natural girl’s reading list: L’Oreal sued for racism in French high court
Wowowowowow…
L’Oréal, the French cosmetics giant, whose advertising campaigns proclaim “because you’re worth it,” was found guilty of racial discrimination for considering black, Arab and Asian women unworthy of selling its shampoo.France’s highest court was told that the group had sought an all-white team of sales staff to promote Fructis Style, a haircare product made by Garnier, L’Oréal’s beauty division.
The word went out that Garnier’s hostesses should be BBR — “bleu, blanc, rouge” — the colours of the French flag. The expression is widely recognised in the French recruitment world as a code for white French people born to white French parents, a court was told, in effect excluding the four million or so members of ethnic minorities in France.
La Cour de Cassation, the equivalent of the US Supreme Court, said that the policy was illegal under French employment law, upholding a ruling given by the Paris Appeal Court in 2007.
The judgment was a significant blow to the image of the world’s biggest cosmetics group, which has spent millions of dollars in global advertising campaigns featuring stars such as Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria, Penélope Cruz and Claudia Schiffer.
(L’Oreal’s) image already suffered a battering when L’Oréal executives were forced to deny claims that they had lightened the singer Beyoncé Knowles’s skin for a campaign last year.
The ruling also hinted at widespread prejudice among French shoppers since L’Oréal believed that they were more likely to buy shampoo from white sales staff, the court was told.The ruling will fuel anger among black and Arab French people, who complain that they face widespread discrimination when seeking employment.
source: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article6572173.ece
When will women of color — and especially black women — achieve “beauty equality”? Why are we considered less attractive and, in the “beauty” industry, less marketable than other women? This shit really really BOTHERS me!
What do you guys think of all this?
I agree with some of the theories in Dr. Frances Cress Welsing's Isis Papers.. I'm not going to go into detail about it (it may be too controversial for the purposes of this blog) but… Africa is the richest continent in the WORLD, as far as natural resources go.. and basically it's simply hateration on their behalf. Historically, White people have been the conquerors of lands and cultures… and have successfuly turned everyone (even ourselves) against us. It's sickening, but not surprising. We must continue to educate ourselves to unlock the truth.
Now, I'm not saying all White people are bad.. hell, I have White friends, but they acknowledge and recognize the cultural desecration carried out on the behalf of European people. People need to really be aware that racism is not dead, and never will die.. for the simple fact that, there will always be some kind of animosity between the conqueror and the conquered.
this is really disgusting, shame, idk what to say, well see how they try to market to black women after the trial, i wanna see if black women will keep buying thier products. which is more importaunt our self-esteem, dignity or having our curls looking right??
Wow… though if that would happen anywhere, it would be France. I KNEW that Beyonce ad was lighter than it should have been.
Guess I'll be doing away with my Garnier Fructis shampoos & conditioners.
Ugh, I don't even know what to say here… It's 2009 and were STILL in this place, I just don't get it. Especially because L'Oreal does use many women of color in their ads, and not just celebrities. That minority women, who in fact are the MAJORITY all over the world, still have to deal with this kind of discrimination just infuriates me.
And yeah that beyonce ad was super light, with a crazy blond weave and red lipstick… I remember thinking it looked NOTHING like her.
I will not be buying any of their products! Including the brand Soft Sheen Carson!
Honestly, from a neutral point of view, race or no race, it is their company, and their company manufactures their products so they makret and sell to whoever they desire.
Maybe if we took some time to learn more about ourselves, our history and our hair, maybe if we loved & respected ourselves more to acknowledge that they really don't want us using their shyt and we don't need their shyt either ( we can make our own out of natural, healthier,cheaper everyday produce) this won't be a big deal.
We know this for a fact, but everyday we still choose to give them our money, which of course they will gladly take, when they don't even consider us as customers?!?!?!
Children of Africa, Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds!!
Sad. I just bought some stuff last night on a 3/$10 sale.
Guess I know why they had a sale.
I say speak with your dollars (or currency). Just found out Loreal owns The Body Shop too.
I'm not surprised.
I agree with ZAG: u hate what u envy, deny the beauty of what you truly desire, but feel inadequate toward…We're so "undesired" but tanning salons abound, collagen injections are the craze, people get butt implants, and HIP HOP IS EVERYWHERE. But I'm supposed to believe that I'm ugly???? I find beauty in all races: Beyonce is something serious, but so is Gabrielle Union (and tons of darker skinned beauties whose names I don't know, but you've featured on this site) Rosalind Sanchez is a fine latina, Lucy Liu is beautiful, and so on. U get my point. I've seen beauty in all races, shapes, and sizes. But I won't buy cosmetics from a company that believes my beauty isn't worth enhancing. Screw 'em…
And this kind of discrimination here is the reason why I left France. I was born and spent most of my life there and I still didn't feel like I fit the "French image of beauty", i.e. A size 2, no arse, blonde hair and light eyes. I am glad that this has been finally brought into the public eye because too often racial discrimination goes unpunished because the victim doesn't have enough proof or they are called paranoid. I hate to say it, but when it comes to racial equality, France is not doing a good job. I still remember being discouraged from pursuing careers such as pediatrician, speech therapist and other high-paying jobs while my white classmates were praised for their choices.
You will find more minority in the French media nowadays but they still remain just that "minorities".
Yeah I'm never buying their stuff again, don't think I ever bought anything but the garnier fructis…a year ago LOL. How can they defend against an ad that so blatantly looks like THAT! I'm curious what Beyonce thought about them lightening her to such an excessive proportion and why? Damn I need to be a fly on that wall…possibly at the end of the day its just money for the celebrities.
I'm going to avoid their products. I'll look up all of their lines and I won't use any of them including Garnier and Fructis. There are lots of other companies and I use a lot of natural stuff anyway.
just thought you guys would want to know exactly what products & brands are behind the Loreal group:
Professional Products: L'Oréal Professionnel • L'Oréal Technique • Kérastase • Redken • Matrix • Mizani • Shu Uemura Art of Hair
Consumer Products:L'Oréal Paris • Garnier • Maybelline New York • SoftSheen-Carson • CCB Paris
Luxury Products: Biotherm • Kiehl's • Helena Rubinstein • Shu Uemura • YSL Beauté • Giorgio Armani Parfums and Cosmetics • Cacharel cosmetics • Ralph Lauren Fragrances • Diesel Fragrances • Paloma Picasso fragrances • Victor & Rolf parfums
Laboratoires: La Roche-Posay • SkinCeuticals • Innéov • Sanoflore • Ombrelle
The Body Shop The Body Shop
Dermatology Branch Galderma Laboratories
hope this helps. THERE ARE ALOT OF GREAT BRANDS HERE! But I don't think i can keep supporting them.
Tsk, L'oreal. The Beyonce thing was okay because I believe Beyonce is light skinned but I'm so glad I stopped buying Granier…! But I saw a black woman in one of their adds for super curly hair.
I think blacks will gain beauty equality once blacks realise they are beautiful and learn how to take care of their hair. Blacks conform to what whites consider beautiful, so of course we will not have beauty equality.
I am french and black but i prefer saying i'm african.
In France black people (african and carribean), asian and arab people (this is minorities people in France) we don't exist.
Too much discrimination : job, tv you don't see much minorities people not all a lot like in US.
L'Oréal can be punished for discrimation it won't change minorities situation in France. really, only caucasian still be the best beauty others beauties dont' matter.
Ms Crown of Hair wrote how it happens in France sometimes i want to leave this ### country because of this "hidden" racism.
I'm French too like Jessy. And She said rights things.
In France, they don't give a chance to black people.
That's why many arabic or blacks went to Canada or United States and others.
And I want to leave this country very quicly…
(Sorry for my english !) :p
when are we as black people going to wake up and stop making these big companies richer. they don't care about us! you can lighten your skin, your hair and straighten it, but you are still a black face to them! they will even put out a product with your face on it, but it's just to take your money. buy black products or make your own that will actually help your hair and skin. it's another wake up call, answer it.
I like your blog and i'll stop back again.
scott
bothers me too.
In another blog (that I also enjoy, I'm not knocking it down), the writer asked whether or not we would continue using L'Oreal's products (she loves their products and is also black). My answer was "HELL TO THE NO." I don't care how great your product is. If you think that I'm less of a person because of my skin color, then I'm not going to hand over my hard earned money so that you can spit on me.
It's the same thing with companies that test on animals. I don't care how great your product is … if you have to torture an animal then it's not worth it to me.
Beyonce' is damn near clear as it is. who's bright idea was it to lighten her even more. we can't all look like Haley Berry! black people come in numerous shades and that's what makes us special and unique. why do black celebrities continue to let them do this to us? she should have stood up for herself and said this was unacceptable. I've never used L'oreal products because I always thought they catered to white consumers.
that cover actually is a pretty bad photo shop job.. thats not even beyonces damn head.. Ill try & find the original box with a caucasion woman on the cover.. its a damn sham.. everyon eelse has said everything already
Oh my word, that Beyoncé picture was like wow! I hadn't seen a comparison pic till just now! it's crazy! Racism in France is nothing new, neither is institutionalised racism, it's just a shame that in this day and age, we're still having to fight these stupid battles! God didn't create some people to be more equal than others on any level, we were all made in HIS image. If they don't want us to use their products then let them keep them! it's not the end of the world for us. for all my PJ sistas, one less product = one more step on the road to recovery! lol but seriously, I think it's ridiculous that this nonsense is still part of our society. If you're gonna boycott their stuff then boycott it well! if not, it's just another thing to shake your head at and just move on. They'll get theirs, they always do!
DermaBlend is also owned by L 'Oreal.
Hello,
First , I'm quite surprised to see some people here turning this into a criticism of the French. I have lived in France for 7 years, in about 7 different cities around the country and up to now white people have always been most appreciative of my natural hair and the styles I can do. It got to the point where some of my classmates were actually telling me they liked twists, or twist out, or afros better. White people's response to my natural hair have always been more positive than that of Black people (even family) who kept asking me when I was gonna relax it. I have also lived with older French person , and never once have I felt a hint of racism. Last but not least, I am quite happy of the opportunities I've had her in particular getting into a grande école ( top French schools) has been quite one of the best things I ever experienced. I guess that having lived in various African countries have given me some perspective about what can be considered hard or difficult. One thing is sure, truly having multiple cultures (French and Fulani),as well as speaking African dialects has made me able to love both culture and establish my own esthetical values.
About L'Oréal, its founder's close relationship with far right movement and Nazi oficials during WWII is well known and documented. One former senior executive even went so far as to steal the property of deported Jews. That they would have discriminatory requirement policy does not surprise me in the least, although one of my friends ( also Black) has been sought after by some of L'Oréal staff who wanted her to work for them. I'm a bit confused by the Beyonce story, since it seems to me that she ( like other AA celebrities) has kept getting lighter over the years…
Will I boycott them? I'm not sure, I make my own products so I do not need to buy theirs.
Thanks for reading this.
@Lalla:
For the last time. AFRICANS DO NOT SPEAK DIALECTS!!!!
We speak LANGUAGES!!
Goddamnit
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