NEW: Company removes ad, issues apology
New Thai beauty ad says being white is key to success
Thai professor explains country has long history of racism
It's hard to imagine anything more blatant than this.
A new Thai beauty ad claiming white skin is the key to success has unleashed a storm of criticism in Thailand, especially online, where people complain the ad perpetuates damaging, racist ideas.
"Just being white, you will win," says Cris Horwang, a smiling pale-skinned actress, in the 50-second spot by Seoul Secret, a Thai beauty company.
Without the advertised pill, "the whiteness I have invested in, will just vanish," she warns.
Next to her, another actress looks despondent as her skin is digitally altered to turn black.
Horwang promises that the product, called Snowz, "will help you not to return to being dark."
"Eternally white, I am confident," she adds.
On Friday evening, Seoul Secret pulled the video from its online platforms and issued a statement .
"(We) would like to apologize for the mistake and claim full responsibility for this incident. Our company did not have any intention to convey discriminatory or racist messages," it said.
"What we intended to convey was that self-improvement in terms of personality, appearance, skills, and professionality (sic) is crucial."
'Really ugly'
Skin whitening products are popular in many Asian countries including Thailand.
Yet that didn't stop viewers from reacting with repulsion.
"I think it's really ugly -- I couldn't believe this kind of ad is still coming out in Thailand," Yukti Mukdawijitra, a professor of sociology and anthropology at Thailand's Thammasat University, told CNN.
Mukdawijitra said the ad reflected a pattern of racism that's existed in Thailand for "centuries," in which lighter-colored skin has been seen as a marker of privilege and status within the multi-ethnic society.
Posted by tboixy
No comments: