Beyonce made “whiter” by L’Oreal
7 August 2008
4,516 views
34 Comments
Apparently being black is a problem even if you’re Beyonce. Look at the photo shop enhancement that was made to Beyonce’s image for a new ad campaign. Is this offensive to African Americans or just business as usual in the fashion industry??
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OMG! How far will she (Beyonce) let this go, I wonder? You guys are blaming it on the ‘Makeup Person”. I think she (Beyonce) is probably lightening up herself. Her mother already said they are not Black, but Indian….shame when people are ashamed of what they really are…
Not surprising and still, very sad. Although this has been bought to her attention, she will only express displeasure if she is truly offended or feel it is her duty as a black person in this country to speak against Loreal’s actions. It does not appear that many of our rich, black celebrities feel that they have much of a duty to support black people and speak out against racism. Like the rest, they make clothing in other countries, embrace those outside of their communities as their close friends and confidants and they conform to whatever Hollywood tells them will keep that money flowing. Great singer, but I will be pleasantly surprised if she speaks out.
Wow, its really outrageous; asolutely everything was performed on this photo to make her appear non black. The photo is moving toward the micheal jackson realm
I think it is business as usual. And the business is, they want someone who looks ethnic but not Black. That is why so many Black actresses are losing jobs to latina women. They want someone who is not white, but certainly not Black.
i love B and i think this is the choice of L’Oreal to do this…let’s be real, we know that the marketing industry in this country always shifts towards white amerikka…
The sad part is that she really looks more attractive with her natural dark brown color! This is a question of not being proud of your African identity in a time of western cultural genocide! Dr. Wade Nobles, radical African-centered Psychologist, posits the theoretical understanding of what it is to be African/Black in a non-African/ white supremacist society which requires deep thought (see Nobles in ‘Seeking the Sakhu:Foundational writings for an African Psychology’).
According to Dr. Naim Akbar, another radical African-centered Psychologist, under the rubric of white supramacy, he says people sadly develop the psychosocial vestiges of their historical enslavement which leads them into an anti-self disorder(see Akbar in ‘Signs and Symbols of Psychological Slavery).
Indeed she’s much more beautiful than this new whitish appearence that’s been created of her.
So many blacks are bleaching their skin these days to make themselves lighter.
It’s not just happening with celebrities but, grassroot people as well.
Do they feel ashame of the brown and/or blackness of their skin color…….WHY?
Yebo, Loreal is definitely lying and has made a marketing decision to whiten the picture. I believe that B had nothing to do with how the picture looks. Afterall, let’s remember who we’re dealing with Loreal is a corporation in a strapped economy seeking to maintian a foothold on profit. It’s always about those damned ugly a– Benjamins or should I say Euros…
I really don’t follow Beyonce, so I don’t know if the first photo is of her with a tan and the L’Oreal photo is of her, untanned. I do know that when she first emerged on the scene she did not have blonde hair. It is clear that in the L’Oreal photo she is styled to look either bi-racial, Latino, but not Black. So, what else is new in the celebrity world?
Am I offended? No! Actually, I feel sorry for Beyonce that she feels she has to consent to being marketed as somebody she is not.
I am so sick of these people (and the Beyonce’s of the world too) ! Sick of them.
I am not at all shocked, as an African American woman, I talk to people all of the time about how the images we see from birth brainwash us to conform to a standard of beuty we don’t fit into. Black women struggle daily, the beauty industry is proof of that. The amount of money we spend on products, to me is further proof that in some ways we are uncomfortable in our own skin(and hair). I know many black women who feel incomplete without their weaves, I’m sure Beyonece is included in this, have you ever seen her without one? We need need to know and reiterate to our girls as they grow, that Black is Beautiful AS IS
I think it’s just that she has a tan in the picture on the left!
The darker Beyonce looks gorgeous. The L’Oreal
Beyonce looks chiseled and unattractive. Her nose appears sharpened, her cheeks appear sunked in. However, notwithstanding her sun tan, she always looked light, light or “high yellow” to me. I think that it is the air bruhing that makes her look different or unflattering.
Hattie
That should be air “brushing”
Hattie
You know what’s ridiculously sad and annoying about the latest scandalization of the black race of people, the gosh darn exuses. Let’s take it back a few years. I recall Halle Berry stating objections to disrobing to make money. So what happens next? Most of her new gigs involved her doing just that. Now Jay Z and Beyonce are two successful black entertainers so now what? Pretty much business as usual. The enemies of people of color select a new body to victimize and set the price tag high enough for their client to once again turn their back on the natural truth found in the reflection of an ordinary mirror devoid of external studio manipulation. It’s ok to be black, red, brown, green, pink, purple or whatever. Why are so many colored folks shamed by other folks who don’t really care about you at all? We will need to work this out among ourselves. Stop being afraid of the dark.
Don’t punk out your race for a few dollars!
Beyonce doesn’t offend me because she’s a business woman. She’s receiving money for promoting a company. I don’t look at celebrities as my role models. I look at my parents, business entrepreneurs as role models. Are people going to boycott Beyonce because of her look? The question should why she isn’t modeling for Carol’s Daughter, Iman etc the other Black products…….Its simple about MONEY
This is utterly unacceptable! There is no way one can possess vision and not see that this is clearly not “make-up” but a blatant “MAKE OVER”!
Can one excel and remain “HAPPY IN THE SKIN THAT THEY ARE IN”??? … not allow the system to transform their being and exterior into someone/something that is not the original!
SHAME! SHAME! I pity the woman so therefore I offer up prayers that soon and very soon she rediscovers herself.
Also, in the picture she looks totally like another person!
Thank you and remain well moving forward!
The Website is simply G R E A T !
I think it is long over due for the black woman to take pride in being black, and burn the white wigs. How black can you be when you are trying to look white.. Wake up! Respect yourself..
It’s a matter of wealth being painted white. Beyonce is not alone, many people of African descent are using skin lightening creams. What we need to do is recognize it, acknowledge it and do something about it. Many young people of Afican descent are taught and influenced to hate themselves or their identity through education and images.
WURD, watch your words, because WURD is giving the audience dichotomous messages. Leave Beyonce alone, until WURD acknowledges that the “whitening” discussion MUST begin with the WHITENENING of THERA MARTIN – CONNELLY’s skin on the front page of WURD’s website (www.900amwurd.com)! Her range of skin colour is prominent on the WURD website. Do not blame the photographer, because Thera had “final cut,” and chose this photo to be broadcast across the internet. Use images of Thera with her natural colour, which I hope she is proud of, or leave Beyonce out of it and stop using the latter as a scapegoat. The Ambi skin creme effect is not cute.
Hello All,
Thank you for continuing to support WURD and the Wake up with Bill website. “StayAway” I found your comment interesting and a little confusing. By your own admission, Thera appears in many pictures on the WURD site, all of which represent her true skin tone. The one pic that you refer to I happened to be in attendance during the shoot and can tell you that other then standard “glamour shot” make up there was no attempt made to lighten. In fact it was the effect of a black and white picture coupled with a flash that may have created the result you oppose. Should Thera trash the pic because of the tone?? Perhaps, but she clearly and proudly expresses who she is throughout the site. Also, if you look at the post, it simply shows 2 pics of Beyonce and asks whether or not people are offended by it. There was no attack or judgement presented.
I hope to hear more from you on the site and on the air.
Thanks,
Bill A
Bill, it’s impossible for you to be confused, because the direct evidence exists in WURD’s website photos. I will clarify by saying that ANY skin whitening, except what’s deemed as medically necessary or ceremonially significant, is offensive and embarrasses our race. This is a fact, and not rooted in my personal opinion. I will also reiterate that ownership of “final cut” determines which images are released to the public. Don’t single out Beyonce because she is wealthy, when WURD, like L’Oreal, is broadcasting content where African-American skin is whitened. Own up to the WURD photos BEFORE criticizing others, and please don’t make weak excuses. Guess what, the technology is available to publish everything very close to true colour. It is easy. Black & white photography, makeup, flash lighting, electronic finishing, or any other reason is no excuse to choose to use photos with obviously untrue skin colour. Glamour comes in all African skin tones, and Thera and Beyonce believe in being beautiful inside and out. I’d bet that Thera has more experience with this between the 2 of them.
I noticed Thera’s photos the 1st time I visited http://www.900amwurd.com, and my thoughts popped out of my head! I said nothing until months later when I hear your morning show discussion about Beyonce & L’Oreal. Personally, I do need balance from your communication, so replacing that picture would be appropriate if WURD host(s) discuss the skin whitening syndrome. Many women in Ghana and other countries in Africa are DYING from using Ambi skin creme.
NOTE TO EDITOR: Be brave and publish this response:D
since when being mixed is being black?
i’m mixed with a complexion like beyonce,and i get fed up being called ‘black ‘ when my mom, sister and family are white and also the other half of me.
as for the ad, its way too much overreacting, its not new and always happened …the purpose is to sell the color not the model.
i understand “C’s” emotion! however i’m lighter than beyonce, & beyonce & i have the same african-caribbean lineage. my fam goes from blue-black to my colour & all of us are smart, shearly hott & beautiful & all representing black!!!
i’m so sick of black people who are consumed with self-hate directing that hate on light-skinned persons of colour – it’s mentally-ill transferrance! we will not sit by whilst this sick duality (self-hate and jealously) marinates – know this forever & stop using beyonce as a scapegoat. and, “C” is so on-point, because l’oreal is capitalizing, growing their profits, from products reflecting this self-hate. “C” & i may differ on our racial classification cause i am african-american, but the CRITICAL point is stop buying SELF-HATE PRODUCTS cause l’oreal could’nt succeed with this product line if this “large market segment of black women worldwide” CEASES TO MANUFACTURE THE DEMAND FOR SKIN-WHITENING MAKEUP PRODUCTS! will some black persons continue the proprietary ventures of cj walker, the khemetans, the egyptians, the nubians & show the world REAL MAKE FOR OUR SKIN SUPPLIED & DEMANDED BY US FOR US? hating on beautiful light-skin people of colour is not the reponse while you make l’oreal rich as shiznit. yeah, obama & i are sick of the victim shiznit: & ALL WHILE TRYING TO CHOKEHOLD LIGHT-SKINNED PERSONS TO BE SILENT, while u victims express-SHIP $$$ out of our communities.
LOVE YOURSELF – JUST DO IT & STOP PAYING for self-hate victimization NOW. end the cowardice which is not a requirement for inner or outer beauty.
Unfortunately, whenever we discuss complexions in the African American community, it becomes argumentative. We must realize and acknowledge that lightskin / darkskin has historically been used and used well as a tool to divide and conquer. A discussion of the subject does not mean one is hating on the other. It is a problem in our community that we must realize, intelligently discuss and overcome. In my community I voluntarily work with a group of 16 young people from the age of six to sixteen. We clean the neighborhood and the young people get paid by the hour. On monday, August 25, while the young people were taking a break from work, they begin to argue over who had the lightest skin and whose skin was the closest to white. The young people who were involved in this discussion were 7, 8 and 9 years of age. Why do you think these very young people were discussing this? Because African American youth are culturally deprived and the picture of success, wealth, fame, status and the highly educated are painted white. It creates a self hatred mentality. They feel that their color is holding them back and they hate and deny their identity.
This is white America> Like it or not! An individual is a product of his or her environment, unless inlfuenced by some outside source.
Children learn this colour discrimination from their parents and families, and African-American’s are not the worst abusers. Many whites teach their children to hate our skin, and the associated curse words to use, as soon as possible. They begin this discriminating education close to their children’s birth! I learned this when I observed their children “slip” this information out while in daycare environments. The difference is that the skin discrimination in the Black community focuses on self-hate.
My parents never taught me to hate myself, because their focus was on teaching their children what was needed for success. My mother died young, and every minute I remain amazed by how she never wasted a second and she was always teaching me what I needed to grow in all ways!
Maybe, if parents were faced with a short time to influence their children’s lives, they would treasure the valuable lessons that they are responsible for transferring to their children and community. Growing up, I witnessed my mother’s efficiency in raising her children to love their being and heritage. My sister was a little 6 year-old when my mother died. Can you imagine wasting a nanosecond of those 6 years on self-hate lessons? It never happened in my household.
Skin differences are powerful, and the cosmetic industry is happy with the results. Remember that companies will sell makeup whether you want to maintain or change your colour. I don’t buy any of the stuff, but I love when it is used creatively because then it is another representation of love.
When will we squash self-hate in our community? My parents realized that the inside forces are very influential to promote self-respect. The outside environment is always there, so practice being a leader and don’t drown following the flood.
STAYAWAYORDER, if you are responding to what I said, you may have misunderstood me. You are right however, whites do teach their children to hate our skin, but we can overcome that. What is extremely effective and difficult to overcome is when a person is taught through example and various other means to hate their own skin. That’s what creates the self hatred mentality. I will respond later with clarity. I respect Your response and it is a very interesting dialogue
… i understood ur comment, Avery, and ur story illustrated ur point! My comment(s) were reasons and statements about why self-hate breeds nothing but depression, regression, & all thingz negative. It is no coincidence that a large % of our community is hooked on zanax, prozac, ritilin, heroin, crack, and a myraid of narcotics to attempt to drown the self-hate with pharmaceutics. Even at this DNC, the media showed so many Black persons focused on alcohol & partyz, and little focus on organized effortz to present obama with demandz & planz. Meanwhile, white supporters of obama met his camp with demandz & planz PRIOR 2 delivering their voting block to the democratic nominee.
Our children have no “brain-space” 4 miseducation of any kind. Overcoming the self-hate specifics will free da mindz of our children 2 take in science, the many creativities, math, liberal arts, law, and other skillz required for progress.
Beyonce has always wanted to be “LIGHTER” in color, size,hair-etc.
We must remember that she is a Bi-Polor self proclained multi-
personality person.( remember beyonce/sasha ). I say BOYCOTT
anything beyonce has her name on. This will let her know that we
as a people are not “crazy”!!!!
There is POWER in BOYCOTT—try it ! chow
first she got a nose job, now it’s skin whitening.
beyonce is he next michael jackson.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ —-New post-hoc analysis from ATHENA Study showed that Multaq(R) on top of standard therapy significantly decreased the total number of hospital days by 28% in patients with
This is not offensive. This is not more offensive to me than seeing a white girl dressed up in a Sari. It’s just a photo for god’s sake. She look’s similar on her album cover. Asian women have been buying bleaching tonics for years while white’s like nothing more than getting a tan at the beach. Who cares?
funny that everytime i see this story the people ALWAYS choose that tan photo of beyonce that is on the left. which is stupid because that isn’t even her natural color
and also funny that when michael jackson whitened his skin and got plastic surgery to appear white everyone kept saying that he didn’t do anything or that he just had viteligo which is complete BULL!!!!
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