Learning from the Negative Response to the Honey Pot Target Ad

There have been some people who are offended by a black female business owner (Bea Dixon, Honey Pot) stating in her Target ad that she hopes her success empowers and inspires young black female entrepreneurs. Perhaps this is a teaching moment if we pause and reflect on our true views of each other. Let’s consider what we are learning from the negative response to the Honey Pot Target Ad.

She wants to empower the next black girl with an idea.

Many of their comments suggest that by highlighting her racial identity and culture she is being divisive and racist. “Why does it have to be black women? Why can’t we just be women?” This negative response is the epitome of white privilege. Here’s why.

It is the operationalization of an institutionalized, systematic effort to make black women invisible. It mobilizes the consistent effort to embrace the “kind of black” that blends in and denounces the “kind of black” that stands out. And, It is the reason why saying you “don’t see color” is racist.

Additionally, it promotes the notion that my color is inherently bad or wrong. These statements insinuate that if you “saw” my color than you would not be able to accept me because you would be above me or better than me. No, privileged, white neighbors, you are not doing me a favor by ignoring how my characteristics are different from yours and thinking that is the way equity. Because, I am different. I have brown skin, curly hair, full lips, and a broad nose. And different does not equal bad.

I am different and different does not equal bad.

I noticed that these critics did not discount her self-identity as a woman who wants to inspire girls. Thus if being a successful women is a valid self description, because female does not equal wrong, then claiming her black heritage and being a successful black woman is as feminist and democratic, a statement that she can make.

So, this is an invitation to friends and neighbors who experienced a similar negative response to the Honey Pot Target Ad. Please see my color, see my gender, and stand beside me so we may shine together in our own unique and equally valuable ways. When we learn how to do this we will have learned the greatest lesson of all: how to vibe, shine and represent together.

For more information about developing a multicultural mindset explore my posts here.

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