These Are The Most Tone-Deaf And Insensitive Ads Of All Time

Dove’s Before-And-After Ad Was An Affront To Women Of Color

Photo credit: Mario Tama/Gettty Images

Dove launched a print ad in 2011 for its Visible Care Body Wash that many thought was racist. The background of the ad featured close-up photos of a person’s skin. The “before” image showed dry skin, while the “after” image showed smoother skin. The foreground of the photo featured a black woman, Latina (or Middle Eastern) woman and white woman.

The black woman was lined up in front of the “before” picture, while the white woman was in front of the “after” image, and the Latina woman was in the middle. Many consumers took that to mean that if you use Dove products, your skin will gradually get lighter.