UN Women Takes Down Valentine’s Day Artwork Of Happy Couples & Lone Black Woman
Image via rafapress / Shutterstock.com
UN Women has removed its Valentine’s Day illustration from social media following complaints.
The illustration showed a Black woman hugging herself alongside loved-up couples. This led to social media users accusing the organization of perpetuating racial stereotypes.
The Black woman was pictured alongside interracial gay, lesbian and straight couples in a graphic meant to celebrate diversity in love on Valentine’s Day. The illustration was posted alongside emojis of different colors with the caption, “Love is equality. Love is respect. Love is love.”
However, many were unhappy about the decision to show couples of other races expressing love, except for the Black woman. Some questioned if the Black woman was “unworthy” of receiving love.
“Who is responsible for this portrayal of Black women? I’m speechless. Someone thought they would play on the ‘strong Black woman’ trope and thought we wouldn’t notice?!” a Twitter user said.
“This is a very common depiction of Black women in the media. It’s almost like they don’t think we’re worthy of love,” another said.
Several users, however, defended the cartoon, with one user saying, “Y’all, it’s okay that a Black woman can be alone and love herself. She doesn’t have to have a partner to be whole and happy. Stop projecting your narrow views about romance/love/happiness on folks who just want to celebrate themselves and self-love.”
UN Women has removed the illustration following the criticism. It tweeted, “We posted an illustration on Valentine’s Day, depicting love in all its diversity.”
“We listened to what you said in the comments [and] decided to take it down. UN Women works for gender equality [and] empowerment of all women [and] girls regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation,” it continued.
We posted an illustration on Valentine’s Day, depicting love in all its diversity. We listened to what you said in the comments & decided to take it down. UN Women works for gender equality&empowerment of all women & girls regardless of age, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. pic.twitter.com/GyMt9foapr
— UN Women (@UN_Women) February 15, 2021
This graphic was tweeted by @UN_Women for #ValentinesDay.
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) February 15, 2021
The Black woman is alone. The Black man isn’t loving her—this depiction eradicates the Black family, a goal of America for 400 years. pic.twitter.com/nXrKUy6foG
Everyone else is loved up while the Black woman is alone, hugging up on herself? Flipping hell. https://t.co/wzpRp4UNh6
— Nadine White (@Nadine_Writes) February 15, 2021
No Black Women (Or People) were involved in the making of this, obviously.
— Liam Rezende (@LiamRez) February 15, 2021
Who is responsible for this portrayal of Black women @SarahGilbertz ? I'm speechless. Someone thought they would play on the 'strong Black woman' trope and thought we wouldn't notice?! As Head of Social Media, can you clarify why the Black woman is alone in this illustration??!
— Noseymass (@NoseyMass) February 15, 2021
It's so exhausting pic.twitter.com/wJjQ0BwEEB
— Kimmymay 💚💚💚🖤🖤🖤 (@KimmyMayLeo) February 15, 2021
The fact that you left the Black woman out in the cold to love herself really accurately represents the historic and current way the world views Black women as unworthy of receiving love, doesn't it? If that's what you were going for, you nailed it. If not, seek antiracism help.
— Kalera Stratton (@nisslbodies) February 15, 2021
This is a very common depiction of Black women in the media. It’s almost like they don’t think we’re worthy of love pic.twitter.com/5ehqzqly5D
— rosechocglam (@rosechocglam) February 15, 2021
I find this graphic quite offensive depicting the black woman on her own and not loved by anyone and hence has to love herself. This is not what I expected from UN Women. There must be no woman of colour in your comns team because they would have picked up on this straight away.
— Amma Reid (@amma_reid) February 14, 2021
Y'all it's okay that a black woman can be alone and love herself. She doesn't have to have a partner to be whole and happy. Stop projecting your narrow views about romance/love/happiness on folks who just want to celebrate themselves and their self-love.
— Kirby (@Denf0) February 15, 2021
[via Independent, cover image via rafapress / Shutterstock.com]
