As Black History Month is upon us, brands and companies are trying to honor it in their way.
Popular fragrance/soaps/candles and lotion brand Bath & Body Works faces backlash for their BHM collection.
The company unveiled a line of products with Kente Cloth designs on them. Seemingly with good intentions, they welcomed customers with the statement, “Celebrate Black History Month.” It continues,
“Inspired by joy and empowerment, this collection unites traditional African art with modern-day motifs designed to uplift and inspire,” according to the retailer’s website.
Unfortunately, some Black Twitter users didn’t like it. One user said, “Why I’m thinking Bath and Body Works have a new fragrance, and it’s the same fragrance only in kente cloth colors.” Take a look:
Bath & Body Works really switched their packaging to a Gullah Gullah Island theme and said, “Here ya go, niggas!”
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@DollarBeKnowing) February 2, 2022
Bath & Body Works said pic.twitter.com/DL0vZbCI3T
— BIPOC Shakur (@_Cordelra_) February 1, 2022
Bath and body works said "Look we do care about niggers" pic.twitter.com/fwP2IXq3Kj
— ✨ Kennessy The Goatess (@wittlegoat) January 31, 2022
Bath & Body Works this month pic.twitter.com/88Kfbc6XvM
— Lew 👑 (@39Lew) February 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/wickedwitchofky/status/1487965046487535620?s=21
Hey @bathbodyworks for Black History Month, instead of using African Print on your CURRENT popular scents 🙄 why not tap into actual products the BLACK community would flock to…like your DISCONTINUED coco shea line..or even partner with a black owned vendor pic.twitter.com/a6PXvNdZze
— MeMe. (@shawtyy_do_wop) January 31, 2022
If any of y’all are planning on purchasing any “Black History Month” items from Bath & Body Works, PLEASE unfollow me rn! All these amazing black-owned candle and body care brands and y’all wanna support a company that put kente cloth colors on the same old scents 😒😒😒
— Char 🌻 (@simplychar___) February 2, 2022
We know yall have seen the controversy around Bath & Body Works and their Black History Month collection… Don’t forget to support Black-owned candle brands this month 🤎 pic.twitter.com/V5Rw475zgM
— BLKessence (@blkessenceco) February 2, 2022