In light of recent events, Band-Aid is launching a new line of bandages that reflect shades for darker skin tones.
“We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, collaborators and community in the fight against racism, violence and injustice,” Band-Aid announced on Instagram. “We are committed to launching a range of bandages in light, medium and deep shades of Brown and Black skin tones that embrace the beauty of diverse skin.”
In addition to their inclusive line of products, Band-Aid says it will make a $100,000 donation to the Black Lives Matter movement, reports CNN. While the brand believes it’s doing the just (and obviously right) thing, they were swiftly met with criticism.
Many social media users pointed to the Johnson & Johnson brand’s lack of inclusivity, which should’ve taken place 100 years sooner. They also noted the businesses that already offer adhesive bandages for Black and Brown people, Black-owned Browndages and Tru-Colour.
Too late!!!! I’m not buying these from BandAid 🩹 because the company Tru Colour Bandages been saw the need for different shades of 🩹and they have a diverse management team. BA is a J+J company and we’ve seen what their management team looks like.
— TABARI'S WORLD (@Tabaris_World) June 12, 2020
99 years after creating band-aids, Johnson & Johnson announces its offering a flesh color that doesn’t just match white skin.
Took long enough. Never too late. pic.twitter.com/4yYgidvJ2v
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 12, 2020
I think it’s a wee bit late for a big brand to want to grab the market share from what this small business did from the heart. https://t.co/Ic943ZcIlI
Black-owned, super cute styles for kids and classic if you like them plain, high-quality#bandaid
— Kat Burdick (@OnlyGoodLive) June 12, 2020
“I’ll stick with @tcbandages who have had a diverse offering for years. Shameful bandaid to try to profit off the communities they ignored for so long,” one user commented, according to People.
Band-Aid is the latest company receiving backlash for its performative allyship to the Black community. While real change is gaining momentum, several corporations are still missing the mark. Hopefully, they begin to take notes from the likes of Sephora and Ben & Jerry’s to show genuine solidarity.
