Cadburry and Naomi Campbell are about to come to figurative blows over Cadburry referencing her as “Chocolate” in their newest ad campaign. The ad features a Cadbury chocolate bar surrounded by jewels with the saying:

“Move over Naomi, there’s a new diva in town.”

Naomi Campbell and her mother are both fuming over the ad, labeling it a racial attack. “I am shocked. It’s upsetting to be described as chocolate, not just for me, but for all black women and black people. I do not find any humour in this. It is insulting and hurtful.”

Naomi’s mother, Valerie Morris, spoke on the issue and is as concerned as her daughter:
“I’m deeply upset by this racist advert. Do these people think they can insult black people and we just take it? This is the 21st century, not the 1950s. Shame on Cadbury”.

Some are suggesting that Naomi and her Mom are both overreacting to the ad. Citing that in the African American community being labeled or compared to chocolate is no longer an insult. Rather a compliment about one’s complexion being beautiful, dark and smooth; similar to chocolate. Others immediately saw the racist undertones and I can understand why they would. Black women are the only ones who are constantly judged, scrutinized, over our skin tones, body parts, personalities, hair. We are also constantly compared to inanimate objects. No other race of woman is constantly dehumanized. We are the only ones who are constantly picked apart and trivialized. Some may feel that this is a form of envy from other races and find it complimentary. While others, Naomi included, find this type of behavior insulting. I tend to be as equally critical of my sistas as I am protective over them, so I get it.

Was There Implied Racism In The Dove Ad?

We have good reasons to be guarded. I have never heard someone refer to an Asian woman in ad by saying her skin was “yellow like a Peep Chicks Candy” and I never will hear women of other races being talked about in that way. Black women are the only ones who are constantly dehumanized publicly in some form and it is accepted. It is accepted because on some level, in our society, Black women are second class citizens and this makes it acceptable for us to be regarded in any way that anyone deems fit.

I get it Naomi. Naomi has revealed in the past that she was often teased for her dark skin tone when she was a child. Obviously she is still suffering from wounds that have not quite healed. Not to mention that skin tone is still a very sensitive subject in the Black community. Especially among Black women, who often are judged and assigned levels of beauty based on their skin tones and other physical attributes. The common consensus is the less “Black” you look, the more beautiful you are considered to be.

But wait, I also get the contrasting side to this argument. Naomi is… For lack of a better word, a bi**h. She is a beautiful woman but nonetheless; she definitely is not known for her sunshiny disposition. She always has and always will be characterized as having a nasty demeanor. A reputation that she has earned over the years by having several explosive temper tantrums and a nasty mouth. Having this type of reputation makes it difficult for anyone to take her seriously once she claims she has been targeted in some way. It also makes it even more difficult for anyone to have extended sympathy for her. In the moment, once you hear what happened to her, you think “Aww, poor Naomi”. But then she opens her mouth and you say “never mind”. In other words, because Naomi is known for her diva antics, we tend to dismiss her complaints often. I have noticed that many of the comments on other blogs in regards to this incident have been dismissive towards Ms. Campbell. Most people using her drama queen behavior as their reasoning.

Regardless of her diva reputation, Cadburry should have gone through the proper channels in order to use her brand in anyway. So for that, they are 100 percent in the wrong and should be held accountable. As far as comparing Naomi to chocolate bar, that is left up to the individual to decide as to whether it is insulting or complimentary. I have said this before, Black people have years and years of internal hate about our own skin tones, noses, lips, hair etc. Clearly, Naomi is not excluded from having these same internal battles. So for that, I empathize with her on the Cadburry issue. However, she still is a b**ch. Love you Naomi.

Is it offensive to refer to Black women as “caramel” or “chocolate”? Is it only offensive when people of other races use those terms?