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Friday, December 5, 2014

Am I missing something?


The TTC has pulled this ad due to 11 complaints (which I assume also includes this outraged Twitter user).

Why are we not protesting ads for tanning salons? You know, the ads that tell white people to look darker?

20 comments:

Jules said...

Society has become overly sensitive.

Anonymous said...

I think it's the photos that are bothersome. Maybe they should have shown before and afters of skin correction?

C.J. Smith said...

^ Maybe.

But this begs the question, just like some white people want to be tanned all the time, is it horrible or unjust for someone to want the reverse?

Teresa said...

C.J.
You have to understand racism to get it. It's easy for yuo to be confused because you are white.

C.J. Smith said...

I don't think this has anything to do with racism. The ad is more about narcissism. Like those who tan, it's about insecurities about how one looks.

But because you think I need to understand something, please explain it to me. Thanks

Tal Hartsfeld said...

Why are people so obsessed with all this "superficial crap" stuff anyway?
You don't suppose it might be because most people don't have the aptitude for developing any kind of individual personality or character do you?

C.J. Smith said...

^ Exactly.

outburst said...

It's likely offensive because it's implying that people should have lighter skin. Skin tone isn't the same as it is with something like teeth, where having lighter coloured teeth indicates better health.
I see where you're coming from though, because you have to draw the line somewhere. Are ads telling you to dye your grey hair offensive? What about Dr. Berenstein's ads?
There are a number of religious ads on the TTC system, most of which irk me, but I generally look away and try to ignore them.

Anonymous said...

I thought it was quite funny. But then again - I'm not black.

Kevin said...

I'm black and my daughter tells me all the time she's too dark and has expressed many times to me and her mother that she needs to be lighter skinned to look beautiful. So this ad makes me sad. But I don't find it offensive.

C.J. Smith said...

Okay, that I totally get, Kevin. I have friends who want to look darker. They hate their pale skin. And for that I do blame fashion magazines.

Al said...

I know in asia, they use whitening cream and avoid the sun, where in the west we are all about dark bronzed and tanned is beautiful. Many in the east have the opposite opinion. My wife travelled to thailand to visit relatives a few years ago and they were mortified how tanned she had gotten after only one week. they kept telling her she was much prettier when she had lighter skin. Not racist, just a different local opinion of what constitues beautiful. Also just a company finding a niche market, to help people of that opinion.

Now the She had a rash breakout while she was there, very itchy shin and hives. the doctor mentioned that he could do something for the allergy, but the real problem he needed to discuss was her weight. he said she was way too fat. she needed top lose 30 pounds. Did he care about offending her? no, he was concerened her weight was a catalyst for many other problems she might face in the future. sounds harsh but really just doing (what he thought was) his duty as a doctor

George said...

Double standards at it's finest.

It's ok for light skinned people to get darkened, but it's not ok for dark skinned people to get lighter.

I don't want to live on this planet anymore (Futurama reference for the nerd-impaired).

Some people are too sensitive and see racism in everything. I pity them.

Squiggles said...

Professor Farnsworth!

And George, I agree with your sentiments exactly.

Anonymous said...

Well let's forget the caste system...(getting intense now this debate right?).

Anonymous said...

Seriously, if you go to asian countries, there are ads all over the place about lightening the skin. It's just what people prefer.
you try to tell to stay out and get tanned in the summer.

Anonymous said...

In the Philippines it's hard to find a skin cream without a bleaching agent. I see your point C.J and I agree, tanning ads should not be allowed either. In fact, there is no such thing as a safe tan. I was never a sun worshipper but am ivory pale. At 28 I developed a lesion on my upper back and needed surgery to remove it. Basal Cell Carcinoma - from the sun.

Anonymous said...

White western beauty standards being what they are, POC (especially women) are pressured to conform. White people see this ad and think it's comparable to tanning... and sure on the surface it might be similar... but the underlying message is so much worse.
What does tanning mean to a white person? It gives the impression of vitality, activity, vacation, fun in the sun. At worst, the untanned white person would be called pasty or washed out (or more likely no one would notice or care). Now, what does skin whitening/bleaching products mean to a person of colour? It means conforming white to western beauty standards that (ridiculously) see lighter skin as more desirable than darker skin. For instance, lighter skinned black women being hired more than their darker skinned sisters... Prominent black celebrities having their skin lightened on magazine covers (Beyonce, Rihanna, Gabourey Sidibe, even Neil deGrasse Tyson!)... A quick Google search brought up numerous articles, blog posts, and research papers outlining the difference a little melanin can make. These whitening products play into that. Sure some people might not care or be offended (and that's their right) But other people do CARE and are OFFENDED... Calling them 'overly sensitive' is a slap in the face. I would have expected more understanding from this blog.

Jennifer said...

Well put, Anon at 9:28!

George said...

So why can't they be offended without hollering RACISM!!!!!

Sorry, if you don't like the ad then ignore it or complain about it like a normal sensible person would be. But seeing racism is just plain stupid. There is racism in the country obviously so wouldn't it make more sense to combat real issues rather than making them up?

BTW I am offended by tanning ads and would like to see them removed. But I would never infringe on anyone's rights to tan or advertise the service as people should never infringe on a dark skinned person's right to go lighter if that's what they want or to remove ads that offer that service.

People who use fashion magazines as reference points for beauty are sheep. Sad, unintelligent, mournful sheep. Following these "celebrities" advice is an example of a lack of self-confidence.

So you offended people, keep on fighting the useless fight while there are real issues to be concerned about. A very tiny minority will thank you while the rest will ignore this.
Oh wait, I must be racist for not caring and I am after all a middle aged white man. I fit all the criteria for that label according to the "professionals".
Colour me *snicker* unconcerned about what others think of me.