MODCLOTH CALLS $275 SKIRT "WONDERFUL" FOR VOLUNTEERING IN AFRICA

Jacked from Styleite.com because I couldn't have said it better.

Online clothing descriptions are generally boring, so Modcloth tried to jazz up the product info on this $275 Lauren Moffatt skirt by describing it as the perfect thing to wear when volunteering in Tanzania.
Yes, Tanzania, the African nation with one of the world’s poorest economies in terms of per capita income. You know, the country that has a GDP smaller than the United States’ last economic stimulus package. Clearly what would really fix Tanzania’s deep-set economic troubles is a coterie of rich blogger-friendly Western consumers to come over wearing outfits that cost more than most of its citizens make in a month and give them advice. And they’d totally do it in a heartbeat, because solving the world’s problems just gives everyone the warm fuzzies, doesn’t it? Plus it’s totally a great excuse to travel! Think of how tan you could get!

Continue for description after the break:

VOGUE ITALIA UNDER FIRE FOR USING THE TERM "SLAVE EARRINGS"

Vogue Italia sparked backlash after featuring an online feature, which was viewed as "overtly racist," listing an earring as "slave earrings."

The article recalled the style of earrings worn by 'women of colour' who were brought to the southern United States during the slave trade.' The article pushed the envelope further by referring to the hooped style as 'latest interpretation which is pure freedom'

Vogue has since changed the title to their article to "ethnic earrings," and issued an apology.

“We apologise for the inconvenience. It is a matter of really bad translation from Italian into English,” the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani, said in a statement. “The Italian word, which defines those kind of earrings, should instead be translated into ‘ethnical style earrings.’ Again, we are sorry about this mistake which we have just amended in the website.”

Seriously, at this point I'm sincerely disgusted at the blatant insensitivity of these companies. They are apologizing for any inconvience to what? My feelings or the staff who changed the wording from slave to ethnic? WTH? What do you think?

Source: [Hollywoodheavy]

NIVEA RESPONDS TO OUTCRY OVER RACIST AD

Last Tuesday I demanded the marketing team over at Nivea respond to my post (click here if you missed it) and explain to me what they meant by the ad they had placed. I also asked for an apology and I got it! Well, it wasn't to me solely, it was posted on their Facebook wall for all to see. They wrote:


"Thank you for caring enough to give us your feedback about the recent “Re-civilized” NIVEA FOR MEN ad. This ad was inappropriate and offensive. It was never our intention to offend anyone, and for this we are deeply sorry. This ad will never be used again. Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of our company."

Umm, whatever..

NIVEA THIS AD IS A BIT MUCH!

My twitter time line was in a tizzy this morning in regards to this Nivea ad, so of course I had to find it and give my thoughts. Now I'm not sure exactly what it is that Nivea wanted to get across but it came off as offensive as hell to me. The caption says "RE-CIVILIZE YOURSELF", "LOOK LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN". Are they saying that if a black man has an afro with a mustache and goatee he may very well be a savage? I am thoroughly offended and would like for the marketing team over at Nivea to hit me up and explain to me what this is suppose to mean. Well it doesn't have to be me alone but an explanation is definitely in order and I'm almost sure an apology should follow.