.@Unilever preaches conscious capitalism.
It also exploits sexism and colorism by selling Fair & Lovely skin-whitening cream.
And of course it has a Fair & Lovely Foundation, to give back.
I asked the CEO to make history and end the product.
Will he?https://qz.com/work/1406227/unilever-ceo-paul-polman-and-anand-giridharadas-conflict-on-conscious-capitalism/ …
-
-
From the website: "The formulation contains 'white optics' which brightens the skin, giving an instant glow on application. From our consumer study, 9 out of 10# women experienced treatment like fairness from the very first use." And look at that photo in the ad.pic.twitter.com/tLK0eONQtO
Show this thread -
.
@BuzzFeedIndia has been an important voice bringing prominence to the issue:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BQc2guo-Lg&feature=youtu.be …Show this thread -
How can a global leadership team that looks like this in good conscience sell Indian women — and others — a product predicated on their being too dark?pic.twitter.com/qtWc7fyapy
Show this thread -
Look at this detail from the
@unilever ad that was subsequently banned by the Indian advertising industry.pic.twitter.com/r2NWd0is0TShow this thread -
I'm proud
@PaulPolman and I were able to have a conversation that was high on disagreement and high on civility. But again and again, he told me I wasn't offering solutions, was focusing on niche issues. But this isn't niche.Show this thread -
This is one example why companies motivated by profit cannot be our saviors from the problems they cause. Why, instead of trying to do good, it may be more useful for companies to first do no harm.
Show this thread -
Businesspeople love efficiency. You know what's more efficient than making millions of women feel awful about themselves, creating a foundation with the profits, while talking about "conscious capitalism"? Not doing the bad thing to begin with.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Should Unilever make money off of this? Of course not. But let's not ignore the root of the issue which is the Indian community itself.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
in our culture for centuries. Even I, a 2nd gen woman born in the US, wasn't immune from criticisms about my "dark" skin from multitudes of Indian aunties.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
Anand, you (should) know as well as I do that in this instance the company is not forcing the narrative, but rather is being opportunistic with regard to India's long standing problems with colorism. The myth that fair skin is more beautiful has been running rampant
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
They also have used carcinogen laden white talcomb powder on face, neck & arms for decades.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
I remember seeing ads with Shah Rukh Khan for something like “Handsome Man Face Cream” in Kolkata. It took my friend explaining to me what it meant for me to get it.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.