L'Oréal: Get Réal

BeyonceBeyonce, or L'Oréal for that matter, probably had no idea that an ad for hair color would cause so much controversy. I am an African-American woman and I work for TMZ. Yes, TMZ hires Black people.

I saw the new L'Oréal ad a few days ago, and it struck a nerve. There's still a stigma of Black celebs acting "too Black." This ad re-enforces that negative portrayal.

Why can't a powerful, talented African-American woman be celebrated for her natural beauty? L'Oréal claims they didn't change Beyonce's appearance, but who are they fooling? L'Oreal obviously wanted to make Beyonce look White.

The L'Oréal ad is disrespectful and dismissive to the Black community. And L'Oréal's explanation is lame.

My name is Nina and I approved (and wrote) this message.



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(Page 37 of 37) Previous 15 Comments

541. Number 530 beyonce is not mixed.You are a real dummy.Beyonce is all black just like simone said. Mina-number 530 you really dont know what you are talking about.Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo SHUT YOUR DUMB MOUTH.

Posted at 10:01PM on Aug 15th 2008 by TINA NJ

542. Excuse a couple [or a few] typos I was in a rush...(:

Posted at 3:23PM on Aug 17th 2008 by Jay

543. It's sad that we even have to answer these questions because you obvioulsy don't want to know since you so voiced your opinion in the final question in such an ugly way but for those of you who care to know one black persons opinion here are answers to the questions of 481

1. Why do African Americans get to have BET but, if there was a channel aimed specifically for Caucasians, its racist?

This is humorous because from working in the entertainment field I can tell you that television is not aimed at African AMericans or any minorities, except for certain programs. Most programs and product placements are aimed at 18-34 year old white males and most programs on TV have at least a 95% white cast. BET was started many years back when there wasn't a lot of black aimed TV programs around and it just stuck around. Just so you know BET isn't even owned by Black people it's owned by the Japanese! On top of that Gay women have their own channel called LOGO, Hspanics have their own TV called Telemundo, People from India have a Bollywood channel etc etc it's a culture thing, what's wrong with wanted to see your culture?? By the way, I'm black and I don't watch BET, I watch MTV, ABC and Showtime!!!

2. Why is it okay for you to call each other n*gger, but if a white person says it, all hell breaks loose.

It is not okay for anyone to call anyone the N-word. I don't care what color you are! It's an ignorant and derogatory word, my parents never said it, their parents didn't say it and when I have kids they wont say it! The ignorance of a few doesn't make the entire black community ignorant!!

3. Why do you get the NAACP, but whites cannot have a CACP?
Once again you should study history. The NAACP was started when there were not equal rights for Black people in the US. When we couldn't drink out of the same fountain, or had to sit in the back of the bus or couldn't even go to the same schools...the NAACP along with Freedom Fighters were instrument in fighting for equality as the Constitution states and they have stuck around because as long as their is a minority in this country they will need equal rights. However not all blacks agree with everything the NAACP does or stands for that's like saying all white people agree with everything the KKK stands for!!

4. Why do you get to have colleges tha are specifically devoted to your race but, if a college that is predominately white denies entry to an African American, its racist?

White colleges should not deny entry to an African Ameriican who has the credentials (high grades, SAT/ACT scores etc) to get into college. I feel this is an ignorant comment because Christians have their own colleges! Musicians have their own colleges!! By the way white people and other minorities go to black colleges and they even get minority scholarships for attending so it might be predominately black but they are definitely open to anyone and once again by the way I maintained a 3.8 in highschool, scored high on my SAT's and went to a music college that wasn't predominately black at all. It's a preference for some to go to a college where they feel comfortable I don't see why this should be knocked down or questioned!

5. Why do you spend all that money trying to achieve the looks of Caucasians if you truly believe that black is beautiful?

Are you kidding me?? Come on?? We could ask you the same thing! Why do you tan (it makes you darker) why do certain people get lip injections, why do you get butt implants, why do white people listen to Hip Hop or wear black owned clothing lines?? Sounds racist doesn't it!!! Because it is! I don't care what you do, why should you care what we do! If I want to wear a weave or dye my hair it's because I want to do it for me not because I want to look white!

6. Why do you feel Affirmitave action is a good thing? Don't you want to receive a job on merit and qualifications, instead of what color your skin is?

Affirmative action is a good thing for EVERYBODY even if you are a white man, black people and other minorities put it to good use (most of the time) that is the difference. Don't tell me you haven't seen the CNN specials where a white man and white woman go after the same job, the white woman has more experience and even a higher degree and still doesn't get the job!! Now imagine if the same thing happens to a black person or other minority! Well, it happens all the time! Affirmative action is there for ANY PERSON who is being discriminated against because of their race, gender, religion or sexual preference! It's 2008, it's no longer just a Black People thing!!

7. Why do you still pull the slavery card? Last time I checked there were no living slaves here in the US...so as far that is concerned NONE OF YOU WERE SLAVES. Get over it. You sold each other into slavery, no one came and kidnapped your people.

OMG!!!!!!! What black people are you hanging around?? The black people I know, including myself, do not play a slave card and could really care less about the whole mule thing and an acre! I don't want a damn mule I want a Mercedes and I don't want an acre I want a Penthouse, all that I earned by working my ass off from a JOB that I'm blessed to have!! You are right about one thing a lot of slaves were forced into slavery by other black people which means one thing.....ALL BLACK PEOPLE WEREN'T SLAVES!!!!!!!!!! Think about that one!! Once again this is one white person who listens to a few black people and thinks that those black people speak for all black people!!

8. Why do you continue to destroy each other on a daily basis, with gangs, drugs, and a slew of other morally corrupt activities?

Once again! OMG!!! This is just a comment of a really mean and ignorant person!! The black people I know aren't into drugs, gangs or morally corrupt! That is so offensive. I have been a Christian since I could breathe and a lot of black people I know are strong MORAL Christians, we don't do drugs and as far as I'm concerened I've never even known a gang member!! Don't believe all the hype you see on the biased news and TV oh and by the way you might want to do some studies and see where the crime rates are rising and what the race percentage of meth, cocaine and crack users are. I think you'd be surprised it's not comprised of predominantly black people!

9. Why do black men think its okay to refer to women as bitches and hoes?

It's not okay for ANYBODY to refer to ANYBODY as bitches and hoes and if you knew anything about a lot of the black women I know if someone called them that they would be punched squarely in the jaw or balls!! We don't like it! No matter what the rappers say!!! So get over your ignorance!!
10. Why aren't black women offended by the above?

read the above!!!

11. Why do you think everything should be handed to you on a silver platter when everyone else that is not black had to work hard to get everything they have?

Most black people I know and I know a lot (from being a military brat and living in three countries) the people I know believe the entire opposite. most black people were told we had to work harder than anyone else because nothing was going to be handed to us on a silver platter. NOTHING!!! Where are you getting this from?? First you accuse us of being drug using morally corrput people then you say we believe that we should be able to lie around all day doing nothing and have the world handed to us because we are black?? How insulting!

12. Why do I know that the next black person that reads this will give birth to a cow? Hmm...BECAUSE THATS ALL YOU PEOPLE DO! YOU BITCH AND WHINE AND COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW UNFAIR LIFE HAS BEEN TO YOU. GET A CLUE AND MAKE IT BETTER FOR YOURSELVES. YOU DON'T DESERVE ANYTHING MORE THAN ANY WHITE PERSON OUT THERE. GET OFF YOUR ASSES AND ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING. OR DON'T AND STAY IN THE GHETTO COLLECTING WELFARE AND SELLING CRACK TO EACH OTHER WHILE THE GANG WARS OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR CONTINUE TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR SELF APARTHEID. IGNORANCE IS PREVENTABLE PEOPLE, APATHY IS WHAT KEEPS YOU DOWN.

I want everyone to read the above because this is why affirmative action is needed, this is why the NAACP is around and everything else this person complained about earlier! You say the next black person who reads this will give birth to a cow because that's what "we do" well if you didn't want to know why did you ask?? Didn't think that there were any intelligent black people out there??? Not to mention the use of "you people" is downright racist and you know it! You get a clue, because you are right IGNORANCE is prevelant but it's prevelant in people who think like you! No black person around me lives in the ghetto, is on welfare, does drugs, particpates in gangs or seeks apathy! Nothing will keep me down except God! My foundation is built on God, I am blessed and pray for people like you who don't realize that they are racist or maybe you do know which means I'll just have to pray for you harder!

(sorry everyone this post was so long but number 481 asked a lot of questions and i felt obliged to answer them)

Be Blessed, Stay Blessed and Ignorance Kills so enlighten yourself so you can live!!

Posted at 5:47AM on Aug 22nd 2008 by JustSoSad

544. IT IS MISLEADING ANY WAY BECAUSE THAT IS A FULL FRONT LACE WIG AND NOT A GOOD ONE LOOK AT THE PART

Posted at 7:26PM on Sep 23rd 2008 by sarai

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