it would have worked. I wonder if there were African Americans working on that campaign.
Some people look for racism in anything and everything. These same people often see things and label them "Racist" because if you're looking hard enough, you will believe it is 'racist' no matter what. I feel sorry for people like that because they must be very insecure and stressed at all times. Imagine going through life thinking every little nuance is some how racist or meant to be cruel and offensive. The mere thought of believing/feeling that way makes me feel stressed.
Ok...so the lotion makers are beheaded for making the ad in the first place...you do know that the magazine has to approve the ad before its placed there in the first place, right? Were is the bashing of the magazine?
I suggest re-running the ad but include a white guy alongside also holding a scruffy head- for the more sensitive people looking for something to complain about of course.
If the shoe fits, wear it. (I apologize to the foot-fetish fans who may be offended by this.)
I think they should keep the ad in circulation and people should stop being so sensitive. If it struck a chord maybe there's some truth to it...
Have any of you taken a basic grammar course before?
I'm sure a worldwide company like Nivea would never have run the ad if anybody from concept to print had seen it the way it is being portrayed. To see racism you must first be a racist on some level, such as those who see it that way. If it had been a picture of me running with a Charles Manson mask I would have taken the ad exactly as it was intended; clean up my act and show a little dignity.
First of all, wearing an afro is not looking like "crap" as some people have said. It is just growing out one's hair that is of African decent. Second, the people who keep comparing the look to some white dirty man, completely show the euro-centric bias that people have in this country. Who said having an afro and a beard means you don't care about your appearance. In this country, people want everyone to conform to a "white" standard of appearance. News flash, the preference of a "white" standard of proper personal appearance, is indeed prejudice.
Hate to break it to you, but in the working world, long hair on men rarely flies. An African American guy wearing his hair in an afro looks just as "crappy" as a Caucasian guy wearing his hair in a long nasty ponytail down his back.
I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people cryin’ ’don’t blame me’
They point their crooked little fingers ar everybody else
Spend all their time feelin’ sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma’s too thin; your daddy’s too fat
Get over it
Get over it
All this whinin’ and cryin’ and pitchin’ a fit
Get over it, get over it
I'm glad someone tries to teach (the color of the skin only a coincidence, I think) people to take care of their looks. I'm so sick and tired to be watching all these young people walking the streets dressing like clowns and wearing their hair unkempt and of different colors. I often think that we are living a decadence period. Good for Nivea who chose to teach good behavior and not aggression and bed manners like other companies often do. About time!
Just because you wear an afro and a beard does NOT make you UNCIVILIZED!
Hmmm,Kelly,have u ever seen a caucasion with curly hair!? Omg,I must be a freak of nature,totally uncivilized. Woohoo!
so does this mean you have to put a Caucasian model everytime to be cleared from being called racist? theres nothing wrong with the adv. its the people who think its racists is the problem...so grow up!
Ok...I've looked at the ad several times, and as a black man, I just don' t get the racism or the insensitivity... What am I missing?
= – O
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This ad is NOT racist but it is offensive. I'm black and I used to wear my hair in a natural afro, so base on this ad, I'm uncivilized. And for everyone that is throwing the cave man example...please Google “cave man” and tells me again this is the same. This ad is not humorous or even tries to be humorous. Second this add doesn't show an uncivilized example, because if any of you can look at a African American male that has an afro and beard as being uncivilized, then something is WRONG with the way you think (stereotype or otherwise). If they had use a "cave man" theme for this ad, the black community wouldn't have been so offended. I don't see how the fact that this man having an afro and beard make him less civilizes? Maybe we as natural hair wearer we are more sensitive to this type of ad? The marketing direction of this was completely WRONG. I'm for one am tired of the race card being thrown unnecessary and this AD is not RACIST but this ad is offensive and WAS NOT thoroughly thought out.
I know a lot of people commented saying the post is not racist and there would be no problem if the black man was replaced with a white man and they're right, However, black people in this country and people of color around the world have always been characterized as uncivilized. The idea that a culture was uncivilized has been used by Europeans to conquer and "civilize" other peoples. In the case of Native Americans for example, almost wiping them out altogether. This same ideology was also used to defend slavery. Some believed that black slaves were better off in slavery than in their "uncivilized" groups.
This Nivea ad is extremely offensive and alludes right back to the history of whites dominating over people of color in the name of civilizing them. People forget the history that this country has seen and it is important not to forget these cultural sensitivities, even though we claim to be in a "post-racial" America.
Umm... I thought Nivea was a lotion. What does it have to do with hair? lol. They deseve to get blasted for this in some way, shape, or form, cause it's stupid. I don't even get it.
Just because someone complained doesn't mean all black people would pull the race card. I can guarantee that 99% of black people would not find this ad racist. I don't see anything racist about this ad. I was more offended by the outlash that came from the one idiot who pulled the race card.
boy...I'm so tired of everything being racist...if this had been an unkempt hillbilly(which by the way I am..not unkempt though hah) holding a pig and looking like a dirty pig...people would have laughed. nowdays everyone is so offended by something...no wonder we can't get past racism...It's not just afro americans that get the spoofs people...it's everyone and it's time to learn laugh at ourselves and enjoy life's little quips.
I think exactly the same ad could have been done with the white man. Black Americans cry out to be portrayed in the media, but cry foul when used in humor. You can't both want to be portrayed equally in the media and only want to be portrayed positively. It was careless of Nivea, but I believe them when they say it was unintentional.
People still using the race card????........Please move on and get over yourself....There isn't anything wrong with this ad....lol geeez
“OVERRACTING”, WOW, if the idiots that said we were overreacting had it their way we would be still painting our faces black and performing for them at their neighborhood carnivals. As a Marketing Manager, I am a little surprise to see that the company leadership at Nivea did not stop this before it went further. Now Nivea is going to have to spend a fortune to clean up their brand image by hiring a PR firm to make amends with the customer’s they offended in which they started already. Obviously, they were not concerned about their brand image or their bottom line when they let this slip through the crack. @ Nivea: If my wife ever brings another blue bottle in my house again, I will take it back and demand a full refund. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that held its ground." – Rosa Parks. Rhetorically speaking, could I be over reacting? I do not think so...
If it was a white guy would it still be racist and controversial? I don't think so. Grow up people.
When I see this ad I think make over. Not skin color. We wouldn't even be having this discussion if it was a white person. All this hyper sensitive about everything is getting old. See past the color and see the ad for what it is a make over!
I have traveled the country myself. I must say that the worst neighborhoods are black neighborhoods. Mexican neighborhoods are dirty but Mexicans are a lot more friendly. I do not think such a big deal should have been made about the ad. In my opinion some people just cannot let go of the past and need something to be angry about. Whites have made up for any mistakes they made in the past and Nivea apologized for the ad. What more do they want?
Really people ? Can you boo-hoo any more ? Funny how it's typically only folks OTHER than white that think everything is racist. Oh, god forbid you can't see something for what it is: a freaking ad. Perhaps I should be even more agitated that in this article you say that I see an "African-American". Really ? How do you know he's from Africa ? He could just be a black dude from NYC ? He could be a dark-skinned person from Haiti. He could be from Jamaica. Just because a person is dark in color does not automatically make them from Africa. And, once again, in order to be "African-American" you would have to have been born in Africa, then became a US citizen. Just because my great-grandparents are from Europe, does not make me European-American. I'm being nice here, hit Twitter and let me tell you how I really feel kade6767
I seriously doubt the ad was meant to be offensive, but I can see why some people would be offended by it.
Racist? Really? I see nothing about that ad that is racist.Its simply a guy in an advertisement, for someone to even come up with the idea that the ad is racist, is racist in itself, to connect a black person with being uncivilized? That right there is wrong. I just don't see the issue, I am blind to different skin colours I guess coz I don't see how the ad would be made better and "non-racist" if a white guy were in it.Whats the difference? Someone was bored and just decided to start s*** simple as that. I actually like the ad, it speaks the truth, lots of guys need to improve themselves, some of them are walking around looking like the afro guy, whether there black, white, yellow,orange,pink, purple, or whatever....it really doesn't matter, in the end we all bleed blood, we all breathe air and were going to let a colour upset us? pathetic. You choose to think this ad is racist.....you must live a very unhappy and exhausting life to get worked up about such a thing.
Lisa (the OP) you really should look at proof reading your material before publishing. Too bad about Nivea's insensitivity in the issue.
I don't think the scruffiness justaposed to the clean cut black person is the real the issue here. It's more the image under the heading of "re-civilize yourself." Which, I think for a lot of people, can be taken to indicate that black people are uncivilized, un-groomed people comparable to animals. History makes this ad racist, if it did depict a white person in the same ad, the racism wouldn't be as abhorent. This is a double standard in our society yes, but double standards exists as a result of our shared history and culture, they can be unavoidable. I hate the over use of racism and when political correctness gone made as much as next person but when I see an ad like this my first thought is that Nivea is telling me black people are not civilized and their product can "fix" them. That's the racism here.
I'm sure they had their apology all scripted out long before the ad even ran.
Images are powerful!
I happened to be waiting for my Mother at a Bar at a conference. The news spoke about 3 perpetrators who were more than likely going to get the Death Penalty for murdering a poor, defenseless girl who was handicapp. There are 3 perpetrators, 2 white and one black. They only showed the black one-interesting-and the white woman next to me says, "OH yeah, he looks guilty." This happens everyday in the media. I called the stations, not one response or return call.
Everyday this happens-Ask yourself, what do you really see and with what eyes are you seeing it.
Images are powerful! Do you ever wonder if the influence of media sneaks under your skin, into your mind and out of your mouth? Suddenly you find yourself believing all kinds of things about the OTHER without any real first hand experiences to draw upon.
It's amazing what you can learn when you drive across a country. I've driven back n forth America several times, and I learned many things, for example, once you leave the outskirts of a city and its suburbs, it's amazing how many have shabby, downtrodden neighborhoods are filled with white people. Surprised.
Images are powerful!
While many of you seem quite intelligent in your presumed objectivity, there is one thing that blares loudly in your sentiments, a lack of understanding of Black history, advertising and psychology: http://black-history.blackvoices.com/2011/01/19/vintage-racist-ads-how-vintage-racist-advertisements-feed-black/ Just one way to educate yourself.
So, while you can point to an add that may shows White people as stupid Neanderthals, this doesn't come close. Imagine, if you will growing up with this image, everywhere and over decades and all the people around draw upon this image to prejudge you and presume based on that image that you are inherently unintelligent.
IImages are powerful!
So, maybe you should try it for yourself:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n8_v88/ai_16035641/
But then, what could I possibly know, I'm just a half black/half german artist who works in media.
Good day! Madame D
In this day and age, with all of the negativity already in the world, I expect more of this brand and product. It took a team of people to come up with and approve this entire campaign. It's time for some sensitivity training – Nivea Products are above this. Jo Lena Johnson
The picture alone is not so bad - but the caption to "re-civilze yourself" means that if you have the non-clean cut look of an afro and bread then you are uncivilized. RACIST!!!!!!
The reason there wouldn't be an outcry about this if the gentleman depicted was of European descent is because there is not a pervasive history of White Americans (with the exception of Irish and Jewish depictions) being singularly derided and mocked in mass media based on their physical characteristics.
That said, I don't think Nivea intentionally characterized Blacks with "unkempt" head and facial hair as uncivilized, but the backlash speaks to the inability of companies to have broad awareness of potential issues with depictions of people of varying ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.
For example, a marketing company may choose to depict an Asian in robe or wrap, but the color and way it's wrapped may be improper according to cultural traditions. Thus, they may unintentionally misrepresent a culture in its ad and – due to my lack of knowledge regarding that culture's traditions – it's not for me to say that someone is wrong for taking issue in the way someone of his or her culture was presented.
Apparently their ad people are idiots. I don't think Nivea, the company intends to be racist.
For those saying this isn't racist, you need to step back a bit. When someone claims offense, that means they are offended. You cannot simply say that they should not be offended. That will not resolve anything. You have to ask WHY is this offensive & try to understand it.
You may disagree, but it is simply a matter of respect to hear them out & take their concerns under consideration. Whether you think they should be offended or not does not change the fact that they are offended. Now the real question is, do you CARE if you offend someone?
There are several reasons I think this ad is potentiall offensive. The somewhat afro style has a historical political significance of promoting pride in African heritage. To use an afro style as a negative can very easily & understandable trigger a response of feeling offended for racist reasons. That should be simple enough to understand.
Secondly, I didn;t see the head as a mask, but as a severed head being tossed away. That is a very violently graphic image. I don't think I should have to elaborate further as to why that might be objectionable.
I personally I am not offended, but I see how easily this can be made into a racial issue. I think this was extremely unwise of them to make this ad & it was right of them to apologize.
This is stupid, the ad is exactly the same as a clean cut white guy holding a mountain man mask (big beard, shaggy hair...etc). There wouldn't be any outrage over that kind of ad.
All the people on here who believe this to be racist have not said anything but. Why can't they back up what they say? They give no reasoning for why they feel the way they do. Lame.
For those of you who don't understand why this ad would be perceived as racist to African-Americans such as myself...pay close attention. We are all aware that Africans were brought to this country as slaves. During this period of American history and beyond, Africans brought to and born in the Americas were systematically abused physically, psychologically and emotionally. As part of the psychological abuse, Africans were told that they are intellectually inferior to whites and that part of the white man's burden is to help to civilize these Africans, with slavery being one such method to do so. After slavery was over in America, African Americans continued to portrayed at times as wild, unkempt, uncivilized and inferior. The Nivea ad doesn't just show a clean shaven man holding up a mask with an Afro and beard on it, but then it uses the verbiage Re-civilize yourself. That term is inflammatory when you take into account the history of African treatment in America. I am happy that they have apologized and only hope that issues like this don't continue to polarize whites and blacks in this country, but create a constructive dialogue that enables us to co-exist peacefully in this country.
I can understand what they were trying to go for but I just can't understand how this became the ad they went with. I'm sure many hands were on it before it was official but not one person felt it inappropriate enough to say, no!? Cavemen were uncivilized. Lost tribes along The Amazon River are uncivilized. Pirates, and probably a dozen other examples if I thought about it enough. There was nothing wrong with using an African-American. All they needed to do was make him look like a mess as many of us do from time to time. Being a white man, I'd relate to that more than what they did.
I dont think the ad is racist. I dont think they were trying to insult anyone. I do believe its insensitive to some ppl. If its not offensive to you...than at least be sensitive to others and try to understand how they feel about it. Im sure thats how you want to be treated...its all a form of bullying..
The only thing offensive here is Nivea's lack of guts. As soon as some crybaby whines because they can't stand the truth, Nivea backs down. Nivea, if you don't have to the balls to stand behind what you say, don't put it out there in the first place.
If a white man was holding the mask, I would consider that racism. That is not the case, however. Racism needs at least two different races, when claiming discrimination on that basis, however.
What is clear is that the decision making body for this ad wasn't diversified. This ad is a problem only because of people's prejudice in general. If we had no racial issues in this country or world there would be no problem. But when we know, and some of you can claim everything is equal lol ,there are racial issues in the world. Not seeing them or not believing there is does no one any good. Yes people cry wolf about racial issues and yes the wolf has eaten too many people!! If you have friends of different races ask them and see what response you get. This is the first step to open dialogue.
At all: Humans are not civilzed by nature (goes across the entire color spectrum). We kill, we hate, we eat animals– we're definition of uncivilized. Oh and by the way, there was an ad with a white guy carrying an ungroomed head... the add did not feature the slogan "recivilize yourself"... just food for thought. Have a lovely day!
Nivea was making a point. For me, when I see a guy with tattoos on his neck or hands, I think, "he's not interested in the
corporate world". Your appearance does reveal what's going on inside you. Being "clean cut" will get you a lot further than
some unkempt looks. I think that was the company's message.
It all comes down to black society trying to blame the White man for all of their problems. We do not hold them down. Drive through a White neighborhood. You see nice houses, clean yards, great kids. Drive through a black neighborhood. You see boarded up windows, dirty children, drug dealers on every other corner trying to stop you. They say this is our fault. They could go to school and stay away from crack. They could save up to get a nice place. They could work hard and better themselves. Some do. Most do not! They depend on the WHITE man to provide for them through government programs. They depend on the WHITE man to pay for their many children's medical finances. They depend on the WHITE man for their Link (which many sale). It never occurs to them that the WHITE man made the choice to do this. When we bought them from their tribal leaders.....they were slaves. Many were hung. Then we freed them. We gave them more rights than we have. We allowed them to stay here. This alone was the best thing that has ever happened to African Americans! We have also fought for many years to provide food, education, medicine, clothing, etc. for their people in Africa. Also something we choose to do. There is still slavery in Africa! The White man is fighting against this! Instead of constantly complaining about anything they can to get more of the White man's hard earned money......they should fight for their people who they so "strongly" care about. They should be typing letters to black rappers on their computers instead of complaining about an ad......letters that may push black rappers into helping their people in Africa. The messed up thing is Africans from Africa do not have the racism towards White people that African Americans do. They appreciate all that we have done and still do for them. If the ad truly bothers you.....you should try actually fighting for your people. It can be as easy as typing a short message on the computer.......imagine that!!!!!!!
are you smoking meth?? The only people who would be that ignorant are those who get their info on african americans from rap songs and FOX news. Contrary to popular belief, not every black person in America lives in the ghetto. You don't have to be white in order to take care of your propert and to be sucessful. You sound ignorant and hateful.
I am not trying to be hateful. The truth is the truth. You say that not all blacks live this way. In my post....I also stated that! It just so happens that MOST of them DO live this way. They paint the pictures themselves. They form the "images" themselves. I am just sick of black people trying to make White people out to be the the bad guys. Many races have been slaves. I am sick of black racism towards White people. People do not mention that as not to offend any one else. Every time a black person gets angry about things that are clearly not racist......they are actually angry at White people and their hate goes unchecked. It is okay for them to hate White people! White people understand why they hate White people. We have more than made up for our mistakes. In a whole I believe it is time that they make up for theirs. They have prosecuted White people in every way they can for years! We do not ever mention that or we will be called "racists". I believe every one should be proud of who they are. I believe it is wrong that when a White person is proud to be White they are considered a racist. Every one should openly be allowed to be proud of their race. White people have many accomplishments throughout history. I am proud to be White! I will say it and I feel there is nothing wrong with that. I am not a racist because of it or because I speak the truth. Every one knows it! They just do not talk about it! As for statistics....I will be nice and not open that can! If you feel I am wrong in my earlier post....look it up! As for the ad.......if it offends people......maybe they should try living without so much hate! It only offends them because of their own hate!
White people also tend to use PROPER SENTENCES! For the record.......I do not do drugs or drink alcohol.
I am proud to be a beautiful White woman. There is nothing wrong with that. It does not make me a racist. This ad is not racist. Common sense and simple logic.....along with statistics and facts show why they are offended by the word uncivilized. It has nothing to do with this ad. I am done with this conversation. Time to Move On!
Would it have been more appropriate for them to have a mask of a basarwa instead of a guy with long hair and a beard? I mean, by most reasonable peoples definition the basarwa would be considered less civilized than the average well educated, city dwelling american male. However, something tells me that although that would be a more accurate contrast to a "civil' well groomed man, it would cause a bit more of an uproar. Get real, Nivea was obviously targetting black males with the add, do you really think that they would intentionally try and offend their target demographic?
I dont think the ad is racist. I dont think they were trying to insult anyone. I do believe its insensitive to some ppl. No matter who (group) the ad insults...if its insensitive and insulting...than its that. If you arent apart of the group the ad insults and you feel this group maybe too sensitive...its not your place to make a comment about it. Its your place as a person concerned for all groups (which Im sure you are) to make sure there is better understanding and consideration for all ppl. Find a way to bridge the differences and concerns. Don’t add to the issue. If we (and Im sure youre one of those ppl) are to move beyond racism and insensitivity to ppls issues and concerns, we need to be considerate of other ppls feelings...there is no right or wrong. Its all about understanding feelings. The insensitive concern in the ad isnt his hair...its the word 'civilized'. Most ppl will take offense to that.
You know, the NATURAL state of black hair is a curly fro. That's what black people would look like if white people had NEVER set foot in Africa or brought them over as slaves. Why is what is "natural" to a group of people deemed uncivilized. We don't look at Scottish people who still wear kilts without underwear as uncivilized- how jingoist can we be? I think the ad was in poor taste, probably done by some guy who barely even SPEAKS to black people. They're right to issue and apology and move on to something less offensive.
Come on, Folks Offended by This Ad: If it was some white guy holding his wooley-looking head, fresh from Lalapalooza there wouldn't be another word spoken about it; a simple sigh of relief would have been heard around the world. While I believe racial issues do exist, it's really not that deep. Quit being so sensitive and get over it already. You're not helping the situation.
I don't think the ad is racist. But I think a lot of people don't understand why Black people especially women ( and it is reportedly a black woman who posted the inital tweet) find this hurtful. Black women have been told that it is not acceptable or appropriate or civilized for them to wear their "natural" ie unstraightened hair in public. Its a subject of shame at in our not so distant history ridicule. If you were seeing this through the eyes of a black woman you'd find it offensive as well based on those things. I think however all opposed should have a more discerning eye as men in our society are usually expected to have short hair cuts.
With a name like Septembre, she expects to be taken seriously...she needs to go talk to her sisters velcro and lakrisha..geez..stupid people..anything to stir up controversy!
what can you expect from Nivia??? They are a french company and the french think everyone else is uncivilized! If it was anyone else, I would be offended, but Nivia is not worth the effort!
This thread shows exactly what is wrong with this country.
If people are offended, let them be. It's a free country. Just becuase you are not offended or for some reason are tired of people being offended, just shut up and go on with your life. Why get all excited and angry becuase somebody else is offended. You get all up in arms when people tell you what to do and how to feel, so why do you do the same to others? If people are legitimately offended by a stupid ad, then let them be. The hypocracy is dumbfounding.
Why is it that if a black person looks unkempt in an ad, it's racist and they get coddled for it if they complain, but if it had been a white person, it's ok? Who died and made them so special that no one can photograph them unless they look perfect?
As a black male, I think the uproar over this ad is a non-issue and is stupid and is doing more harm than good for black people. The guy with the fro and beard DOES INDEED look uncivilized and un-kept – so what's the problem? That's what the ad is about!
"the outcry was fast an furious from those complaining that the ad was insensitive and racist." The author should have written "the WHINING was fast an furious from those complaining that the ad was insensitive and racist."
I think this is more a case of what the afro symbolizes—black pride.
This ad says to ‘Re-civilize’ yourself, and one can conceive the alternate message is the afro is uncivilized. That is how this ad can be seen as racist. Personally, I just think the designer/marketer didn’t think this through, had they chosen a different “scruffy” image this would not even be making headlines. Really, someone at the top should have caught this before sign-off and thought about perception, regardless of actual intention.
I think this ad was taken out of context. From how it looks it looks like a black person came up with this ad trying to send a clear message to young black male professionals. And people of other ethnicity. Sure i let my face and hair get out of control but when I'm cleaned up looking like the guy in the ad, you get more respect and more opportunities. I feel this is just a strong message not meant to step on anyone's toes, but to inspire a debate.
This ad is actually pretty clever. Too bad people are making it out to be racist. To simple minded people the first thing that comes to there mind is racism but it's obvious that wasn't what they were getting at. Clean cut is the message regardless of the skin color. They could have used a white person to avoid all the controversy but people shouldn't have to go through all that trouble.
Good point.
I am offended by this picture of this guy throwing a human head. I think it is racist because it makes people think that black guys will cut off your head and throw it.
What was not mentioned is that there was another ad featuring a white man. HOWEVER, that ad mentioned nothing about "Re-Civilizing yourself". Why is that?? Now don't you think this ad had tinge of racism behind it?
99% of white people will feel the ad is harmless and is not racist at all, because they were all born with PhDs in black sensitivity.
So what if it came out that the person who made this ad was black? How would it be racist then?
the man has an afro and a beard. that is not uncivilized and that is a problem. the fact that some of you agree that it is uncivilized is also a problem. it shows just how far we haven't come.
No where in the ad did it say the guy with the beard and afro is uncivilized. Re civilize yourself. Meaning recreate yourself. Thats not a professional look with a big afro and beard. Or Long hair on a white man and a beard. If any black people have a problem with this ad then there is clearly a lot of growth to be made in our community. Im actually inspired being that someone was that bold to send a message of this magnitude. We tip toe about so many problems and issues with our community instead of heading them face on. This is one of them!
If I were the guy who had to review the picture, I would have said "run it." I guess I can imagine someone being offended, but...I would have anticipated that to be the fringe response. And I guess I'd be wrong.
(Honestly, before I read the article, I thought he was holding a severed head, and that's why I thought it was upsetting people.) Anyway, after I read it I thought about the fact that there are certain racial stereotypes that people in a younger generation don't even think about because they haven't been exposed to it like people in older generations. Society and the media, in general, seems to be more thoughtful and integrated so I think it all depends on who you ask. Without telling her why people were upset, I showed my 12 year old niece and she said, "He took a shower, right?What's the problem?" and then I showed my older (late 40's) brother and he said, "Yikes, that does look bad...."
this whole discourse saddens me. You'd like to think we're more enlightened and we've progressed much further as a society re: PC and racial sensitivity, then I read many of these polarizing and unempathetic comments and I realize how much further we have to go....
This is not news, its a propaganda stunt. Now this is news....http://youtu.be/pwGk2gaGHQI
Explain to me why this might not be national news if not a point of interest instead of some magazine attempted to be over the top.
again...http://youtu.be/pwGk2gaGHQI
It is not racist. If he were white and wearing a hood.... It would be a different story and a different meaning. Would it be racist if it were a clean cut white guy playing hacky sack with the disembodied head of KID ROCK? No. It simply says that the clean cut guy gives a crap about what he looks like and how others view him. Which is completely relevant when you realize that Nivea sells razors, shave gel, and skin care products. Context people. Get a Clue.
Honestly, what is worse? Racism or Murder? Nivea should apologize for condoning the sport of head tossing. Racism is legal. Murder is not. End of story. Stop murder now!
monkeys – ooga ooga
If you are always looking for racism, you are apt to believe you have found it just about everywhere.
Looking civilized promotes acting civilized. Nivea is apologist. I won't buy their product just because they apologized. Weak.
Not. racist.
racist? no. off-putting? yes.
whatever happened to sticks and stones? where are all my thick skinned human beings?
I don't know how old a lot of the commenters are but they clearly have no sense of history. The reason why people are upset with this ad is that historically Blacks and Native Americans were classified as being uncivilized (and sub-human) by Europeans (globally), to justify atrocities committed against them. The anger over this ad is just the residual of that doctrine. It's not about the physical representation of the man in the ad, but the use of the phrase "Recivilize Yourself" that is insulting to some consumers. If many of you had a proper knowledge and understanding of history, you would get that.
You are digging way too deep into it. Like i've said before, I believe a black person made this ad to send a strong message to our black young male professionals. We've come some way please not let us digress. The black guys that I saw on the train last night could really use to see the ad. Looked a hot mess! Nothing nice about it.
change the picture to flash mob of all the people in flash mob that rob a 7 eleven? dont hate the truth
That guy was probably happy to get that modelling job and had no problem with it then some genius decided it would be in his best interest to %^&* it all up.
This is a racist company. I think it all goes down to the color of their LOTION. Obiously the ad only shows the 1st step. Shaving, cutting his hair, getting nice clothes...
The next step in Nivea's diabolical plan is to turn everyone white with the daily use of their cream. White lotion = white people!!! Those evil fiends!!! We need to stop them now before their plan starts working. Stop using their product now before your skin turns white from the dyes in the creams. The whole world will be good looking, well groomed and white.
If they would have put an animated character in this pic, someone, somewhere would have still been offended!! Racism will never die. I make a choice to ignore any form of it. But speaking on it and arguing about who is more racist takes time away from other positive things. Just like when you ignore a child having a tantrum, they eventually get the point and shut up!!! We could all learn a lot from a child!!
Switch the man in the ad to a clean cut white guy holding a mask with long hair and a bread and there wouldn't be a single complaint.
Definitely the ad is not fair to insecure people
This is a perfect example of Political Correctness over-kill. Get over, already.
This is a racist company. I think it all goes down to the color of their LOTION. Obiously the ad only shows the 1st step. Shaving, cutting his hair, getting nice clothes...
The next step in Nivea's diabolical plan is to turn everyone white with the daily use of their cream. White lotion = white people!!! Those evil fiends!!! We need to stop them now before their plan starts working. Stop using their product now before your skin turns white from the dyes in the creams. The whole world will be good looking, well groomed and white.
This is exactly why Geico chose to make fun of cavemen rather than something that actually exists . . . no matter what you say or do in this country you will offend someone. Do you seriously think a commercial enterprise intended to dis a huge portion of their customer base? Have a sense of humor guys.
Over sensitive crybabies. If it had been a clean cut white guy throwing the head of a Shaggy-ess dude (think Scooby doo), another common look of the 70's, nothing would have been thought of it. Blacks need to wake-up, get the chip off their shoulders, and realize they wanted equality and they got it.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the ad. It's such a shame that people, who have nothing better to do, take the message the wrong way. In my opinion, these are typically with low self-esteem, no class, and from the outcry, not much of an intelligence quotient. What happened to the days when people could laugh at themselves, before PC was in. People now are such babies it's disgusting.
You're right. And I'm laughing at you, crybaby whiner. Whaaaaaah!
The real news here is that Nivea was too stupid and out of touch to see where this ad could go.
I wish a lame ad was all I had to worry/complain about. Guess I'll get back to trying to feed my family on less money every year, higher gas prices, worse health coverage, and an evaporated 401K.
It's only racist if you want it to be racist.
I don't get it. Men of all races grow facial hair. Men of all races can have ungroomed hair. I have never equated "clean-cut" to "white", and I wonder if it's the racism of the dissenters who do so. The anger toward this ad makes no sense.
do blacks ever stop whining and complaining?
Cole, until you've had people in your family hung from trees, why don't you STFU.
bigDee – How far back in time are we allowed to go? I'm sure, given enough time, almost all of us will have a relative or two who was hung from a tree. I'm seriously not trying to be insensitive, but I am also REALLY tired of having to walk on eggshells for fear of "offending" someone. This is especially true when the rules concerning what is or is not offensive are constantly changing and/or applied unequally (i.e. ridiculously racist and self-serving double standards concerning things like "the word which shall never be said (at least by a white person)"). I'm totally down for equal treatment. I'm not down for preferential treatment. At all.
according to the tea partiers, it's the white man who is being set upon. why are your complaints more important than ours? Oh yeah, because you don't want to hear it. That doesn't mean we don't have a right to stand up for ourselves. We all live in this country, not just you all.
Can we say Witch Trials? White people have been hung, burned and tortured. It is in the past. All races have had their share of painful history. You just have to move on. That is life.
All their marketing people should be fired, idiots. I work in marketing with people like this a lot, not that they are racist, but that somebody always has a stupid a$s idea or concept. What marketing people should do is give the designer, photographer, art director or video people the "initial concept" and let them do their thing and stay out of it. When marketing people try to be a designer, director or photographer, you get this mess you see here. Doesn't seem like they include their legal or PR group on their projects either. Careless and stupid.
the solution is obvious....RACE WAR! I'm in.
Blacks need to grow the hell up. Seriously, the core values of the black community are twisted. That should be the priority, not an ad like this, which is clearly not racist.
Incidentally, I am blond. Do I get to scream discrimination every time a black tells me a blond joke? (Happens at work all the time, what would happen if I told a joke with a black as the butt of the joke?)
Blacks love to play the victim. They jump at the chance to blame all of their inabilities on race and the white man. This is why they will never evolved past being just plain dirtbag apes. When blacks are involved in anything they show their lack of class and victim mentality. They truly are a useless race.
I will be buying Nivea for life after this.
You know that apes will be the superior race come time...dirty smelly and all. And there will come a time my friend when you wil have to beg for a banana! TRUE RACISM STILL EXIST BECAUSE OF YOU! I wish you many mixed grandchildren. LMAO!!
They should have used a white man, so it wouldn't be "racist". Since, you know, it would be ok to use us in their ads, then people wouldn't cry as much.
Also, we would like to propose a march on Geico's headquarters for their humiliating commercials depicting our citizens. That is all.
Can you not be civilized with an afro and beard???
OR
Does a black man have to conform to the european concept of having short hair and clean shaved to be civilised???
This ad is attacked but at the same time I do not see African Americans outraged at these flash riots in our country. Where are your priorities people? Wake up! Your kids are robbing 7 11's and rioting in our cities.
For the bizillianth time no such thing as racism exists the USA. We the People elected a half black guy didn't we?
Sometimes a duck is just a duck. The point: get over yourselves and stop playing the race card.
There is a difference between being natural and being dirty. There is a difference between showing up at work, unwashed and grungy and showing up at work well-kept. I don't think the ad was pointing at any particular race, saying that the natural way is uncivilized. It was geared more towards showing up grungy and disheveled. Any race can look grungy and any race can look well-kept. It has nothing to do with being black or white or blue or green.
The ad should have shown a black guy with his pants around his butt in one picture and then the same guy in pants pulled up.
Why does everything have to be about race with you people? It seems like the people that constantly bring race into every issue are the ones with all of the anger and hate! Deep down they are the ones who are racists. White people are kind, forgiving, sympathetic, intelligent, family oriented people. We have nothing to be ashamed of. I am proud to be white. I also do not have anything against another for being proud of who they are. It only differs because when a white person is proud....they are considered a racist. When a person of any other race is proud....it is heritage! As for slavery.....there is still slavery in Africa! Africans have been slaves to themselves far longer than they ever were in America. As a white person I am proud that my ancestors were sympathetic enough to not only free the slaves but let them stay here where they were not starving and being sold as slaves. If it were not for whites they would not be where they are today. Africa is infested with A.I.D.S., poverty, starvation, slavery! If I were an African American...I would not be typing on a computer about an ad. I would be fighting for my people who are still suffering in Africa!!!! I would also be greatful to the people who seen the error of their ways and helped my people overcome great amounts of tragedy! I would say thank you. I would not constantly whine about something that actually and honestly bettered my people. I cannot believe this ad has become a racial issue. In this ad I do not see colors. If you see colors......you may just be......a racist!
LOVE THE AD...
IT IS TOO FUNNY
Crying blacks again.....what about the Caveman Geico commercial.....maybe that was implying that whites are neanderthals?? No one got offended....maybe because maturity and logic prevail more in the white race?
The african american community needs more common sense................
The black community needs more commonsense........
As the owner of an advertising company with more than 200 employees in three offices nationwide, I can tell you that if both men showed up for an interview, I'd be more inclined to offer a position to the one who was "re-civilized". I hire people who act, look and are successful and present themselves well...no matter their race or ethnicity. If you want to look like a bum, you'll not work for my company; if you care about how you present yourself, the door to employment is wide open.
You seriously would have to put in some real effort and actually TRY to find this ad racist.
I'm so sick of this person-of-color-who-cried-wolf cr@p. In response, I'm going to go out tonight and buy a whole bunch of Nivea products. Then I'm going to head home and civilize my white self.
as long as blacks insist they are persecuted, they will be. Time to grow up, get on with something important; like education, science, etc.
They should have used a white man with a mask that looked like a biker. Pretty much the same statement, and nobody would have gotten their feelings hurt. It must suck to be so easily offended.
lets face it flash mobs and crime are what black people are known for...its true it the secret we all know.. we are just to politically correct to say anything about it.
Let's face it white people are pedophiles.
It's racist to think it's racist. The ad haters clearly accept the concept racial inequality in commercial images. It's just an ad.
Racist? No. Stupid ad? Yes. If it were somehow more obvious this were a "before and after" type thing it would've been fine.
It's not the color of the skin.It's the fact that the man(white or black) looked like he doesn't care about his appearance.Stop being so sensitive.
BW-HATER YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT!
FACT: BW-HATER
what's racist is calling this ad racist. grow up and get over yourself, everyone.
Really? I think we currently take racial issues too far; I thought we were past all of that. I think the ad is strange I'll give you that, but would we have an outcry like this if it was a clean cut white guy holding a hippies head mask? answer: No. Please people, just move past color and just see a person, a human as just that. We all bleed the same color blood.
give me a break and lighten up..could just have been a white guy with a bad mullet
But yeah, the model is gorgeous. There is nothing wrong with a afro or a beard. I don't see the connection between "looking like you give a damn" with or without a afro or a beard. Black men are the backbone in the black community. Their strength, independence and beauty is what attracts me the most to them. Culturally, I can see how this ad can be offensive. If you have not studied black/african american history (outside of your k-12 classroom), you really have no right to say this ad is or is not offensive/racist. I am white, a black history major and I realize something is wrong here. What the hell kind of excuse are the rest of you using?
The ad is obviously the brain(?)child of a moron who thinks he/she has exclusive rights to the definition of the adjective "civilized" – like the guy who defined the "axis of evil". Syrians, Iranians (Persians), Indians ..... must be laughing their heads off.
So.... stop having AA males shaving in Gillette commercials? This is stupid
I actually don't think the ad was racist at all. Before we start gawking off at the mouth look at it from a different stand point. Had Nivea used a clean cut white guy holding the mask of a bearded white guy with a mullet would this have been an issue? Something tells me, no. We have to stop being so sensitive. We constantly talk about wanting racisim to end but yet we are always playing the race card. And before anyone assumes I'm being bias, take note of that fact that I am BLACK. We are too sensitive! Get over it.
So it's racist to say that black people can look a mess? First thing in the morning, like now as I am typing this, I look a mess. I do clean up real nice though, but anyway how in the world is that racist?
So much controversy over nothing. If it were a white guy throwing a white guy's head, no one would complain about it. But it's a BLACK guy, throwing a BLACK guy's head, and that somehow makes it racist?
If the shoe fits wear it... Take a look at that picture... Re-civilize Yourself might be good advice? It will take more than Nivea!!
cnn.com/2011/US/08/18/flashmobs.police/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1
This week in Germantown, Maryland, it took less than a minute for a flash mob of teenagers to descend on a 7-Eleven, ransack shelves and make off with hundreds of dollars worth of stuff.
I am sick and tired of the 'America has a history of slavery' line. You know what? Africa STILL has a history of slavery! Had it 2,000 years before America ever even existed, and it never went away! The slave trade would have been impossible here if not for the tribal warlords of Africa trading their own kind for their own profit. I never considered that point until Bill Clinton visited Uganda and was asked about an 'official' apology for American slavery, and the Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni was asked about such an American apology, he replied: "African chiefs were the ones waging war on each other and capturing their own people and selling them. If anyone should apologize it should be the African chiefs. We still have those traitors here even today."
Just tired of the selective history. Everybody's hands are dirty.
I bet an African American woman created the ad design. Racism or not it says "get yo' s**t together". It could also be a white guy with a fat suit.
The point is, rasta hair style is considered to be perfectly acceptable by a good fraction of people within the black community, and not necessarily a sign of moral or physical decay. The agency that came up with this ad did not, at best, understand this, and at worst did not respect this. Calling it racist is probably stupid, but provocative it is certainly.
If it was a white guy I'd still be laughing!!
The ad is good, there are Americans from many nationalities who are proud to be called an American. Then there are people of African descent who refuse to be called an American. Go figure out why they don't blend into the rest of the world's peoples.
So the colored guy is holding up a head of another colored guy. The Ad asks all coloreds to get civilized.
What's the catch?
I LOVE this ad. Sometimes the truth hurts.
I will be sure to buy extra Nivea....
I love stories like this. For every one black poster, their are 50 white posters claiming reverse racism. It's like a magnet for Caucasians to try to tell the black community what they think of us. I know it'shard for many of them to understand, but just like when you look at me because some other brother is acting like a fool in public, I do not represent EVERY BLACK PERSON! You don't know as much as you think you know about the "Blacks", just because you have a few dark friends. Someone claimed the ad was racist because we don't consider an Afro and a beard "uncivilized". The ad makes one wonder if that is the impressions the produces had when thinking of what an "uncivilized" Black person looks like. If they wanted to use a Cave Man, they should have just used one. I have never seen a Cave Man with an afro in any museum I every went to.
Whoever was the first person to lob a "racist" allegation over this ad should be smacked alongside the head for being an idiot and helping to propagate racism where it doesn't exist. We can only get past racism if people will stop trying to call out completely normal activities as racist, almost as though they're hoping to keep racism alive and well. We need to be at a point where we accept an ad like this without even a 2nd glance. We are all equal, and therefore there is nothing racist about this ad whatsoever.
one word for all those people crying racism. Go see the Maryland Flash Mob and then talk. I feel this ad is wrong, it shouldn't just talk about skincare but also mentality of the blacks in general.
I think we can all agree he does look better.
Forget the rascist part. This print ad is so stupid and incomprehensible I can't believe any ad agency creative director even went for it.
When I was in college, I defaced a picture of a black man running for student body president. I added a mustache and goatee similar to the way I defaced many pictures. I was accused of being racist. To this day, I don't see how defacing a picture posted on the wall is racist.
And I don't see how this ad is racist. Someone can disagree that natural hair is "uncivilized" or even be offended if they prefer the natural look, but it's not racism.
Ship the blacks to another planet that seems to be the only place they can be happy because every other race on the earth hates them.
There is always someone looking for something to whine about.
cool add. I love inovative advertising ! (check my ubonics ) Yeah, public school has more to worry about than a nice skin cream.
An Afro is a hairstyle/fashion choice and how black peoples hair grow naturally. To say that is uncivilized is to say that black people are inherently uncivilized and that they need the help of beauty products to become civilized and acceptable to society. This is insensitive to those who choose to be naturally who they are. So for all of you who previously stated that an Afro such as the one in the mask is uncivilized you are dead wrong. Someone can have an afro and be civil and intelligent and a contribution to society. Who are any of you to tell any other human being on this planet regardless of their race that they're fashion choice is uncivil and barbaric.
Political Correctness is Censorship. Why do white folks not care about The Cave Man – because we know we are not primitive. Why do black folks care about the word "civilized" – good question.
It's not only the mask that is offensive but the wording "re civilize" yourself? The concept of being civilized has been a major narrow minded ideals of white people in the case of native americans, african americans, and any other group that did not follow their often times ridiculous view points on the correct way to portray oneself. This reference has been used throughout history as an excuse for fixing people instead of celebrating cultural differences.
un·civ·i·lized Adjective/ˌənˈsivəˌlīzd/
1. (of a place or people) Not considered to be socially, culturally, or morally advanced.
2. Impolite; bad-mannered.
White folks laid the foundations of government, mathematics, science, industry, politics, engineering, medicine – they are so evil.
Looting flash mobs are racist gatherings and nobody is complaining. Whites are not present.
Funny how this wouldn't at all be a problem if it was a -white- guy holding a mask with long hair and a beard. If we're going to be this oversensitive, we might as well only let white people be photographed/filmed for fear that someone is going to be offended by some overlooked potentially racist element. C'mon, guys...
This is racist to the bone. No matter how clueless the person was who created this ad, someone with a clue along the way could have caught it before it got published. There is no excuse for this. None.
Over ONE BILLION DOLLARS a year spent by WHITES on skin tanning products wwwwaaa I can't like go to the beach without hitting the tanning booth like I'm sooo pasty eeewww.
A lot of you people don't get it. This is just another add saying "look and dress like white people if you want to succeed." It is insensitive at the very least.
Pray tell, GoldenGate, how do white people dress?
Am I missing something? Why is this racist?
I'm African-American with natural hair. I never thought it was racist. I've been tweeting this all day and have it posted on Facebook. Matter of fact, I've been showing both ads. There is one of a white male model and the ad with the black male model. Looking at both of the ads makes it obvious that they were showing cavemen....not an afro. I don't understand why people didn't do the research first. This was a waste of time. Even before I saw the other ad with the white model, I was not offended. For those who haven't seen both ads, here's the link to where I have them posted http://www.facebook.com/pages/CharyJay/252825614745663?sk=wall#!/note.php?note_id=273895619290484
Lighten up Francis.
Stop being a victim. Study, get an education, work for what you want and join the rest of civilized society (Nivea not required).
If I were Nivea, I would create an ad with pants pulled down, with your underwear showing and with the same slogan. "Re-Civilize". Very appropriate slogan. BTW I heard King Kong is being made in 3-D. 3-D racism? Who cares what anyone thinks. I want to go watch that movie.
What do I think of this ad? I see an incredibly hot man (I don't care what color he is – he's hot) and I *thought* the point was, "higher level of grooming" = more "civilized." Where did this racist thing come from???
look @all the whiny non blacks. no one asked nor need your permission for blacks to address the issue that is offensive to us. lol @ pathetic bigots acting so paranoid about what blacks do. you have a mental illness bigots. Suddenly people nonblack have turned more ignorant about racial history and stereotypes judging the comments. Don't worry about what blacks do bigots.
Nivea, like pepsi & state farm will never see another dime of my $$. And that is my right as a FREE PERSON
after looking at some of these posts...i think that white people need to be slaves to black people and beaten with their family and self esteem constantly taken away for 400 yrs...then i can look them in the face and say with a stupid look..."what's the problem? i don't see racism here" i wonder what would be their reply then...i bet it would sound a lot like black people's
Interesting, if it had been a white man...there would have been an outcry of racism, because the model wasn't black.
I think the ad is fine, and the whiners crying about it need to find something productive to do with their time. And why the hell is it that ANY race other then whites displayed this way are considered racist?
Multiculturalism is BS, political correct crap is just that...crap. If you wanna be equal, act like it and get over your blubbering..
II work for a judge and I can tell you that white people are also judged if their hair is long and messy – it's human nature. If they walk into court with a scraggly beard and shaggy hair, everyone makes immediate assumptions and they include that the person is "uncivilized."
The people who saw it and immediately considered the race issue are the ones who are racist. The fact that those who created it didn't see it that way shows they're not racist. They didn't say to themselves, 'let's get some negative publicity and alienate a large number of customers.' Grow up. Move on. The hyper-sensitivity reminds us all of the differences. Maybe if it wasn't pointed out constantly, it would diminish. Making an issue out of something innocent like this only hurts situations when racism is really a factor.
I'm going to start carrying NIVEA with me and dumping it on blacks with Afros and beards,.... and just letting them know that I am helping them become civilized.
Yay!.....the PC police strike again! We must be overly sensitive to everything we see. I'm surprised that comedy central is even allowed to exist anymore.
What's ironic is that they probably specifically chose an african american model as to be more inclusive and diverse in their marketing strategy. And this is the response. Sometimes you just can't win.
I'm half black and half white so I guess you can say I'm torn on this topic. The black half (from the waist down of course) wants to smack all the black babies for giving white people more reasons to not hire us. The white half wants to smack the white wingnuts who see this as an opportunity to scold black people for not tucking in their shirts.
In general, I think most of us have preconceived opinions about other groups of people, but that's just human nature. What's my point? The ad is harmless unless you try really hard to read into something that's not there. The only way this ad could be perceived as "racist" would be if the model was a Native American with copy that reads, "Get off the Reservation."
what is so civilized about pitching a severed head down some sport field. a severed head.
How is an afro uncivilized? I, myself, used to have a very nice one. I got compliments about it all the time. Now, I have a full head of lovely locks, or dreadlocks. I get even more compliments on those. Yet, I do NOT, in any way, consider myself uncivilized. If anything, this ad insults the 70s era and everyone, black AND white, who wore an afro with facial hair. Heck, why not have him as a caveman? EVERYONE agrees that is usually associated when humans were not civilized. Is Nivea saying that there were no black cavemen? Why is that?
I'm pretty sure black cavemen probably had dreadlocks like yourself. Maybe you should pitch yourself as a model in their next ad – I'm sure the PC public wouldn't have a problem with that.
its not the image that's racist; A clean cut guy doing away with the scruffy look. Fine. But the tagline, "look like you give a damn" "re-civilize yourself" is thoughtless when paired with the image by implying that black men who have afros and aren't clean cut are uncivilized, and must not give a damn. Now put this in context with many stereotypes whites believe about black people/black men (lazy, uneducated, aimless, animals, thugs,criminals, etc etc), and you'll get the drift. Not that Nivea did this intentionally or is racist, but the tagline with the ad does have those racist overtones. Also, afros historically and even today are a symbol of black pride, not a sign of being a ne'er-do-well
Perfect explanation.
This ad is definitely not racist. However, this is a good example of yet another reason why racism is still so prevalent – because people keep looking for it in places where it is not. Just can't live without it, can ya?
Thank you – well said.
Typical of our racist pasty skin inbred Caucasus Mountain breed to post such a inflammatory ad. It's in our inherently pasty skin cystic fibrosis suffering racist nature.
They should keep the ad. This ad is only telling people to stop living stereotypes and be more like your beautiful awesome self.
For some to say Jews had it far worst than slaves is just ignorant. More slaves died in the middle passage than the entire holocaust. Both slavery and the holocaust was very tradegic. By the way Jews received an entire country for there sorrow. A country that does not belong to them fake Hebrews. Know your history!!! America was built on the back of slaves.
When a black person is offended by print or certain language it is immediatley watered down. They are accused of pulling the race card. Why??? Maybe because the country is still racist. If a Jew becomes offended or a gay person becomes offended than these feelings are immediately validated and the press speaks of it over and over. Everyone should care that a Jew or gay person was offended and the offense is shoved down our throats. However Black people who cares. They should be able to express concerns as well.
Accuse gays of playing the victim as they speak the loudest when someone makes an anti-gay remark.
So, ads and other things have to be more diverse and not just show White people, but they can only make fun of the person if they are White, if its a non-white the ad must show them in a positive manner the whole way through. I think those Caveman GEICO commercials are racist, because you just see White cavemen.
Wow, it must be wonderful to not have a racist bone in your body, does the halo ever get heavy? Face it, the human species is and always will be predators, there is not a good bone in a single one of our bodies the only innocent ones are the babies, and we do our best to destroy the peace they came to us with. We kill for the joy of killing, we eat the flesh of other species because they don't look like us, talk like us and they CAN"T stop us. We feel superior to every other living thing on this planet. We destroy everything we put our hands on. And we are going to worry if a Nivea ad is racist. Who Cares! Whatever the color of our skin we all carry the same sickness in our souls. We seek, We destroy.
" I see white people."
Let's just say that I used to be a fan of Nivea, I have now switched to jergens. My daugther recently let go of her relaxed hair. It was not the easiest decision, because people judge you on how they think you should look. They try to judge you on just about everything. Yesterday, I saw an article about a woman who was rising up the military chain. People on this website were so upset that the article spoke about her blackness, many said that black folks should just get over themselves, and stop bringing up the fact that we are black. I think this article speaks volumes about why we don't stop talking about it, and why being black has nothing to do with being anything, but black. You can't begin to understand me, until you have walked in my shoes. Do I have empathy for the many groups of people who are going through their own thing; yes. Anyway, I see that we still have a long way to go.
Racist? Really? First off, its 2 blacks. Its not like its a white dude holding a black head. The way I take the add, where it says "Give a da'mn" its showing the dude with the afro and a beard, looking scrubby. Sorry, that look makes you look, like you really dont give a darn about your appearance. Nothing wrong with the ad IMO.
I think it was trying to say that the nation's dress and grooming standards have declined in recent years and it is time to return to better grooming. Unfortunately the model is black and the message was distorted. I don't think it was supposed to criticize black culture.
I don't see anything even slightly "racial" about this ad. Some people are over-sensitive. It could have been a caucasian holding a neanderthal mask, or an asian holding a ghengis kahn mask, or ... pick your ethnicity. They were just trying to tell men to clean up their act, which is a good thing, really.
I think gays, Muslims, Jews etc... are over sensitive. Are you crazy? There issue is important to them!
I stopped buying Nivea products many years ago when they thought a pic of a naked woman was necessary.
Show a fat white guy with long hair and a beard would have been ok, but showing a black guy with an Afro is sacrilege. One day we will be an ancient society that is studied by others, and they will laugh at us for how silly we acted.
this is probably more of a case of they werent paying attention to who would get offended. because who would care if the guy was white
Waa-waaaa. You know, if they made all their ads with white people only throwing bushy heads then there would be an outcry... why don't they use black models? If you think this is a racist ad, you have self-pity up the wazoo.
Totally not racist. It is a black man holding a bushy head. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin, just that he didn't groom well before Nivea. Would work the same for black, white, red, yellow, etc. Anyone who thinks this is racist is nutso.
It looks like the head of an african-american hippie to be quite honest. It would have made sense to put an Irish/Italian/Franco/Polish/Danish/Etc./American hippie doing the same thing.
Ha haa the asalts against us will never end. Thank God I don't buy that cheap trash Nevia sells and now I never will. Nazi dirtbags.
Seems some are looking for racism everywhere,including where it doesn't exist.If there were no African Americans in ad print then wouldn't that be racism?Come on people,spend your energy doing something positive.Just sayin.
I have to agree. I find this add offensive. And I am neither Black nor a male.
The idea of suggesting there is anything uncivil with a Afro or being Black is full out racist intoning of Nivea. What in the heck were they thinking? How could this slip past multiple levels of scrutiny before it hit publication? Really wrong of Nivea on multiple levels.
The "civilized" comment was way over the top and offensive. The "mask" looked like a severed demon head with black eye sockets. I am glad they pulled the ad.
I'm more intrigued by the fact that he's out and about with a severed head. At least put it in a bag to protect it. No one wants a perfectly good head banged and nicked up from exposure.
Whiners and crybabies rule the world.....
Great products! I knew there was a reason I use them every day. But, it wasn't the ads.
Dear Nivea, you can redo the ad with a white guy and white scruffy guy mask, apparently scruffiness is a part of black culture, so please be more sensitive next time, and use a white guy!
NIvea should have pushed back, saying it was a statement on grooming, culture, and its products. Someone here said 'post racial, my ass'...and I agree. Because someone out there is always ready to play the race card, but most of the time it-isn't-working...and one of these days you are going to see corporate America shrug at the shrilling. Because they'll figure out that the complainers are just race-baiters, and sophisticated, educated *truly post-racial* upper-crust blacks who use the product will understand, also shrug, and continue to buy.
Hate it when men of ANY race are unshaven and look as if they have just rolled out of bed after a night of hard core partying. It screams LAZY and SMELLY. Both my husband and I comment on this "Look" all the time. It is gross and a big turn off to most women.
I had a pharmaceutical rep come into my office one day, sporting this look, SOOO unprofessional. Just my opinion. Why does the black community always take issue with EVERYTHING? I wouldn't have thought this ad was about the black man, I would have thought it was about UNKEMPT MEN. Just my 2 cents.
I used to think of Nivea as a brand that was set apart from other products like it prior to this. I will definitely think twice about purchasing any of its products from this point forward. In addition, I think the ad was in poor taste regardless of the race or ethnicity of the actor.
damn naggers
Why do white people keep commenting that blacks should just lighten up? Why don't you just darken up? Oh yea you do that when you hit the tanning booths my bad,that's another as you've proven how much most of you loath black people ,why don't you stop stealing our slang, our rap music,dress,hairstyles,our men and all of the other things that you hate about us.How's that to get ya draws up ya a**es.yuh heard me?
You accuse I of thieving the slang of thee? Preposterous, sir! For I have a dialect of thine own. One with which I shall striketh down upon thee with great vigor and furious ridicule, and thee shall suffer great humiliation by the rhetoric of thine tongue. On the contrary... woe to YOU who dares thief the prose of I, a poet whose porcelain skin shines white as the driven snow.
Looks like a new sport to me... head chucking. Oh wait, they invented that in Mexico
LOL!
africa kinda would do well re-civilizing itself for the most part. No offense to anyone with recent ancestral roots there, but it's mostly a continent sized backwater $h1thole. And I'd make sure I don't get confused with anyone from there.
If it was a white man and the head of a white bearded man with a 70's hair-style, it wouldn't have been considered racists. Way to go with the double standards, libs.
It's more than an issue of swapping out the black guy for a white hippie or a clean cut black guy holding the likeness of a scruffy guy. The problem really has nothing to even do with the beard. What makes this ad racist is the fact that it suggests that the image of the "scruffy " guy (as some of you called it)is considered to be uncivilized. The ad even says to look like you give a damn..implying that the way the majority of African Americans (male and female) look is somehow uncivilized and appears as if they don't give a dayum. The fact of the matter is that an afro is what most black people will have without altering their natural hair. This is the natural appearance of men and women and for the ad to state that the way blacks naturally look needs re-civilizing in order to "look like they give a damn " is not only racist but insulting as well.. You cannot compare this with a hippie of the 70's in hippie garb.
@Joe below or above not sure where my comment will end up, your comment hits a considerable nail head with the analogy of transitioning from an "scruffy" look to a more refined appearance being an act of re-civilizing is where this ad goes awry and finds itself dated. Your comment makes valid points about what look would be obtained by "going natural" and you apply that to the blacks semi justifying their outcry but the truth of the matter is that any person period going natural would accomplish the same effect thus validating the ad legitimacy. You almost had me with racist and insulting then I realized it was the latter insulted. But then I realized that I was insulted because I'm a bald black guy and alot of us sport this look because its in, I do because of balding, and I realized then that if i was going to be frustrated by this article it would be because "scruffy" was getting seemingly bashed, because if I could obtain it, I would be sporting a semi "nappy " 4-5 inch afro with my slacks, fitted shirts my Re'vo watch with a neatly trimmed goatee thinking I was looking great and knowing it. Which led me to the conclusion that the notion that scruffy shows a lack of civilization or doesn't get the job done is the suggestion that I take Nivea to task on.
You might be a racist and not know it!
The ad implies that one is already civilized! I think the whining babies don't understand English! This could be compared to renewing marriage vows!
Hey, I get it. If he was a white man holding the face of a scruffy black man that would be racist. But calling on men of any color to step it up a notch and look like they have a little care about themselves is a good thing. Black and white. If people are reading that white men don't need to do this but black men do, then that is wrong. Did they have an equivalent ad depicting a white guy? Or hispanic? Or Asian? Or..? I would hope so.
But let's not lose the baby with the bathwater – men – take heed. (and women for that matter, but that is for another day). I think how the country's citizens choose to project themselves is a reflection of how they feel about themselves, their lives and their country. We could all use a makeover.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5X4N2exOsU&w=640&h=390]
Tom Waits lol. Nice mash up.
It seems most of the racists today are the blacks themselves. They see racism behind every door and under every bed and that's the sad part!
Yup, "the blacks themselves."
I agree with James.
Stop TRYING to find a reason to be offended. It's offensive.
Why are blacks (or whatever they are now) so self-conscious about being cast as uncivilized? Could it be the flash mobs? Their high crime/probation/incarceration rate? I don't know what could cause it.
If it's so racist why is the black dude in the ad supporting racism AND gets paid for it? Hmmmmm
Does anyone see the irony of it all? This is a bleeping racist magazine.....duh......!
I agree. It's not like the guy is carrying a gorilla mask.
RACIS RACIS RACIS
Actual racism doesn't exist anymore so new definitions of racism had to be created so that poverty pimps and liberal academics could keep their jobs and their feelings of moral superiority and "class struggle".
It will not be over until all poor white males are completely oppressed and neutered.
LOL.
Nothing wrong with the ad, it's perfect.
Why does everything always have to be racial or racially motivated. Get a grip. It is an ad.
Maybe Nivea should stop using black people in their ads to avoid this sort of fiasco. The strange thing is that it is more than likely a white lib who started the fuss. Hope they are glad they cut this poor guy's ad commision off from the minute they withdrew the ad. He will be losing thousands.
Sorry for laughing but it seems men now have a taste of how women have been represented in ads for years and years: as needing improvement and not being acceptable the way they are. We aren't attractive or feminine if we have cellulite, body hair, drawn-on faces, painted nails, lacquered hair, etc. I can see how people think this ad is about race but frankly all these men's facial products are moot if a man had a beard: they seem to be selling a clean cut look not a non-black look, I guess to some people that is the same thing?
I suppose this will lead to yet another violent black mob....
what a fantastic add! i'm going to buy some nivea.
It seems very unfortunate to me that percieved racism in an ad could result in true discrimination in hiring. Imagine an ad executive showing his/her boss the layout for the ad. S/he then shows the boss an 8 x 10 glossy of the handsome, urbane black model he wants to use for the ad. The racially-sensitive boss says, "Yeah, but then it could be percieved as racist. Have to use a white guy instead." Same ad runs, nobody gets their undies in a bundle, and another talented black man misses out on a job due to his color.
WOW. The solution is simple: If you are marketing toward a particular group, use a model from that group.
When I read the subject I knew it would have more comments than the ecnomy,terrorism,the national debt even The Kardashians.I'll bet most of you 'non racist'have never tried to have a constructive conversation with anyone black unless you had to at school or work and you view them all the same ok maybe not one or two that caters to you.On the most part I think you're the kind that stands in a check -out and make sure that you make enough space between them so good forbid you accidentally touch. I can't wait to get back home,you Americans. God Bless You
Would someone look up the term "racist/racism." Please use the word within context.
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/racist
"Black people should just stop being so black! I mean, that's what the white man did. They stopped being black a longtime ago. You don't see white people walking around Black. They done know better. They learnt long ago that black is too hot to handle. If black people would just learn that, they'd be better off. In this day-and-age, you still walking around Black, you looking for trouble? Black people should just lighten up!"
And I agree with MOOOOOO Fat Firsty Cow, That ad really didnt sound like a good idea.
Here's how this went.
1st Ad Exec: "Hey guys, let's make an ad where some clean-cut guy is throwing his former head away. The tag line can read "Re-civilize yourself." We'll basically be saying that by using Nivea products, you can revitalize your look and feel like a new man, leaving your scruffy looks behind and coming back into mainstream society. We can have the face on the head have a beard and long hair, like he hadn't shaved or gotten a haircut in a long time."
2nd Ad Exec: "Good idea, let's discuss details."
3rd Ad Exec: "We should probably use a black man to represent diversity so that all of our customers are represented. We don't really want to favor one group too much; people might think we're racist or something like that."
1st Ad Exec: "True, true. Well, in that case, what do you suppose the guy and his head should look like?"
2nd Ad Exec: "Well, let's see...in the black community, a clean-cut guy usually has a very short haircut with maybe some waves in it., so the post-Nivea guy should probably have that too. And when most black people don't get their hair cut, they typically start to grow Afros, being that their hair isn't really straight like white people or Asians, so his head should probably have an Afro. The beards for black people are typically the same as everyone else, so that shouldn't be an issue."
3rd Exec: "That sounds great, it'll really get our message across! Let's send it over to the art department."
I think everyone is reading waaay too much into this and creating controversy where there is none.
"Well, let's see...in the black community, a clean-cut guy usually has a very short haircut..." Really? You can't see the racism in your own little story?
Blacks have made their own negative stereotypes. Over and over again. Flash mob robbery anyone?
I'm not surprised that many cnn readers consider an afro to be considered uncivilized. after all, the business etiquette was determined by those of European ancestry. So, if a black man's seven inches of hair doesn't grow like a white man's seven inches of hair he must cut it off in order to be considered a presentable member of society.
People will always find something to complain about.
They should've had a similar image of a white guy next to the black guy, and Nivea would've avoided all this.
For centuries Blacks have been taught to hate themselves, to hate everything about themselves. So, this picture just happen to open up old wounds. Honestly, I am not even mad because I dont expect anything less from this world.
Time to fire your marketing company.
Put a white guy in there, and show him throwing away his viking helmet and sword.
Same concept, but nobody cries about it.
I don't see anything wrong with it at all. People are just quick to jump on any little thing and twist it to suit their argument. Way too overly sensitive.
I do not believe what I
'm reading. But then again, I do. White people know NOTHING about how black people live and experience. What they know are media, movies, and music videos. Which have become very poor examples now-a-day. Black people are forced to learn white history, and live under a system where white people are and have always been in power. So before you say, "Oh my gosh get over it." Go on and educate on how hard it actually is to live this way. So yes this might be something small to people of other races. But you would never get it unless you saw through our eyes. Do not judge what you don't know.
Since it is soooo hard for you to live under the oppressive American system, do us all a favor and move to a place where you can indulge in all the black history you want. African countries being so free and safe....
Guess Obama didn't pay your mortgage afterall.
Using your logic one could not discuss death intelligently unless they have died. Grow some balls and quit being a baby
I think it's funny how the clean-cut guy is "African-American" while the mask is a "black man" with an Afro hair style and a beard.
I am not sure that my thoughts go in the offensive direction when I see this ad. I guess, I would have just used a diversity of different contexts so as to not make it look as if I was targeting any specific cultural group. I am willing to give NIVEA the benefit of the doubt. I don't think they meant any offense. They were probably thinking of the 60's or 70's context of us moving away from specific trends.
Gosh, I don't know. I just don't see too much of an issue but I wish we would pay that much attention to advertising that constantly bombards women and teenagers with weight loss and anti-aging products.
Ok I think people need to stop whining and being so sensitive for everything...stop playing the race card....I am of Indian descent and we had the British rule us for 200 years and we were pretty much slaves but we don't milk that and use it as a reason not to go ahead in life.....stop being so sensitive...if it was an Indian or a Chinese or any other Asian or white it wouldn't be an issue – what makes black people so special that we have to be so careful...get over it!! Every country is racist!! You are now in an equal opportunity country so learn to enjoy that and stop living in the past!! Ugh!!
I'm electing you white Americas spokesperson. We can't say anything when it comes to this topic that is negative in any way because when we do we are just automatically called racist. We need another ethnicity to step in and tell them to suck it up and move forward. Thank you.
1. If it was a white clean cut man taking off a white caveman looking mask no one would complain
2. Black people do not use Nivea products so I'm shocked they put black people in a commercial
3. i see nothing wrong this add.
4. actually the message is great "Look like you give a dam"....and pull your dam pants up!!
5. and yes I'm Black and live in a very Urban setting.
If they guy in the ad wore his pants down, I could see your point. However, there was an afro. Some people with low-cuts don't give a damn as some people with afros don't. I happen to wear an afro and work in a professional setting. I along with most love my fro. I also look very civilized.
If you are black then I am blue.
You freakin racists JUST WON"T QUIT your crap! It wasn't a mistake, it was inherently stupid as all racists are! And boy, did you undercover devils come out of hiding when America elected a black man as President. But the blame lies with your greedy, lazy ancestors who pilfered a country and kidnapped it's people. You reap what you freakin' sow!!!!!
What you folks who are not black fail to realize is that the Afro itself is a touchy subject within the community. You have some black folk who look down on other black folk ape wearing the afro and those who wear the afro espouse how they are better than the conformers who don't. I'm reminded of the old new Yorker cover that depicted the obamas as militants. It was the afro on Michelle obama's head that probably upset black folk more than anything in the pic. Please understand the history and the fact that blacks argue amongst themselves over the afro before you blindly accuse blacks of being racists to a white company. This issue is not new.
Well hell. I should grow the white man mullet. Ya know the mullet is still a pretty touchy subject among the white community. Nivea better not go there or all hell is gonna break loose. Haha.......I can't believe some people actually called for the removal of this ad. I 1000 years the race card is still gonna be pulled out. It's never gonna end.
I didn't say I had a problem with the ad. However, your comparison, nor any of the others, compare. The mullet was fad worn by a certain segment of the Caucasian race – although black folk had their version, too – and maybe others sneered at the segment. I personally thought the mullet was cool in it's day and many of my friends had the hairstyle. The afro, on the other hand, is synonymous with the black power movement, which some blacks consider a disgrace and others consider a truimph. Foiks with afros were plastered all over the FBI most wanted pages. Yes the Afro was a fad and popular folk like the Jackson 5 and Diana Ross wore them. But there's also that underlying black panther/black nationalism equation that is touchy for blacks and whites. Like I said, I'm not saying I agree with the outrage (especially since I'm biracial), but I am saying it's good to know the history.
so obviously racially insensitive, wonder how it even got that far, meaning why didn't anybody withing the company speak up? Maybe this is a picture into how this company really thinks?
I don't think this is a very smart ad on Nivea's part but I think the black people trying to organize a boycott should focus a lot more of their attention on the outbreak of all black flash mobs committing crimes rather than this ad.
I think they were all stealing Nivea products.
If he were a white man holding the black mask (implying that taking off the black mask and becoming white made him civilized) THEN that would be racist. But a black man taking of a black mask to still be.. well black really isn't. It doesn't annoy me because of race but because I like afro hair :-/ My boyfriend's hair is in a nice and well kept 'fro and I also wear my hair natural and we both "give a damn". Offensive to natural hair? Yes. Offensive to black people as an entire race? Uh, no.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ju56qtO2k
Black people wear cardigans? Also, why does he look like he's in such a rush? Is he a spy or a bank robber? This ad brings more questions than answers, NIVEA. Maybe the person in the ad is a member of a sleeper cell and a terrorist? Anyone that posted a serious response to this story at any time really needs to pull the stick out of their ass and find something more fulfilling in life rather than complain about it. I suggest traveling the world, it'll do wonders for restoring your faith in humanity.
I'm more offended by their politically correct BS response than by the ad. They're so 'open-minded' that their brains are falling out.
Right on point!
ok....im sorry, but.......yall black people need to grow some balls and stop thinking everything is racist. immature, overdefesive
way over sensitive and stupid
Sucks that in this day in age, it seems companies need to have a sensitivity person on their full-time payroll.
Having said that... yeah, the ad was potentially a little too much. They're automatically saying an African American male with an afro and a full beard is uncivilized and doesn't give a damn.
The positive thing, in the end, is their quick realization of some marketing person's quick release of the ad and pull it, as well as address the issue.
Whether it was a pre-written response just to get people off their case or not... that's for the jury to decide.
As for me... I have never bought their product, and this ad and story doesn't make me want to purchase it any more or less.
Next...
Overblown. Let's stop playing our race card and move on. This is an ad about looking scruffy or not. Not about black or white.
The racist undertone isn't a "white-black" one... I think it's more of how the African American male is stereotyped as not giving a damn or uncivilized if he chooses to have an Afro or a full beard.
And if it had featured a picture of a clean-cut white man with a mask that had long hair and a beard, it would have been perfectly okay. Ditch the f***ing double standard.
I run a small business and it's stories like this one that make me nervous about hiring an black American. I'm afraid I might say the wrong thing and the next thing you know I'm being labeled a racists and being sued. I can say for certain that if black, white, yellow, or green person came in for an interview with scraggly hair and a scruffy beard they would not even get to interview. If you don't have enough respect for me to clean yourself up (look civilized) then I am certainly not going to waste my time.
I run a small busines and all my employees are white. I'm not that impressed.
The real sadness of this article is that it points to the unending repressed victim syndrome the blacks in America have been forced to live with for the past 150 years. Not one living person is a slave, was a slave, has a parent or grandparent who was a slave. The media constantly feeds blacks this notion that they are looked down upon, mistreated, discriminated against, and made fun of, and thought of by whites as ugly, etc, etc., etc. It nonsense. Its an ad that is saying "Please don't look like the "head". Look like the good-looking BLACK man." Oh yes...and buy our product.
That's not true. There are people living who had grandparents that were slaves. Not everyone dies young.
First of all, there were other travesties done to African Americans besides slavery, such as (but not limited to) segregation, lynching, sharecropping (which essential ended up being like slavery, because of the crookedness of the system), innocent people thrown in jail for things they didn't do, poor access to health care, ect. Many black women were sterilized so they "wouldn't pollute the country with there offspring," for no other reason than they were black (all the way into the 70's). So to say that when slavery ended, so did the mistreatment of African Americans, shows your incredible ignorance!
All I see is a hot dude tossing a head. I think you'd have to be a tad racist yourself if you're reading more into it.
My knee jerk reaction was to find the main man very attractive and read second.
Ok, if it was a white guy with a missing tooth and a scraggly beard on the "head" and a good looking white guy holding the "head", would it be racist/offensive because they choose a non-minority for the ad? Get a grip people. Freedom of expression, and freedom from stupidity. Nivea -- do what you want.
Sometimes I think these ad people are drunk or high when they come up with this stuff
well i take it that its very improper for an ad to be showing a head without a body. this ad can be viewed as insensitive by many because of that.
Dead people who lost their heads in an accident would be "outraged".
I lost my head once. I am offended and outraged. Let's march in the streets ! Who's with me ???????
I think that they should keep the ad. They should also make an ad of a white man dress in cavemen attire holding a club over his left shoulder while eating a turkey leg, unshaven, hairy, better yet use Robin Williams ,standing next to the handsome George Clooney.
Nivea hit the nail on the head. Speak the truth and be damned what the masses say.
Would there have been the same outcry if the ad was with a white guy? I doubt it. I'm growing quite weary of these people who are "outraged" at everything that comes along. Grow up and get over yourself. You're not all that you think you are.
I have to agree with the person who talked about the white guys with the pot bellies, five o'clock shadow and bedhead hair. No one complains about that. If anyone did, they'd be laughing stocks. I'm a natural blond and don't particularly care for blond jokes but am not about to raise a stink about it. There are times to be sensitive and this is not one of them.
Finally some truth in advertising.
Let's get past all this PC BS. Liberal nuts and educated blacks are not doing anyone any favors on this. I agree it is somewhat offensive, but if things are ever going to get better for everyone, someone needs to say, see the mask that is being thrown away, you can't look like that and expect a good job. See the new clean cut guy, if you want a good job, you need to look more like that. We can't have it both ways. Feel free to condem the ad, but don't complain about unemployement. Not all, but a large portion of the Black American community (yes, if you were born in Africa, and live here, you are an African American) needs to improve in dress and basic manners. Pretty much what Mayor Nutter complained about, and Bill Cosby has been complaining about for years. How you act and look affects your ability to get a good job. The only people, of any race, that can look like the mask and succeed, are beyond brillant and creative. Everyone else has to suck it up and act and dress like your employeer or potential employer wants. The bottom line is this coddling has to stop. It's not helping anyone out, sometimes the hard truth is necessary, without people going to far. I compare it to fat America. It is why we have so many fat people, because its ok to be fat, unhealthy and disgusting. You are beautiful. Newsflash, you are not, and you are a drain on our healthcare system. It's ok to point out the obvious without everyone going nuts, or at least it should be. Unless you don't want to help some of these people. Let's get real, the first step in fixing a problem is admitting their is a problem. If you live anywhere near a major city, you know there is a problem.
I was just looking at some of their products on Amazon.com. NO DANMED WAY, Nivea. You are a sick racist company to let something like this make it all the way to print. You disgust me, exceedingly.
Dear black people,
Learn how to take a f#$*ing joke.
Love,
Everyone else who knows you've not suffered through any real oppression in the last 150 years.
Wow, you clearly need to pick up a history book and perhaps step outside the narrow window of the world you live in (Voting Rights Act 1965, basically the 15th amendment only applied to white people until then). You may not see racism or experience it in your daily life but it does affect many people every day. Think before you speak.
You are a little off base. It's been good the last 30 years, but the real issue is that the situation has gotten worse over the past 40 years as more money has been thrown at the problem. Real issue is Black parents are not raising their kids properly, and giving them the manners, behavior, and mastery of the English language that is required to succed in society. but just like this ad, if you adress the way a lot of urban folks speak, its racist, how dare you, is what the liberals say. Even though by saying it's ok, you barely qualify anyone to work at McDonald's. Good jobs, require good social behavior. Not all, but a lot of Black Americans have regressed as far as social behavior goes over the past 40 years. Kids raising kids, fatherless homes are the main reason for that, and nobody on the outside can fix that problem, unless you admit their is a problem, and that the problem isn't anyone else's fault. People like Jesse Jackson have dug poor Black Americans into such a huge hole over the past 30 years by saying it's not your fault, don't change anything, well change society to fit you, that they may never get out all the way. Most upper and middle class Black Americans don't even like being around poor blacks, that is why they move away as soon as they can.
From what real history books (not the ones that have been edited by people seeking political correctness) say, the Irish, American Indians and Jews have had it far worse than any black man has ever had it.
You kids need to stop whining. You've got it good and so does anyone who has lived in the past 150 years this world has been around.
You've not been through a holocaust.
You've not been through social ostracization like the Irish have.
You've not been invaded by a foreign force and forced off of your land, being promised something in return and denied it, so your family starves because of it.
Your own people sold your ancestors into slavery for their own gain. Sure, it's a foul on the whites for buying you, because no man should ever own another, but it's also a foul on your own people for doing what they did and still are doing.
I'm not saying there were mistakes, but why are Black Americans worse off now that they can vote, then before. I also agree that others have had it worse, the only difference is they have a strong sense of family and community pride. One could say IQ has something to do with it. Asian-Americans are the smartest people lin the US (avg IQ110) and Black Americans are the lowest (avg100). They have become so reliant on the government since 1965, that they don't have any motivation to improve themselves or their people. Again, this does not apply to all, but to a larger majority than any other ethnic group. LIberals suck, they won't make English the national language, so they are helping to turn Hispanics into the next black population. It doesn't do any good to tell people it's ok not to learn English. You are pretty much guaranteeing them terrible jobs. Jobs that our poor are too lazy to do, that is why we have illegal immigration problems.
A little off subject, but this is my response to all of those who used the "Kids raising kids" comment pertaining to some of the "problems" black people have. I just have these words for you, MTV's Teen Mom. Let me know the majority of the "moms" on that show.
Tom, it is ironic that you are lecturing black people about language skills and learning when your statement has so many grammatical errors I had to read it several times to understand what you are trying to convey.
Seriously.
If this had been an ad with some pretty white guy holding a picture or mask of himself with a scraggly beard and "natural" unkempt uncut greasy locks no one would have given it a thought.
But, because it's an ad with some pretty BLACK guy holding a picture or mask of himself with a scraggly beard and "natural" unkempt uncut greasy locks.... it's a racial slur.
Most of the time, I'm as PC as you can imaging, but some of you people are just too f'ing sensitive.
But some of us have been made sensitive due to being picked on about out afro-textured hair. Just like you learn in Advertising 101 that you don't put children in commercial for alcohol, you also as an AD agency have to take the time to learn what topics in your target group are sensitive and "don't go there" things. Hair the African Amercan community is a BIG issue, and if this agency were too incompetant to look into that and avoid this type of thing, then yeah they deserve the backlash. Like anything else advertising is a multi-million dollar business and you can't be successful if you don't take the time to learn about it.
Wendy. Are you f$&%ing kidding me. Awwwww. You got picked on in grade school?? How old are you now 15 and are still emotionally scarred enough to really say this is an insensitive racist ad?? Pathetic.
ok wendy. we can't put children in alcohol ads because children can't handle alcohol. for that reason we can't put blacks in humorous ads because blacks can't handle humor. is that what you are saying?
A clean-shaven black guy choosing not to sport an afro is not racist. THIS AD IS NOT RACIST.
As a young african american female who is currently sporting an afro I find this AD hurtful. What alot of people are missing is that I am CONSTANTLY being bomabarded with images such as this that suggest that my natural hair texture is somehow "inferior" to whites. In middle school I would get picked on by my fellow white students for having "nappy" hair, and so would the few other African American girls in my school, unless they confromed and relaxed their hair. So yes I think that this AD is being insensitve to experiences such as my own and others that I know.
Wendy, a word in your ear. We don't say "AD" any more. It's "CE" (for "Common [NB not 'Christian'] Era") now. Remember: BCE and CE (not BC and AD). OK? (Let's not spread the hurt. We're all senstive here, and not napping.)
I think the ad is great! Like everyone else, I am tired of seeing men of any color look like bums. Okay, our country is having a hard time now, but we can still look like men instead of . . . homeless bums.
Darkies just need to get a life, get off welfare, and stop killing each other in record numbers.
The little white guy comment are always the best.
To quote U.S. Presidential Candidate Herman Cain, "America, you need to get a sense of humor already!"
Seriously, have we become so unbelievably politically correct, that we cannot joke about anything anymore?! The outcry over the advertisement was ridiculous and totally misguided. No racism was at play.
Get a grip, already!!
well...i think it would REALLY be racist if the head was black and the civilized guy was white...but yah would it be ok if the head were a viking and the civilized guy a swede in a suit? still...pretty incompetent of an AD AGENCY not to have predicted this...or...did they?
Why couldn't he just have used the ice soap?
What wrong with the Afro now?
Ohh lord. Seriously. I'd like to meet one person who actually reads Esquire that thinks unkempt hair and beard doesn't look uncivilized. The ad has a target audience and I doubt any of them are complaining.
I think I'll have to go with Nivea on this one. I'm a black man and I have always disliked the unkempt look (long dreads, the long beards). In the work place, having a clean look matters a lot, no matter what race. The Ancient Romans shaved their faces, and waxed their skins, which they considered civil.
I wouldn't called the Ad racially controversial at all. Just my 2 cents
I understand that some people may be offended. But, I have to ask, would there be the same outcry if the model were a red-haired white male that was compared to a Viking or European Feudal Period male? I don't think so.
I racist ad when the person in the ad is an African American? Give me a break. I guess if that put a fat white trailer trash slob mask and white guy (or should I say Caucasian male in this politically correct age) it would be okay. People just can't wait to pull that race card out.
I actually feel great that I sent them a professional complaint through their website. Still won't be giving them anymore of my business, you know since I'm an uncivilized woman of color.
So you're saying you let your hair grow out and leave it unkempt and don't properly groom any of your other hair either? In that case, Nivea's products would do wonders for you. Heck, you might even finally get a date!
Obviously people are WAY too sensitive. Political Correctness is out of control. Leave it the way it is, Nivea.
What I don't understand is why is this so racist? If we were to make fun of a white person by giving them and unshaven face and long hair would that be racist? Colored people want exposure too and need some kind of humor with this atleast! Otherwise lets just face it...there is never going to have exposure if the racist card keeps getting dealt at every ad a colored person doesnt like.
I guess it's that one the internet, you can pretend to be anyone you want. That still doesn't make you "colored" (circa 1955).
What color are you, rainbow?
I think the person who wrote this article is racist. In fact, I think everyone is racist, including my black cat. Why does it have to be "black"?
I think everything in the world need to be devoid of color from now on. Forced color blindness for everyone!!
I don't think it's racist. But it is insensitive to those with beards and unkempt hair.
HA! Good one.
Agreed. Highly insensitive and prejudicial. There should be scholarships and hiring mandates for those who don't shave or cut their hair to make up for the persecution of all the caveman stereotypes.
It's OK to use whites to play cavemen or guys living under rocks on commercials, but heaven forbid they ever use another race.
I think it's totally fine. People are too sensitive.
If the ad were a white person, there would be no complaints. That double standard is the real racism, not the ad.
Equality means equality, not double standards and special treatment.
Buncha Jesse Jackson's on here. There are better things in the world to cry about besides some stupid ad in a publication. Who is keeping racism alive in this country again?? Makes me wonder why it won't die!!!!
Keep the slogan, just stick a white guy in the ad. The only people that can cry about that are chuck norris and the Geico caveman.
I think the person who wrote this article is racist. In fact, I think everyone is racist, including my black cat. Why does it have to be "black"?
I think everything in the world need to be devoid of color from now on. Forced color blindness for everyone!
Hey, that's colorist!
At any rate, this is free advertising for Nivea.
I'm white. If I didn't comb or cut my hair, I'd look uncivilized too. I have a ton of black friends and I'm not afrait to say this is utter BS. Get a sence of humor for god's sake! The PRESIDENT IS BLACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the president is biracial.
The president is black that means that there is no more racism. BS. This racist country would rather see the country go bankrupt than see President Obama have a susesful presidency. But it's too late. He has proven to be a better man and a susesful president in only 2 1/2 years in office.
As an African -American I would just like to know how many respondants to this commercial are equally upset at the Donald Trump produced TV program– the Ultimate Merger. I believe both have negative connotations; however, no one appears to be irate or upset about the negative images portrayed on this reality program as well as other reality programs that have high ratings. This is just something for you to think about.
I HATE it when black ppl use the race card, HOWEVER on this one I'd have to agree, it was tacky and I see why black ppl are upset over this!
Why did the black man in the ad agree to hold the head of a black man? Because black people are greedy and lack principles like the rest of us? Get over yourselves black people – don't you have _igger things to worry about?
Don't you have an underage cousin to get impregnate?
Oh, see, that doesn't feel good, does it?
Don't you have an underage cousin to impregnate?
Oh, see, that doesn't feel good, does it?
How could the ad be racist if it didn't ax a question?
ax – cute
Why are people trying so hard to be offended. I think its a pretty good ad.
sorry to be the bearer of obvious news –
Would white folk be upset if it was a long haired white dude with a 70s mustache? Would that be racist? Nope.
white people (even those with long hair and mustaches #stupidanalogy) have never been generalized as being uncivilized. So...you're right...they (white people) probably wouldn't find it racist. Perhaps a better approach for Nivea would have been to have the clean cut black guy throwing a white long hair unshaven face with the same caption. But I have a feeling that that would make you and/or some of your peers upset.
@ArcherIsMyName was first to post it http://lockerz.com/s/130486212
what the article fails to inform is that the "re-civilize yourself" is only featured on this particular ad (with the black guy) within a series of the "give a damn what you like" campaign ...other ads in the series which feature white people don't have the re-civilize yourself ...
Still not racist.
What happened to this country. EVERYTHING is racist to black people. But it's not racist for black people to constantly trash white people openly and on tv? yeah that seems fair. more one-sided thinking. Everyone needs to suck it up and stop with this era of sensitivity we live in. get over it.
CERTAIN black people*
Quit trying to back peddle, idiot.
These PCness is going crazy. Next thing they would be upset that a White Model is holding the mask of a Caveman (Wild Hair, Long Beard, etc.). The point of the Ad is show Tribal vs Modern. Every ethnic group have a Tribal Period. It just happens to be a black man, get over all. Not everything is about racism.
This is a very strange ad. I don't think that it's racist. But the concept seems poorly executed. I'm supposed to assume that this man has pulled a mask off his face, to reveal himself without all the scruff? But the "mask" actually looks like a head that the Taliban has cut off of some poor military contractor. Not only that, this guy is about to do a discus toss of his own scruffy head across the parking lot. And to top it off, the headline reads: "Re-civilize yourself". How did the ad agency pitch this to the client?
...in GERMAN.
If this was a white guy nobody would care. Let's not further the Political Correctness of this country due to the temper tantrums of hyper-sensative demagogues.
I am tired of companies that treat adults as if we don't have a brain. Commercials are getting ridiculous and its time for the companies to realize that we don't need STUPID commercials thrown at us!
I don't see any racism here. The guy in the ad obviously didn't have a problem with it.
Black people are just whiners. Just ignore them.
Too bad we couldn't ignore you when you just climbed over the border fence.
Grow up, all you race-screamers. This is not racism.
@SciGuy,
How do you know it's not racist?
Really?? Really?? Is it that serious? PEOPLE it's a freakin ad, get over yourself! Do we have to go through this every time we see a picture of Donald Trump with his jacked up hair? Does he represent all white people in a positive light? Quit whining and stop being so damn sensitive. This is EXACTLY why the divide keeps getting bigger and bigger.
For you idiots, the reason why the ad is quasi-racist is the historical racist association with the black male and a lack of civility. It was the reference that a certain type of black man is "[un]civilized" that was the problem...not the fact that it showed a black face/mask that needed a hair cut. As far as the caveman analogy...not compelling. I believe Geico was just making a historical reference and saying that their product isn't complicated. NOT white men that look a certain way are uncivilized. How do I know? B/c TODAY white people or any people for that matter don't dress like cavemen. That's why Geico's ad wasn't offensive to anyone. But some black males DO let their hair grow out. Those guys do not deserve to be labled as uncivilized because of it. But...I'm sure many of you already knew this and look for a reason to claim black people are oversensitive. You may think you're slick...but you're really part of the problem yourselves.
Amen.
I just want to point out that your Caveman analogy would be legitimate if Geico portrayed the cavemen dressed in skins and carrying clubs. They don't. They portray the cavemen dressed in modern, often stereotypically white "preppie" dress. Now, if you want to make the argument that noone should be offended because it reflects a historical aspect, blah, blah, blah, the same argument could be made for the black mask in the subject ad. Furthermore, just as some black men "go natural" and grow out the hair and beard that the mask depicts, some white men grow out their hair and beard, as Geico's cavemen depicts. Also, I can promise you that a white man with the unkempt, au natural look of the Geico cavemen would have just as much trouble being hired for a job as the unkempt, au natural look of the black man depicted by the mask in the picture. It looks ungroomed, and therefore, uncivilized. The real issue here isn't the color of the actor in the picture, it's the conformist mentality that prevents ANY of us from expressing ourselves in whichever way makes us happy, by not shaving and grooming, or otherwise. The fact is, noone alive today experienced slavery, people of all races experience some degree of racism (white people included), and some people milk any chance they can get to make a point or express their views for all that it's worth. I, for one, truly wish that black slavery in America had never occured. Had it not, we would likely not be having this conversation right now because people wouldn't be so racially sensative, and many of the people throwing the fit about this likely wouldn't be here. (Though I am quite sure that everyone would find some other issue to complain about)
much like a conspiracy theorist, people just see what they want to see. to look at this ad and immediately see something racist is perhaps more telling of your own insecurities rather than insensitivity on the part of Nivea. clearly this is an ad aimed at those who prefer a dapper lifestyle. ironically, i would venture a guess that Nivea hired an african-american model in order to showcase the diversity necessary to exist in an overly politically correct world-and not to promote some subversive racial intolerance that would expose them to such exaggerated scrutiny. it is my firm belief that "context" is the greatest casualty of the 21st century and we are all worse off as a result. lighten up people.
If it would have been a clean shaven White model, throwing a long haired, bearded, hippie White head, this is a non-story. While I can see while some people find it offensive, I have to think it's the people who are looking for something to be offended about. I'm a Black male and I seriously doubt Nivea intended to make any direct commentary on Black hair. I think it's a good thing that Nevia is progressive enough to use a Black model for their ads. On the one hand, Black people complain about the way we're portrayed in the media and the limited range of acting and modeling roles available, then when a Black guy gets a job like this, we complain that it's offensive. Guess Nivea will be switching back to White models.
I have to agree with you! Now this company will most likely get a white guy to do the new ad they will have to produce. Now Ain't that something. I hope all the people who are always claiming racist about nothing at all lokes this. I my self can now see why blacks do not have equal rights to some point ..they do not really want them. So now a white person will get the same job and there will be no complaints. All I can say is if blacks wants equal rights then take them and stop the racist crap!
Running over and killing an innocent man, who was black, by a teenager who laughed about it-RACIST and FULL OF HATE. A black man holding an afro-head–AN AD!! Seems pretty defined. However, I can see where some people who are passionate about their race and culture could be offended–as is their right to be. I have an idea, live and let live. If someone wants to be offended, that is their right–just like its a right not to be. The blogger who started this uproar spoke her mind. Good for her!! Why don't the unoffended speak their mind and start a blog. And here's a hoot–why don't both blogs actually respect each others opinion and civilly agree to disagree. Thank God for the freedoms we have–we could have pulled a bad hand and be living in North Korea, China or Myanmar, etc. People, we all live together and around each other. We all bleed red. Do we really need to add anymore hate to this world? Rodney was right–CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG. Heywood sez–its all about the love people–all about the love.
What a ridiculous idea. That will never work. Get off of your unicorn and grow up.
I think this is awful for blacks to complain or even say Nivea is racist. All Blacks want equal rights and I can agree with that my self. But when they get equal rights they scream Race, Or Racist. Now if a white person was in this ad certain blacks would not say a word about Nivea being racist now would they? If I was Nivea I'd do tha same ad over again and put a white person in the and call it over with. A white person would not say a thing about the ad being racist. I am not a racist by no means but always the black race is screaming racist about something or the other. SO just re do the ad and I'm sure you can find any white guy to do the same thing for you again. I can say the past is the past black history has nothing to do with all living today it is nor the whites fault around you it is the past and please leave it in the past and if you all want equal rights then start to do equal things and do not complain about it. There are wonderful black Doctors and lawyers and just business men and women who have equal rights and put their equal right to good use.
IWhat's sad is you don't even realize that your last sentence is so condescending.
You liberals need to get over your racism already. If this was a white guy in same position, nobody would say anything. But it's a black guy. And the little racist fibers in the liberals start cringing when they see it so they cry and moan about it. Grow up lefties, get over yourselves, and get over your racist ways.
Just another beautiful advertisement the leftists ruined with their minds in the racist gutter. Yet they still walk around smug calling others racists. Disgusting.
More hyper-sensitive idiots finding racism where racism doesn't exist. Educate yourselves and maybe you'll realize that the world isn't out to get you.
@GenXorcist: Possitive? Time for REAL men of color to stop trying to DISPLAY a "possitive" representation and become real men. Men of Responsibility and Men who Respect others as they want to be Respected. YOU CAN'T DEMAND RESPECT....IT HAS TO BE EARNED. START BY BEING A LEADER FOR YOUR RACE AND WORK ON ELIMINATING ALL THE HISTORIC ASSUMPTIONS. YOU CAN'T EXPECT EVERYONE TO BEND TO EVERY LAME WHIM BLACK AMERICA HAS . GROW UP AND SHOW US YOU ARE SERIOUS. ACTIONS MAN, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
Sure, but words can be cast carelessly from the comfort of your comfy chair whilst dipping into a large box of Twinkies. Actions require you to be so, well, active. Too much effort when people can use the internet to make themsleves feel involved and important at no personal cost.
Actually, Respect is SUPPOSED to be given out, not earned: Show proper respect to everyone (1 Peter 2:17).
The idea is that the dude got a haircut and shaved his beard. So whatl? There are just far too many spring-loaded race nannies on the job, scanning every meaningless twitch of the media in search of the next over-inflated scandal. The sad irony is that they only succeed in perpetuatting the very notions of racism they claim to be defending against. Was the model depicted in shackles with a bone thrust through his nose? Does anyone really believe he didn't volunteer to be photographed? And guess what? When a black man lets his hair grow out it will naturally become an afro. Duh. When I let my own hair and beard grow unchecked I like to joke that I'm going for that "raised by wolves" look. And I'm white. See how that works? So lighten the f!ck up already...
Offensensitivity.
I'm a black man and my son looks just like that mask and wears his jeans down around his knees with his underwear hanging out and I think it's just fine. J/K I'm white and if my son wore his pants like that I'd have him sterilized.
Sometimes people do things that make you say "What was they thinking ?"
Oops!!!
GEICO (I think it was) has ran their obviously white-guy caveman ads for years and I've never heard one single complaint. So, to our black friends, settle down and quit being so sensitive to every little thing. I hope you realize that to everybody else, when you get all upset over stuff like this, it makes you look like those screaming, fit throwing, bratty kids in a grocery store I'm always seeing (and shaking my head at). Grow up. Another thing; if I was going to launch an ad campaign, why would I use a black model? And risk this kind of nonsense?
A very well made point. And do you know why? Because this guy applied reason instead of instilling his own personal biases.
You are so stupid.
It appears on page 50 as an advert in the 9/2011 issue of Esquire (magazine). There is nothing wrong with that add, and if you go through the entire magazine, you'll see that image applies to ALL males. It had nothing to do with race at all. And to be honest, if you look at men of Black Africa, and most men in Black America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, you'll see clean-cut men just like the model in the add. Few Black men walk around looking like that mask, and if you do, then I agree – re-civilize yourself. If the model had a spear, okay, then I'd agree it were racist.
Upon closer examination I've come to this conclusion – its the word.
"Re-civilize" suggests tribal, third world, actual African tribesman stereotypes.
If the art directors, marketing team would of used say a word like "RE-INVENT" instead OF RE-CIVILIZE we would be here wasting our precious time arguing, trying to change the world with comments in comment boxes.
Nivea needs to hire more intelligent people, that is all.
Thank you! I wear a fro. Is my hair un-civilized? No. I happen to think it's fluffy and beautiful. However, the ad is not racist. They just used the wrong word is all. Maybe they should have used something like, "Tired of your fro?" or some other phrase. BTW, not all black people wearing afros or dreads are thugs. Some blacks are thugs as are some whites. You people need to get out of your little boxes and stop watching so much tv. I happen to know a some white people who are on welfare and food stamps. Sometimes money from a job isn't enough to pay the bills. Some people are lazy and taking advantage of the system in all races. With the percentage of blacks in this country, you would think people would realize we aren't the only ones using government handouts.
No, I don't have kids by different men. Yes, my job pays the bills without government handouts. Yes, I pay a butt load of taxes.
Some of you need to get off your high horse and realize some people need help. Yes, some people abuse the system, but they are not all black. I'm happy that the US has something in place to help people put food on the table. Should children go hungry because their parents are irresponsible? It does upset me that some people are lazy and just will not work. However, I think about the children in the situation. They are here. It does not matter how they got here. It does not matter if their mother have 10 baby daddies. The children are here, and they need to eat. I don't mind my tax dollars going to feed these children. What you really should be worrying about are the tax breaks for the weathly. They can afford to give a little more. But there's this thing called greed...
Well, I guess that was a little off topic. Some of the comments are upsetting.
if it was a photo of a clean cut white guy throwing the head of a shaggy bearded hippy, nobody would care, they would simply get the message "cut your hair and shave"....why though , because the guy is black it is automatically racist. Grow up people, stop being so sensitive.
I think it is racist to say that the ad is racist. You are trying to say black men can not look professional and sophisicated. What if this same ad had a scruffy looking white head being thrown?? this reminds me of the debate in the NBA when some players claimed they were being discrimnated against their culture by not being allowed to wear baggy jeans.
Okay, I'm getting tired of all this, "The Black Man needs to be looked at differently!!!" racism stuff. YOU are not a slave. YOU are free to do WHATEVER a white man can do, got it? Shesh people. Shut up and actually look around. No one is whipping you or making you work on their cotton farms. That was your GREAT grandpa/grandma and it wasn't completely the white man's fault. Did you forget who sold the African people to the white folk? Hm? Yeah, BLACK MEN. Those of you shouting, "We need to be looked at like the white man!!" Why?! Don't you get it? You wanna change your image? Then CHANGE YOUR IMAGE. Stop lining yourself up with people that DO look uncivilized (whether it's a white, asian, black, red, orange or disco colored person).
Shesh.... All the people in America are FREE and are JUSTIFIED or do you not remember how many people died in the Civil War?
I'm a white guy and I think seeing 5 black guys in whiteface and impersonating the Osmonds would be hilarious. But whenever a white applies blackface then all hell breaks loose. In other words, we will NEVER rid ourselves of racial tension as long as someone screams "racist" at the drop of a hat. By the way, "racist" means the belief in the superiority of one race over another. It's got nothing to do with "discrimination" which is what everybody means when they scream "racist". So the people who scream racist don't even know what they are talking about.
Part of why it would be so funny is that the Osmonds tried so hard to be the white man's Jackson Five – and failed miseraby with some of the most Godawful songs. I'd laugh – unless I thought I could shout racism and sue somebody for a lot of money.
This ad is not racist. It's out of touch with what 'civilized' looks like, but it's not racist. I know plenty of people of various ethnicities who consider long hair/facial hair to be an attractive look for today.
Guess this is a situation where diversity is not welcome. It should have been a white model and we know it wouldn't have been taken the same way. Racism will never go away, because many minorities won't let it. It's too much of an advantage.
Had the guy been white, THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A WORD SAID!!! You can villanize anybody as long as they are NOT black! Blacks whine about everything and continue to whine about their station in life. HELLO, ALL OF YOU BLACKS OUT THERE, YOU WERE SOLD INTO SLAVERY BY YOUR OWN PEOPLE, STOP BLAMING THE WHITE RACE!!! I AM SICK TO DEATH OF BEING BLAMED FOR SOMETHING THEIR OWN PEOPLE DID TO THEM OVER 400 YEARS AGO!!! GET OVER YOURSELVES, GO TO SCHOOL, STOP HAVING THREE OR FOUR CHILDREN BY TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT MEN, GET A JOB AND STOP BEING A BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS!!!
omg – I think the ad is funny – I've seen a similar one on TV......jeez I didnt know black was so sensitive – lighten up dorks!
these companies should know by now that if you are going to run an add that may draw heat, you better use a white guy!!
A white man with a beard and uncut hair would not be perceived in the same way. I don't see people walking past "unkempt" white people telling them they need to be "civilized." This is a historical aspect of discrimination, because for years black people have been compared being animals, and not being human and this ad is reinforcing those racist notions. White people need to stfu about black people "complaining" everywhere I go white people have a damn opinion about everything. As soon as black people say something we are attacked for being paranoid, too emotional, lacking a sense of humor, angry. Oh well I am going to say something and I am proud that this young man put Nivea out there for their stupid ad.
....wow sensitive......are you menstrating?!
Wow, what a whiner. If a white man in the same scenario would not have been perceived in the same way, then it's the people and their perceptions that are truly guilty of racism here. Maybe people should look at the ad with an ounce of reason. Does a company in the business of selling products to make money want to alienate its customers and be perceived as racist? Clearly they don't. So clearly racism was not a component of this ad until the reverse racists made it one.
"A white man with a beard and uncut hair would not be perceived in the same way"
WRONG..... It would have been preceive the exactly the way it was supposed to..... by everyone except you....see you are looking to start an issue. You are trying to find things that can intentionally be misinterpreted to use in your favor. Grow up already.
"A white man with a beard and uncut hair would not be perceived in the same way." This is all you really need to know.
I'm more disappointed at the ignorance in the comments/posts than the misinterpretation of the ads. God have mercy...
Yep. That's the real sad part. One side is tired of the the outcries of "racist", therefore dismissive. The other side is tired of being dismissed and the wounds are still raw. This country has a long way to go. People just don't realize that 200 years is just not enough time to forget. Especially since it was only 40 years ago that everyone was finally allowed to use the same public facilities...legally.
Nivea, not being an American company, didn't realize that in USA you can do that ad showing a white guy mask with beard and long hair but u can't with blacks...2 sets of standards in USA. Ridiculous!
The model in the ad re-civilized himself. What's the big deal.
If it's so racist, why did the black model agree to do the ad? Seems he didn't think it was racist.
We will be post-racial when this kind of thing no longer offends.
...and that will NEVER HAPPEN
It's everywhere!!! In the workforce, sports, business, politics and now in advertising as well. It truly frustrates me that people of color are always up in arms about something new. There is reverse discrimination everywhere. They want to become politicians "change" comes with Obama, his ratings nearly dip more than 60% 2+ years later. Why? because his voters, the ones that never cared who was in charge before, got their butts to the booth because (no mystery here) there candidate was black. They had no care about politics before but they saw the opportunity to "take over" and they jumped on it. Sports - can't even go there. How many African American athletes are committing criminal acts every week? Let alone, how many are repeat offenders? I don't even have to mention names, it goes on and on. Business - let's look at BET (Black Entertainment Television). Heaven forbid that someone started a network called WET or something of the sort. All we would hear is "that's racist, that's why we are still facing oppression." It's ludicrous, no pun intended, but this has to stop. A simple ad was taken out of context. Not the first time. Take Kat Williams, Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy for instance. They make white jokes all the time. So what? I still watch them, they are hilarious! Comedy is about laughter, poking fun and being a little controversial. So what happens? Don Imus calls a few black female athletes "nappy headed" during a morning radio entertainment talk show. Oh no! What a travesty!! Let's publicly humiliate him and single-handedly destroy his ratings and threaten to have him fired. The list goes on and on my friends. Racism is ever-present, but articles and arguments such as these strengthen it. Don't you all see? When we start arguing that certain things in media, business and politics are just based on product and not the color of skin, then we will have officially defeated racism. Otherwise, the more we make everything about offending certain races of people, the more people will continue to poke and prod. I use the example of talking to a child. When you tell a child not to do something specific they'll be more inclined to do it. But when you tell them to do something else and not mention what you're steering them away from, they will forget about what you don't want them to do and focus on what you asked to be done. Nuff said. Grow up people! Our country is in economic shambles and we are worried about a Nivea Ad. Seriously!
I feel like the term reverse racism/discrimination is racist in itself...if its racist its racist...regardless of who is racist against who...
but I do feel like this ad was taken out of context...all I see when I look at the ad is just a businessman who got a haircut/shaved for work...Regardless of what race the model was that is what I would see...now if they had an african american who was dressed in a suit dragging behind him himself with sagging pants and a huge shirt with all kinds of jewelry and the ad said "Re-civilize yourself" then I would completely understand the outrage that this ad has created...but the fact is that in a business environment a male with long hair and an unkempt beard is usually frowned upon...which is the point I think they were trying to make..
but again this is just my opinion and if anybody has any comments saying I don't know about how it is etc etc I am Indian(from India)..we get made fun of all the time...
Nivea I think meant no harm, and their cultural sensitivity is probably based on stereotypical perceptions of African-Americans which, that mask sort of suggests.
Looks like that ?estion mark dude from The Roots, the drummer, by the way.
I didn't make out the mask thing in that awful photo, but now that I see it, it is very stupid mistake.
Although, the African male model is very clean cut... I'd hire him. I think any image of an African American or African-(country) male NOT being a thug, etc. is a fantastic image to push, the mask doesn't represent a thug image but rather just another form of doing up African hair, its just another cultural look and isn't really negative. Its not a negative look is what I'm saying.
Nivea is Naive to think the rest of the world would actually look at that in the same more free way of looking at it.
At least Nivea didn't have a white guy holding the mask of an African male, now THAT would be really, really awful.
And did Nivea do this ad? Many companies hire outside advert content creators who are hip with current youth-culture trends and such. Ultimately though a company that hires such content creators are responsible for their allowing ads like this to fly. Could be a case of two wrongs.
I think there are cultural differences in perception and what is allowable and Nivea needs to rethink the variations of people it may offend, question them before they release something stupid like this.
People really get bent out of shape over nothing.
That's how they get themselves all self-righeously worked up so they can feel good about themselves even though they aren't really doing anything to make the world a better place.
Well the african american whose face is in the ad didn't seem to mind it. So I guess he's racist.
Good point. All of you PC whinres should attack this actor/model and call him out for his obvious racism and Uncle Tom foolery. No takers? Hypocrites.
Wow, everyone so over reacts these days. Every one is a drama queen, politically correctness run amok. Some things are just funny, no racist BS involved. Look for humor and stop being haters. Wow there isn't a cure for stupid so stop acting that way and just deal.
Oh pleeaaase give me a break. These days you can't even breath without being accused of being racist. Enough already and get a life. We have a black president which means we are (majority) over the Black and White issues but you go on and accuse a" lotion" company of being racist? Now that is plain ignorant and does not deserve any aknowlgment.
Haha, that ad is so true. I can't help but roll my eyes when I see a big afro or corn rows with the pants down past the butt. This ad hits the nail right on the head, they need to re-civilize themselves.
Black people are still not over slavery?
And Jews are still not over the holocaust.....
There would be no outcry whatsoever if this was a bedraggled while man, you can be sure. Over-sensitivity wins again.
I hate to find myself being the one to take this angle, but if this had been a white man no one would have said a word. People are always looking for some angle to infer things from that allows them to put their cause out there. That's the PC (Perfectly Craptacular) world we now live in. Anyone without a dog in the race, so to speak, would not have read anything negative into that ad.
The problem with all of you who say that is the races were reversed it wouldn't be an issue completely miss the point: the fact of the matter is that they did NOT use a white person. I always hear this comment from the Causcasian community, but do you realize that "they" NEVER use white persons in these ads? The fact tha it nevers happens with white males lets you know that the creators are, at best, insensitive and uncultured, and at worst, complete bigots. Now, what I start seeing a plethora of ads that compare white men to apes, suggest that white men are less civilzed due to appearance or hygiene issues, suggesting that white men shouldn't be desired unless they've been cleansed with specialized male gentalia cleaners, suggesting to women that white men shouldn't be considered desireable unless they are pale and rail thin, etc., THEN (and only THEN) will your comments be acceptable. Always easy for the oppressor to tell his oppressed that she/he should not be angry that they are oppressed! The aloofness of certain segments of the American population never ceases to amaze me. Try ACTUALLY thinking for a change people!
Take it down a notch or two and get your panties out of a bunch. If this really is an issue to you, do something proactive to help change peoples' minds on race instead of being reactive while sitting in your chair doing jack crap 🙂
Cali,
What sad bigotted drivel you spew.... I would use the phrase "Look who is calling the kettle black", but I guess that would be deemed racist as not all kettle are black.
99% of adds make whit males look like idiots so get off your high horse. I am sure you have seen the add with the three white nerds playing with their smartphones....while the highly professional "female" and "Af-Am" boss looks on with displeasure (nice use of a double monority there)
Are you going to dare tell me they didnt make the whit guys look like idiots because they knew it would be safe
? Are you also going to tell me they didn't make the boss a black woman intentionally?
Last I checked the cavemen in the insurance commericals were pretty darned white. OOPS! Looks like your theory just went the way of the dinosaurs! That's right, evolution never happened and the dinosaur bones are just an atheist conspiracy.
News Flash. Ones attention to self-grooming, cleanliness and clean closes DOES display a level of civility. If you go around without grooming and lack a sense of hygiene, then you WILL be perceived as less than civil.
Wake up you twit.
This is amazing, out of the millions of ads with white people in them you have never seen an ad portraying somebody thats white in a negative light? You are hopeless. Remember the award winning "I'm a Mac" ads? Which had the SAME message as this ad (cool vs uncool)? Remember how many white people said it was racist to say white people are nerds? No? Thats because nobody said that even though the "white nerd" is an actual racial stereotype among the black community. Remember when everyone said it was racist to portray George Bush as a chimpanzee in countless parodies? No? Thats becuse nobody said that. And ironically white men are not to be desired unless they are DARK and tanned, there are a hell of a lot more black models than freckled pasty white irish. You are the one that needs to open your eyes.
I'd like to hear your opinion of the model who is posing in this ad. Do you think he's offended by his work? I'm sure if you asked him, he'd probably see no issue with it. Maybe you should chastise him for portraying the black community in a negative light, because that makes just as much sense as screaming racism.
Oh Waa waa waa, go figure, another black person whining. People like you get on my nerves, you throw a fit because they used a black person in the ad, you're the same person that would throw a temper tantrum if they never used a black person. You people just can't be pleased, here's an idea, if you think its so bad here, take your black @ss and move out of this country. I'm sure the majority of the country would agree that we are all sick and tired of you people's never ending whining and complaining about how horrible you have it. No matter what happens in the world, one of you somewhere is going to complain that it happened because you are black. You want to know why there is racism in this country? People like you that keep going and going, you push the rest of the country so far that we begin to despise you. You're digging your own grave. And your statement about white men never being used in ads like that, obviously you only pay attention to things you can complain about, because I'm sure I've seen more commercials and ads making white people look stupid than I have black people, but you know why that is? Because of people like you that will blow it out of proportion and act like it was "purposely done" to be directed at you and offend you. Its pathetic that the rest of the country has to walk on eggshells for people like you. Here's the bottom line, you want us to stop generalizing all blacks as trash? Wear a belt with your pants, buy clothes that fit you, drop the retarded hair styles, get rid of those nasty nails, stop robbing places, stop being the main people involved in crime in America and try to drop the "gangsta" slang that you think makes you sound so cool (The rest of us just think you sound ignorant, which further pushes us to believe you are less intelligent), stop having a million babies with a million different men, get a d@mn job for a change and do something other than feeding on my tax dollars, lstop blaming every small thing that happens in the world on you being black. You're image is based on what we see, trash, don't like it, change it. Until then, shut your mouth, none of us care to hear your never-ending complaining about how everything is because you're darker than us. You have your own channels on tv, your own federal and state funding, your own college scholarships, your own organizations, and you practically own the welfare system, so get off the pity party because the rest of us have to work for what we have, we don't just get it handed to us because some family member 200 years ago was a slave. Sorry, blacks sold blacks to us, we didn't just go pick you up, so if you want to have a problem with someone, have a problem with blacks. Try sitting in a classroom and learning something for a change. Good lord people like you get on my nerves.
Fight racism all you want, but you can't do a damn thing about thin-skinned people....
Amen, brother. It's a fact that a common symptom of PCism is a thinning of the figurative skin.
Aren't people tired of the race card getting played at every opportunity?
Are Jews tired of the anti-semitic card being played? Are gays tired of the I hate gays card being played?
I agree with me. If he had been white with long hair and a beard, nobody would complain.
It is genuinely hilarious to read comments from the people that do the discriminating, telling the people that get discriminated against, exactly where the lines should be. Spoken of with vast experience, no doubt.
The line should be where intent takes over and foolish PC inferences still run rampant over our ability to express ourselves without fear. If people are reading things into the ad that were clearly not intended, and let's face it, there's no way Nivea intended that to be racist if they want to make money, then the only discrimination is from those inferring racism from this ad and pointlessly making this into a race issue.
This ad isn't racist. They could have used any ethnicity to get the point across. Of course, the catch 22 for companies is they get called racist for an ad like this, while trying to maintain diversity in actors, and they get called racist for not being diverse enough with their actors. Which way do you want it?
Clearly they want it "their" way, even though their way can change direction like the wind and is completely unfounded.
I really prefer the Shemar Moore look myself.....
GenXorcist wants positive exposure. Should I take that to mean the exposure Blacks show when wearing their pants hanging way down? A solution for Nivea – don't use any more blacks in your ads.
How is holding a picture of an unkempt man (white or B lack) and then showing a well groomed man racist. Its a grooming product people! Do you think there would be an outcry if it were a white man hold a burly picture of himself with wild hair and beard as being offensive, No!. I mean come on, quit taking yoursleves so seriously. Sounds like some people have a self esteem problem
I don't think it's so much the picture as it is the wording that goes along with this ad. As someone stated before there is another ad with a white person HOWEVER the wording is totally different. I think if the phrase of the words would have been better the ad wouldn't have been perceived as being racist. Using a decapitated head or mask or whatever it is, is obviously their way of trying to get attention. If they would have used the same wordage for all of their ads then I'd say oh ok, but they didn't, and I think that, that is what people are more upset about.
Ok, I don't think they intended the ad to come off that way, but at the same time, kinda surprised nobody noticed that might be offensive.
This is another example of what inclusiveness would have prevented. I'd like to see a picture of the advertising decision makers at Nivea. I suspect it would explain a lot.
Yes, suggesting that someone get a haircut, shave their beard, and buy Nivea's products should clearly be construed as offensive. What were those awful racists thinking!?! /sarcasm
I didn't say they were racist, I just said I'm surprised nobody noticed that it could easily be considered racist. Nivea can say whatever they want, racist or not, but it would be in their best interest, business-wise to be aware of advertisements that might turn off some of their customers.
It seems like there are a lot of angry white guys being offended black guys being angry. No one can determine what other people are going to be offended by. As evidence I submit this thread of angry white guys being offended black guys being angry.
This poster HAS to be black. Incoherent sentences.
Make him white, give him a mullet and beard, and nobody would have complained. And that, of course, is racist, too.
Not quite. Nothing about a white man with a mullet or beard screams uncivilized. It may scream redneck (which can be viewed as racist), but it may scream biker, blue collar guy, country music lover, musician ... doesn't scream uncivilized beast, slave, etc.
If you see a black man with an unshaved beard and a nappy afro, what pops in your head ... as a matter of fact, what would you do? What would a single white female do if their paths were about to cross on an empty street?
If you see a white man with a mullet and a beard about to cross the street the same time as you ... or again a single white female ... would she grab her purse? Would she get nervous? Would she even look twice? First reaction may be unattractive instead of scared.
It's completely different my friend.
Seriously people. Grow up. There is no winning in a fight that makes no sense. If African Americans were forbidden to be used in advertising then perhaps there would be an issue. Pretty soon we won't be able to flush anything brown down the toilet. Someone out there will say if it was white we wouldn't be disposing of it.
Isn't there anything that doesn't offend at least one person somewhere? PC is destroying this country. Calm down people and relax, it's just a magazine ad.
Howdy-do, theah, cunnel Sandahs. Ol' Cunnel Rehb, repawtin' faw doooty, Sah. Mah sin-seerist complah-mints, Sah. Wish't we wahd'ah had ah pickt ahr own dam cawton, Sah.
Not sure it was intentionally racist, more like poorly conceived.
seems to me if it was a white guy with a unibomber looking mask no one would think anything of it. so either we exclude any minority that could be offended from ad campaigns or people learn to be less paranoid and sensitive. it's too easy to drawn conclusions when you're LOOKING for something to scream about.
Most people who bomb are White males... So what is your point?
As a very smart American (African American) said ... STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!
Which African country were you born in? If not, you always were just plain ol' American.
No matter what you do, angry white people are always going to downplay the concerns of people not just like them...even other white people.
uhhmmmm....it seems the angry people here are not white......
yep. as long as whiny whites get there way, as evident throughout history of colonizations,genocide, wars, "settlers", slavery, et. all, they're happy. their white privilege is a delusion, a faux superiority complex.
@ektx .... If white people are not superior, why have they been running things for the last 5,000 years?
White people are not angry ... they are RIGHT!
I saw this ad and I thought it was great. People need to get a sense of humor....
Who cares what blacks think anyway?
@Fiona,
Do you get out much, and by out I mean, out to other countries such as Germany etc? Germany is just as diverse and differentiated on the color spectrum as the US. The ads and campaigns from countries such as these predominantly 'white' countries are more diverse and unsegregated than ones they make for the states. Maybe you should work on these 'equal opportunity values' yourself and take a trip.
The US companys might show more diversity if they did't have to worry about how they would be over scrutinized at every avalible chance
It was an ad for crying out loud! A bad idea in this overly PC world? Sounds like....
Had it been a white guy holding a picture of his old long-haired, unwashed, hippy self would the reaction have been the same? Some folks really need to get over them selves.. personally I have more important things to dwell on.
The voice of sanity. Thank you, Sir!
Agreed.
There IS an ad with a caucasian male holding a face with a long shaggy beard. It says "Sin city isn't an excuse to look like hell". Nothing about needing to "look like you give a damn" or be "re-civilized."
PC crowd has to step in and make sure the blacks are not being portrayed as uncivilized....now back to Flash Mob Riot article.
Damn... she (or her mama) can't even spell september... but I'll be damned if they can't spot a racist idiology in a simple advertisement... that's the problem with the world today... you can see anything you want to see, and 2 plu 2 doesn't always equal 4.
and pardon the typo (key stuck), should have read 2 PLUS 2 doesn't always equal 4.
That's what you get for trying to ding another's spelling or grammar. It's karma. b******!
Septembre is actually the French spelling of September...
They were just going for "groomed vs. ungroomed."
To make it a racial statement is a knee-jerk reaction.
Now Nivea has learned: don't put blacks in your ads.
AMEN!!!
Exactly, Joe. I think Nivea's downfall in this situation was the fact that they were actually trying to be diverse by putting a black man in their ad in the first place. In doing so, they unwittingly invited this controversy because in trying to depict what the guy would look like if he didn't shave or cut his hair in order to be clean cut and "civilized," they triggered people's reaction to what they erroneously perceive to be "racist."
I agree. Just don't hire anyone from the groups that whine about everything as racist, and you are good to go.
I honestly am suprized that there are not racism cries about Hanes using Jordan to sell cotton shirts and underwear...I mean first their ancestors had to pick it, now they have to sell it...oh the humanity...
And if it were a white man throwing a cave man mask (ie Geico) no one would even care. Give me a break!
what is it you would like broken happy to accomodate you
Is that a Randy Moss mask?
They should have made the decapitated head an African tribesman with a bone sticking through his nose.
That would definitely have lent more weight to the racism claims. It also would have been completely screwed up.
"TRUTH"...I bet it gets pretty lonely in that little ignorant world of yours. Let me guess, you are an well educated (home schooled you local KKK chapter) FULL blooded Caucasian (Indian probably in your blood somewhere down the line), with ample land and a paid for luxury home (double-wide trailer in a rent spot at your local RV community) and you have a high paying job which gives you the privilege of looking down on others (drug dealer). Oh how I envy your life and intelligence!
and we envy that crystal ball of yours, to know anything about this person. How judgmental of you to be so nasty to someone that you consider judgmental... see the hypocritical here? Probably not.......
hahahaha now why is anyone offended by this don't be so sensitive right that is what you are telling the African Americans on this thread so don't be so sensitive it is a joke right.
lulz just realized that i said the same thing as jeff pretty much, i hear ya friend
people take things way too far, if it was a white guy with long shaggy hair and a beard no one would thing anything of it. stop being babies just because one little add has a black guy with an afro, african americans tend to have afros if they let there hair grow out, its not racist or a stereotype its an observation of anatomy
If it was a white guy, he would have been considered "too boring" unless they could portay him as being whimpy and emasculated.
I'm a white female, and I couldn't agree more with Nivea, when my hair is NATURAL and I am UNSHAVEN, I really feel uncivilized. Ads depicting ethnic people are directed TOWARDS them, not against them. I wish black people would get over themselves and look for the positive in our society.....
I didn't see how this ad might be deemed racist until this article told me it was. Doesn't that imply that those whining are racist themselves for thinking such nonsense?
Chad, because you didnt think this is racist doesnt mean its not . It just means that you are conditioned by a racist society to be ok with the idea that blacks with natural hair are unkempt and uncivilized. Think bout it .
Implies you ain't too swift.
and just because the ones always looking for trouble think it is, doesn't mean it is....
In general an intelligent, hardworking, ambitious, busty, blond female knows more about discrimination than most blacks do....
As someone already mentioned, most black women wear weaves or relax their hair. Are they racist too? What about businesses that develop and sell products that relax black hair? All racists? It seems like most people agree that the company wasn't intending anything about the ad to be racist. It was a clean cut guy throwing a scruffy guy's image away. Most people also seem to agree that there is nothing racially offensive about a white guy doing the same thing. So how can this be "racist" (i.e., discriminating based on race) if the company wasn't trying to make a statement against blacks and could just as easily switched to a white model with no issue?
I think I was more offended about the apparent message that going natural and having a beard was somehow uncivilized. I didn't pick up on the racial aspect of it.
I guess I saw it more as advocating assimilation as the proper way for one to be civilized and dissing individual, natural expression.
I, wholeheartedly, agree
Whatever. if they showed a clean cut white guy with a dreaded, dirty hippie mask this wouldn't have even created a ripple. People mighta thought it was funny.
People really need to stop reacting to things as racist for the sake of calling something racist. Lets stop being so sensitive and quick to mis-construe as a culture and THEN we'll finally get past all the racial BS. Its hard enough when society is forced to walk on eggshells for events most of us (black and white) weren't around for or didn't effect us.
MOVE ON!
Amen.
Absolutely agreed and I am as far left as I can go! The fact is I am T-I-R-E-D of having to deal with the effects of crying wolf. When there actually IS an incident that reeks of TRUE RACISM – there are always people there to say "yeah right, you're too sensitive, race card blah blah blah" and it eliminates the ability to point it out and have any true effect when it is REALLY there. When you cry out racism at every little blip, you are doing no favors to our society.
totally right
Exactly.
Ad was done in poor taste. Shame on Nivea !
your all babies.. Im so glad im from the country and in my town we all get along. you city people all just want attention.. makes me sick
I think they were makign fun of the flash mobs who steal stuff.
If the flash mobs keep it up just know we are watching.
Then try doing something positive...
Unbelievable that blacks are overreacting (again) to this ad. Everything is now "racist." The good thing about all these frivilous claims of prejudice is that it takes away the power of the word. Since all non-blacks are racist (or will be called such if you have not been), Nivea is in good company.
hahahaha you are just ignorant if you think the black community cares what you think, you don't decide for us what is correct about our hair or color or anything to do with us, so shut up already
wow, you are so stupid.
Tells us plenty about you that you call this a good thing. It is not a good thing. At all. Unless you believe that true racism is completely nonexistant, it is NOT good that the ability to condemn it where it still exists is being rendered impossible. And what you will see as wolf is cried more and more, is that true racism will start showing up more in those who now feel less scorn because there's always someone there to say any claim of racism is overreaction and hypersensitivity.
Phaz, if the black community didn't care, then why does this article (and therefore this conversation) exist?
not surprised by your answer. Once again the whites, who wrote the book on racism doesn't want anyone else reading it.
Is this one of a series of ads branding Niviea as an essential part of civilizing men? If so then they have an easy out.
It might have helped their cause if just instead of a black man throwing the head of another man [himself] with an Afro he was wearing a caveman suit with a buxom blonde thrown over his shoulder only later to emerge properly groomed with the babe on his arm in an evening gown.
For those of you who cry out racism toward this ad...Welcome to being racists
Yeah she. Eery!
If this person was anyone besides an African-American, we wouldn't hear anything about it. In fact, people would get a good chuckle out of it...as they should with this ad. Chalk it up to over-sensitivity.
yes and your many years of beind discrimnated against makes you an expert, oh please get out of your mom's basement and reconnect with the world
I think you're right. The thin-skinned have abandoned 'equality' and are shooting for 'superior treatment'.
Wow, it's Captain Obvious. OF course it wouldn't be racist if it wasn't a picture of a black guy. The Pope's Catholic too.
But it's not a white guy/ grunged. Wearing your hair natural is not uncivilized and the ad makes it appear that it is. And obviously you think so. so check your hidden prejudices yourself.
Why are you calling it "wearing your hair natural"? What's unnatural about the guy with the short hair? The difference is a shorter haircut and a beard that doesn't look so unruly. It's not like they dyed his hair blond & gave him blue contacts. Stop looking for racism where there isn't any. If you feel so passionate about it, concentrate on real racial issues instead of an ad that wasn't racist to begin with.
People really need to get better things to do with there time then tweet about feking magazine ads... I mean really... If they want to place ads like that in a mag, let them. Just flip to the next page and keep looking. Too many whiners out there nowadays....
OMG, do you actually not know the difference between "there" and "their"? What a total moron!
Right-on Kreg: if you flip to the next page you ignore the product and the message: all this controversy has generated more attention to the ad, to name of Ni-a, helped the product, and the ad agency, make N-a a household brand-name....To be so provoked by this inane ad, is doing a market survey for the ad company's next foray into another group: living well, and at peace with ones own self image, is the best revenge.
whoa whoa! you better watch what you writing, someone might thing you mean the man not the cream by n-a
great minds rob..
YAAAAAAAY Portalpunk ! sometimes they make me work some at work too. it just doesnt seem right, i think.
Gee, people expect you to work at work now and then? Let me guess, you're American. I really can't imagine why our country's going the wrong way....
If it had been a white kid doing the grunge thing no one would have said a word.. same tag line.. hispanic, asian.. no one would have said a word..
Agreed, what's "racist" is the response to this ad. When I look at it I didn't see race at all, I saw a guy with a scruffy mask and I couldn't understand what the issue was until they pointed out he was African American. Honestly if you call this racist then you must be seeing race, and not just a human being.
You are absolutely right...no one would say anything if that wasn't a black man holding onto a black head with an afro because it does not mean the same–Wake up and join the real world Black People(African Americans) are Not the same as whites(Caucasians) or any other race for that matter and obviously because of simply minded people...hint.. we are still dealing with ignorance and racism in 2011
If it was a white grunge rocker with a beard, there would be no issue.
Agreed Rob!
This comment, which we hear over and over, makes no sense–I'm sorry. Maybe if we were all living completely outside of historical context, you could say, "Swap WHITE for BLACK and that's the most racist thing EVER!" But the response to this ad is of course within historical context, where we all live. The United States has a history of slavery, formal and informal racism, and inequality that persists to this day. While the national unemployment average is 9%, among African-Americans it is 16%. Yes, African-Americans are more sensitive to issues around race. Their grandparents and maybe parents lived under Jim Crowe, you understand. All this did not happen hundreds and hundreds of years ago, removed from the current African-American experience. We have a ways to go before this is all left behind us, and the adult way to handle it is have a brain and use it. If you think about it for 0.5 seconds, you should be able to understand the frustration of African-Americans at seeing something like this.
but it wasn't a white guy! next time, they should put people of different ethnicities on the ad together, then maybe it wouldn't appear to be so racist.
the issue is the impression is wearing our hair naturally is some how uncivilized not that I don't think you get that, you just are insensitive to the sterotyes that keep living because of ignorance. If I were white and it showed someone with their hair mussed and a beard and that's how I looked I would be offended, guess you just can't hurt some people feelings but the rest of us have them and it is our right to talk with our pocketbooks. If a company insults you move on there are plenty of places making lotion nivea isn't the only game in town.
Fine – then don't buy anything from this company – speak with your pocketbook, but frankly otherwise STFU and stop whining. You aren't the only one who has had a rough time in your life, I don't care what color you are – I personally prefer the "make something positive" rather than continue to play a victim, but that's just me...
Sorry but I tend to agree with the poster. This reminds me of yesterdays daily show – namely the bit with Wyatt Cynac and Jon Oliver. Ill agree this issue could be considered a bit murkier but the point essentially sticks. Calling someone a black hole isn't racist. Calling someone a tar baby is. Referring to anyone black as uncivilized could certainly, historically, be considered racially insensitive – however would calling a young african american street level gang member uncivilized be racist? Again this is a grey area but I can't really think of too many black people who would be overly upset at this advertisement. This wasn't going to ruin anyones day. Of course I'm not black but I do understand what it's like to be judged by racial stereotypes. At the end of the day you just have to live your life and have confidence in yourself and everything else be damned.
It seems like most people agree that the company wasn't intending anything about the ad to be racist. It was a clean cut guy throwing a scruffy guy's image away. Most people also seem to agree that there is nothing racially offensive about a white guy doing the same thing. So how can this be "racist" (i.e., discriminating based on race) if the company wasn't trying to make a statement against blacks and could just as easily switched to a white model with no issue?
@Anise, very well said! A person would have to live in a vacuum to not see that making an ad that mimics one of the core beliefs of racists would be inappropriate.
this wasnt meant as a specific reply, just a note.. Im Irish, very irish. We were slaves about a thousand years before africans were being round up, but you dont hear my people crying anytime someone makes fun of a ginger or calls us drunks. Plus Im a Christian, I "leave the dead to bury the dead" people keep bringing up the past as if they were there. If you wanna move forward with each other as races or people, quit crying all the time.. and have a drink, its on me
@Cully,
Not quite. It is true that the Irish were used as slaves. Some were even slaves here in America. However, they weren't slaves for life. They were eventually freed, unlike the Africans later brought here as slaves. Slavery wasn't a racial issue until some time later when the white colonists decided it was. Also, a little over a thousand years ago it was the Irish that were the slave owners. They loved their English slaves even though St. Patrick (a former Brittish slave himself) condemned it.
@Cully: I chuckled when I read your comment. Our people never cry about their past mistreatment? You sure you're Irish? It's idealistic and sweet, but we LOVE to complain over those drinks Mate! We also love to throw our fists. I'm actually OK with the stereotype, as I take my double shot of rum with a wee bit of coke.
I concur!
Gee RobK, if it were a White person looking stupid... They would still get the job. Not true, with a non-White person, looking stupid [perception] of person with the power to hire. In other words, sometimes, a person who isn't White has to blend in and look a certain way. There were times and it still exists today, when a large Afro, was perceived in a negative light. So some would have to either cut it or put on a wig. Please don't laugh. I am not being funny. There are many things, that take place in our society, that indicates... A person stands a better chance of getting that job, if they are perceived in the manner of being [White]. Thus the hair was a litmus test for your being accepted or not... Now it is the first name... A Smart person will prepare to present themselves as conservative. I did, once I got the job. I took my wig off and oh welll... That's another story...
Racism will continue to be a problem for as long as people try to make ads like these out to be offensive.
Yep...true...
Phaz, growing your hair out that long IS uncivilized, and is usually not tolerated for male employees at most businesses. That is why haircuts exist. The same distinction is made for men of other ethnicities who grow their hair out long.
Long, unkempt hair looks unprofessional whether it is an afro or the hippy hair to the shoulders. Sorry, but your argument carries absolutely no merit. Haircuts are expected for men of all ethnicities in a professional environment. The fact that your hair grows out and up as opposed to out and down is irrelevant.
To Anise Blue:
The reason blacks have a 16% unemployment rate is that 50% of them drop out of school and their parents don't give a hoot. Then half of the remaining students don't pay attention and can't qualify for anything but flipping burgers or basic laborer. Once their leaders like Maxine Waters starts chastising her community to take responsibility for themselves, I'll start being more sensitive to their lack of jobs.
You're right, there would be no issue because white people haven't been subjected to being called monkeys and n**gers or barbarians since our country's founding. Pull your head out of your butt and stop pretending blacks and whites have received equal treatment and that African Americans don't have a right to be sensitive about words like "UNCIVILIZED". Oh and I'm white, so don't try that race card crap on me.
@ Lorraine...very very well said...thx
For the sake of humor its worth pointing out that nivea is Latin for "white".
I don't think anyone appreicates the stereotype of naturally "uncivilizided". Yeah, there was a white version of this ad, which was race neutral. The obvious implication here is that black people have a naturally uncivilized appearance. If their hair were straighter and more like their white neighbors,they wouldn't be uncivilized, it'd just be their style. This is offensive and I'm surprised you're not willing to acknowledge that.
my firsty game has been lame, i get busy at work and lifes just not the same
when I get firsty is makes me feel so cool, there are even certain days when I totally rule
my boss wants me to pay attention, but with this job I'm full of apprehension
in the event that I dont get to the blog in tyme, I have the fortune to make us some killa rhymes
Roadblock....is that you?
Uhmmm, yeah, NEXT!! As they say, DON'T quit your day job.
Some "stinko" rhymes is more like it.
You're pretending to be a white guy who can't rap or keep a beat. RACIST!!!! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Nice one there portapotty! Yep, just a lot of whining going on! BooHooo!!
I hope our friend Triumph will come back. But it is cool when Portalpunk is firsty too.
They DID do a caveman commercial.... so easy even a caveman could do it. Omg! I should throw a fit and say it's racial and how insensitive to make it sound like white people came from "idiots". Oh! AND, then the commercials ALSO made fun of how the cavemen felt when they were called "stupid". Please.
Septembre needs to remove herself from the gene pool. Seriously, racial?
I see a mask of a black guy that looks like crap next to another black guy who is well-dressed, well groomed, and looking sharp. It's obvious which one cares about his appearance. That's the point of the ad.
I hate to break it to those of you who are easily offended, but people can look like crap in any color. They can also look presentable. Sorry, but the guy in the ad is much more likely to get promoted and/or get laid than someone that looks like that fugly mask.
People are so afraid of being racist that they will jump on any bandwagon to say something IS racist. This is simply proof that people are still not comfortable with what makes a remark or idea racist. A man who is scruffy and then gets cleaned up because of a product does not indicate any form of racism.
Thank you, Elizabeth. The next time a see a similar ad featuring unkempt white guys, I'm going to scream racism and see how badly I get laughed at. There is nothing wrong with being somewhat PC. It helps keep people civil. However, some people just take things entirely too far. This girl and her followers need to move to an Amish commune before the world REALLY screws them up.
I believe that we, as a society, have become too obsessed with unimportant "issues". I can see how the advertisement could be seen in a negative light. It is our job as responsible adults to see past these feelings of insecurity. America today is more diverse that ever. Racism may still exist to a small extent bu, having lived all over the world and the country, I would say that most racism is a fabrication in the ofendee's mind. I have seen many cases, regardless of skin color or ethnic background, that a person cries racism simply to get attention. Yes, as we were growing as a nation we made some mistakes. The important lessons to remember is that we learned from our mistakes and that no one is perfect. Unless something is overtly racist, we should be slow to jump on the racist band wagon and focus on living our life and setting a good example for the generation that follows us.
Agrees with LOLTHISCOUNTRY!!!
That's Racist
Switch the mask to a dirty, hairy white guy, and the actor to a clean cut white guy and there would not be one complaint.
Just use white actors from now on and we won't have this problem...oh wait, they would call that not equal
YAWN!!!!
More cry baby whiners taking themselves too seriously. Make sure we only poke fun of middle aged white males, or the whole country gets their panties in a bunch. Get over yourselves and grow up.
How could that be anything BUT racism? What were they thinking????? The people who did this ad should be fired.
Absolutely, you can look like a bum no matter what color your skin is. I don't think Nivea was trying to be racist. What about the Geico commercials? Is that racist also. Racists are very good at pointing out things they believe to be offensive. PS, now that we have a black president we know that skin color doesn't matter when it comes to displaying poor leadership skills. Am I being a racist? No, just stating a fact.
I'm a 51 year old white female and yes, this is definitely racist. What on earth were they thinking? How did this ever make it through the vetting process...?
As a black man there is absolutely, positively, nothing wrong with this ad. It shows a mask of a black dude who happens to look like what a black person looks like when he doesn't clean up. Then a black dude that looks like what a black person looks like when he cleans up. How the hell is that offensive. I'd say it's a good ad!!
Also, you can be clean cut with a shaped afro and lined beard too. People whining about this are crazy to me.
If it was a white guy with an afro and a beard, no one would think twice about it.
I don't see the big deal. What if the photo was of a white male that was clean cut throwing out a "mask" of long long hair, maybe even in a pony tail ???? No one would say anything to that. This is just ridiculous! The ad is to clean up your look and that is it...
Of course it was racist,You people took me out of my character yesterday. Obviously you have some deep seeded issues.but. I too have some demons, but im getting rid of mines starting today. From now on when i encounter racism, im going to take time to think... before i speak, or swing.lol. Cause I know what type of peace you people are living with out. being racist has to be exhausting. GOD LOVES YOU ALL, AND NO ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER. may peace be in yours hearts and brain.
I am an African American Female who proudly sports her airfro. From my point of view, it's not the holding of the mask and the way the mask looks. It's not about how clean the gentleman became upon using Nivea. Listen closely those of you who believe this not to be racist or those who simply hide behind these fake names (cowards) to add more insult to the insulted. Had the clean cut gentleman kept his airfro and beard but only trimmed using the Nivea products I believe in my heart this would not have become such a huge issue. See baby my race of people comes in many shades, styles, and funks (positive for good-looking) and whenever a major company such as Nivea fails to display such proud heritage then they stand to loose thousands of customers such as my sons and brothers who were using the product. My advice to Nivea, I am an everyday consumer, you all could have just contacted me and I would have perused the ad before release. So N-I-V-E-A how and what are you going to do to recover and build back your ratings to awesome??? I'm thinking along the lines of Dredd Locks; real rustic dredds, cause my sons would look great after a smooth Nivea shave and groovy grooming. For now we are searching other products but can forgive once......
What person in their right mind with a marginal level of sensitivity would think this could not be considered offensive? You have to figure that many people meet and discuss about ad campaigns prior to launching them. Someone somewhere didn't speak up, that's disturbing.
Nivea knows that all publicity is good for the profit bottom line. So it matters not if you like it or not. The name is being mentioned. They really do not care why.