I have been silent for long enough.
Dove.
H&M.
Amazon.
And now Wycon Cosmetics.
Every week it seems as if another major brand joins the list of racially insensitive marketers and advertisers and quite honestly I’ve had enough.
Over the last several months I have sat back in awe and watched tirelessly as brands ‘unknowingly’ created advertisements targeted specifically at black communities only to leave the community, outraged and prepared to protest their brands. One twitter user @NerdAboutTown even suggested that these brands are doing this as a part of a sick publicity stunt in order to gain more visibility and while I once I thought that was only a conspiracy theory it’s now turning into a very valid question. Are brands really trolling black audiences in hopes of garnering their attention?
While that answer is still unknown one thing that is very widely known is that most large brands and organizations generally have a strict approval process before an ad even goes live and yet somehow many of these racist driven advertisements still manage to make it’s way through process. How is this even possible?
Lack of attention and lack of representation.
Yes, everyone is screaming #TimesUp around the world and even using the cute hashtag that #representationmatters but where is the true representation?
According to U.S. statistical data African Americans only make up approximately 7% of advertising and marketing workers. Yes, only 7%. This is extremely alarming considering that by 2021 it is estimated that African American spending will reach over $1.5 trillion dollars making them the top consumer buyer in America. Brands are now flocking to do anything necessary to get in front of the black consumer(even if it means offending them and apologizing later) and many are doing so with little to no African American advertising/marketing professionals at their tables.
In fact, earlier this year I surveyed the African American women freelance creatives on my platform blackgirlgroup.com and was shocked to learn that many of the freelancers who still work full time in marketing/advertising mentioned often feeling pressured to remain silent during the creation of racially insensitive marketing campaigns in fear that speaking up could cost them their jobs. This in turn has left many black voices unheard even while sitting at the table. These survey findings while disheartening are just a reminder of the very subtle micro-aggressions that still exist in the advertising and marketing world.
So where do we go from here? I’m not quite sure, but one thing that I do know is that there’s no excuse. In 2016, I created BGG Enterprises an online marketplace that connects black women freelance creatives to companies seeking to create content for black audiences during a time that many people told me that racially insensitive marketing didn’t exist. Here we are now in 2018 and it seems as if every other week there’s a new debacle.
My platform was created to not only amplify the voices of African American women freelance creatives but to give them an opportunity to sit at tables amongst other creatives and help them create campaigns that speak to black audiences without offending them.
It’s not a hard concept but it is a hard conversation and if that conversation doesn’t begin anywhere else, it begins right here and right now. What will you and your brand do? Be a part of the problem or part of the solution?
The choice is yours.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit,
but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read.
I will certainly be back.
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would
really make my blog stand out. Please let me
know where you got your design. Appreciate it
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if
you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Howdy! I’m at work browsing your blog from
my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look
forward to all your posts! Keep up the excellent work!
Great article! We are linking to this great article on our website.
Keep up the good writing.
Fabulous, what a webpage it is! This weblog presents useful data to us, keep it up.
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. That is
a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra
of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly return.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior
to and you’re just too great. I really like what you have got here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way wherein you
say it. You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care
of to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to learn much more from you.
This is actually a terrific web site.
hi!,I really like your writing very so much! percentage we be in contact more about
your article on AOL? I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem.
May be that is you! Having a look ahead to peer you.
Usually I don’t read post on blogs, however
I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look
at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here.
I did however expertise a few technical points using this
web site, since I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it
to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement
in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and
marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more
of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you
update this again very soon.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content every day along
with a mug of coffee.
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something that helped me. Kudos!
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through
some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I
found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back
frequently!
This information is worth everyone’s attention. How can I find out more?
I have read several just right stuff here. Certainly
worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you set
to make such a magnificent informative site.
977378 4501Id need to have to verify with you here. Which is not one thing I generally do! I take pleasure in reading a submit that will make individuals believe. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark! 869882
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
I am quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the
next!
Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together.
I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time
both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of
the challenges. It was truly informative.
Your site is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!
825161 150939I believe one of your ads triggered my internet browser to resize, you might want to put that on your blacklist. 264705
808629 422142This sort of wanting to come to a difference in her or his lifestyle, initial usually Los angeles Excess weight weightloss scheme can be a large running in as it reached that strive. weight loss 497221
752495 794613Rattling clean internet web site , thanks for this post. 364627
Thanks for these guidelines. One thing I additionally believe is that credit cards featuring a 0 apr often attract consumers along with zero rate, instant endorsement and easy over-the-internet balance transfers, nevertheless beware of the most recognized factor that will probably void your own 0 easy streets annual percentage rate and also throw anybody out into the bad house in no time.
Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
Thanks for your exciting article. One other problem is that mesothelioma is generally brought on by the breathing of fibers from asbestos, which is a dangerous material. It is commonly seen among laborers in the structure industry with long experience of asbestos. It can be caused by residing in asbestos insulated buildings for some time of time, Genetics plays a huge role, and some persons are more vulnerable towards the risk as compared to others.
Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your
useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
Thanks for your tips on this blog. 1 thing I would wish to say is that purchasing electronic products items through the Internet is certainly not new. The fact is, in the past 10 years alone, the market for online electronic devices has grown a great deal. Today, you will discover practically any type of electronic device and tools on the Internet, which include cameras along with camcorders to computer components and gambling consoles.
It’s nearly impossible to find experienced people for this
topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking
about! Thanks
I will also like to express that most of those that find themselves with no health insurance can be students, self-employed and those that are jobless. More than half of those uninsured are under the age of Thirty five. They do not experience they are in need of health insurance because they are young and healthy. Their income is generally spent on housing, food, and entertainment. A lot of people that do work either entire or part-time are not supplied insurance through their jobs so they get along without owing to the rising valuation on health insurance in the usa. Thanks for the strategies you write about through your blog.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I feel that you must write more on this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but usually individuals are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
815247 214611I just now discovered your blog post and now Im remember to start with followers. 818266
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
One other important component is that if you are a senior, travel insurance pertaining to pensioners is something you must really think about. The elderly you are, greater at risk you might be for making something terrible happen to you while in most foreign countries. If you are never covered by some comprehensive insurance coverage, you could have a number of serious issues. Thanks for giving your ideas on this blog.
I liked as much as you’ll obtain performed proper here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you want be handing over the following. sick indubitably come further beforehand again since precisely the similar just about a lot regularly inside case you protect this hike.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thank you
If you are going for most excellent contents like myself, only pay a quick visit this web page every day as
it gives quality contents, thanks
Thanks for your tips about this blog. Just one thing I would want to say is the fact purchasing electronic devices items over the Internet is not new. In reality, in the past few years alone, the market for online consumer electronics has grown substantially. Today, you will discover practically any specific electronic device and other gadgets on the Internet, from cameras plus camcorders to computer elements and gaming consoles.
537189 407580The when I just read a weblog, Im hoping that this doesnt disappoint me approximately this 1. Get real, Yes, it was my method to read, but When i thought youd have something intriguing to state. All I hear is really a number of whining about something that you could fix need to you werent too busy trying to uncover attention. 973628
Thanks for the ideas you have contributed here. Also, I believe there are some factors that keep your insurance premium decrease. One is, to think about buying automobiles that are in the good listing of car insurance organizations. Cars which might be expensive are usually more at risk of being stolen. Aside from that insurance coverage is also in line with the value of the car, so the more pricey it is, then the higher the actual premium you only pay.
808573 417862When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Cheers! 770029
758689 70909I really like this info presented and possesses given me some type of resolve forpersistance to succeed i really enjoy seeing, so sustain the exceptional function. 256670
110484 11639After study several of the weblog posts on your personal website now, we really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and are checking back soon. Pls consider my web-site likewise and make me aware if you agree. 435435
976977 443124really nice publish, i surely love this web site, maintain on it 19048
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that
I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and
I hope you write again soon!
I think the admin of this website is genuinely working hard in favor of his site, as here
every stuff is quality based data.
Wow, that’s what I was seeking for, what a information! present here
at this web site, thanks admin of this website.
Hi there every one, here every one is sharing these knowledge, so it’s
fastidious to read this webpage, and I used to
pay a visit this web site everyday.
Keep on writing, great job!