In response to the 'racist' Tresemmé advertisement aired by beauty and health retailer, Clicks which labelled black people's hair broken and dull, South Africans have started the #ClicksChallenge on social media. The challenge entails rocking natural hair and no weaves for the next couple of months. This call to action has gained a lot of momentum on social media and we're seeing more and celebrities taking part in the challenge.
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The latest celebrity to join the challenge is SA's most-loved rising star Makhadzi. The songstress took to her social media to share snaps of herself with no make-up and her afro and she looks amazing. Actress Gugu Gumede also took to Twitter to show off her popping skin and natural hair.
Following an outcry from angered and disappointed citizens to remove all Tresemmé products from their shelves. The retailer has promised to remove all products related to the America haircare brand and have suspended all employees involved in this whole thing. Today Clicks closed all it's doors nationwide and have offered counselling and support to their staff following the outrage from the public.
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Prior to Clicks promising to cut its association with the brand responsible for the ad, current Miss Universe titleholder, Zozibini Tunzi took to her social media to slam clicks for airing the ad. "Not only is this disrespectful to black lives, it is also evidence of an absence of representation and diversity within the organization." She wrote. "And we are talking about South Africa with a population of about 80% black people (stand to be corrected). No ways."
Another Zaleb to weigh in on the whole thing was Somizi aka Somgaga. Taking to Instagram, the Idols SA judge explained that this kind of treatment has continued for years and years because we've allowed it to happen
It's not worth protesting for him He said that there's a little bit of truth in what Clicks has said and that is people treat you the same way you treat yourself.
Our is naturally thick and rich and what they showed is how our hair looks because it is damaged by chemicals and the white people hair that they showed natural, saying that we are hurt because they have told us what we do not want to hear. However, this doesn't make their ad right as it was clearly racist as they could've used damaged white people hair and black hair that is not damaged. For Somizi, the moral of the story in this whole thing is to be careful of how we treat ourselves.
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Picture Credit: Instagram/Makhadzi