Sarah Silverman wants brands to stop calling their 'exclusively Caucasian' products 'nude'
Sarah Silverman has a bone to pick with how certain household items are labeled — and she’s calling for more diversity.
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The comedian took to Twitter to point out that products like pantyhose and bandages come in shades marked as “nude,” though the peachy-beige tone really only applies to some white people.
“I can’t f***ing believe that there are still ‘nude’ bras and nylons and Band Aids,” she wrote. “If you are a company still using nude to describe an exclusively Caucasian shade in 20motherf***ing19 you need to change now or go tha way of zee dinosaur.”
It’s not the first time colorist terms like “nude” and “flesh-toned” have been called out for excluding people of color. It’s one reason why Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty makeup brand has won raves for offering dozens of shades to suit a diverse range of complexions.
Even so, many commenters hit back at Silverman’s suggestion, insisting that the limited offering of shades wasn’t an issue, or a “first world problem” at best. Others, including Sex and the City actor Willie Garson, chided her for taking up the cause on the day of the New Zealand terror attack.
Silverman fired back at the negative feedback, telling one commenter that “seriously it’s like amazing how many (exclusively white) people can’t [think] of any other word for ‘nude.'”
It’s amazing how many thoughts and feelings I can have- like how you spent time responding to what you (White) think is trivial. I’m a comic I have lots of thoughts and ideas all the time Toots
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 16, 2019
No I can do whatever I want wheeeeeeeeee – stay big picture. Anyone else wanna tell me how to navigate life? Brett your adorbs😜😜😜
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 16, 2019
You truly can not think of anything but nude to describe it? Peach? Caucasian? Beige? Good grief Kitten! ♥️
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 16, 2019
Despite the criticism, Silverman’s tweet did resonate with followers who identified themselves as women of color. Many shared their own “demoralizing” struggle to find products in shades that suited their darker skin, while some white women empathized with the problem.
I’m a woman of color who grew up not being able to find items—make-up, band-aids, stockings, whatever—that matched me and it’s not only demoralizing, it’s insensitive. If you grew up in a society that continually diminished your worth, you’d know this isn’t just about a damn bra.
— Tiffany “Impeach Cobbler” Michaels (@Theophania333) March 16, 2019
When I was at my most tan, the only nude bra I found that matched my skin tone was a random, discontinued one I found at TJ Max or Ross. Thankfully now Nubian skin exists and Target has a better range for different skin tones than any other affordable department store!
— Erika Fermina (@astylepixie) March 16, 2019
You’re too smart for most of Twitter
— Jacob Lawrence (@Suquamish359) March 16, 2019
As a white person, I was pretty annoyed when my bra company stopped making the shade that matched my skin. I can only imagine what it must be like for women of color who can never find their “nude” shade anywhere.
— ςara δelahan (@sarandipt) March 16, 2019
YES!!!!!
This has always annoyed me. Bandaids especially. Why is that color the standard? People annoyed at you just don’t get it. POC deal with this BS every everyday. It may seem small but 100 small things are overwhelmingly hurtful.— Electra Cute (@ArtDeity) March 16, 2019
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