Band-Aid has vowed to ’embrace the beauty of diverse skin’ by launching a range of bandages that will match different skin tones in an effort to fight racial injustice.
The Johnson & Johnson-owned brand announced the new collection on Instagram on Friday while sharing a picture of the bandages, which include shades that better match the skin tones of Brown and Black customers.
‘We hear you. We see you. We’re listening to you,’ Band-Aid wrote. ‘We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, collaborators and community in the fight against racism, violence and injustice. We are committed to taking actions to create tangible change for the Black community.’
Baking changes: Band-Aid announced on Instagram on Friday the launch its new line of bandages to match different skin tones
Vow: Band-Aid said it was committed to creating ‘tangible change’ and launching bandages that ’embrace the beauty of diverse skin’
‘We are committed to launching a range of bandages in light, medium and deep shades of Brown and Black skin tones that embrace the beauty of diverse skin,’ the brand continued. ‘We are dedicated to inclusivity and providing the best healing solutions, better representing you.’
Band-Aid also shared that it will be making a donation Black Lives Matter, while acknowledging the company still has a lot of work to do while fighting racial injustice.
‘We promise that this is just the first among many steps together in the fight against systemic racism,’ the brand noted. ‘We can, we must and we will do better.’
The launch comes amid the worldwide protests over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, who died when white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
‘Finally’:While some appreciated Band-Aid’s efforts, critics insisted it was ‘too late’
A spokesperson for the brand told CNN that it is donating $100,000 to Black Live Matter, in addition to the $10 million Johnson & Johnson has committed to ‘fighting racism and injustice in America’ over the next three years.
Band-Aid’s adhesive bandages were invented in 1920 and hit stores a year later in 1921, according to the company’s website.
The brand released clear bandages in the 1950s but didn’t offer multiracial bandages until the launch of it’s ‘Perfect Blend’ line in 2005.
Band-Aid said the inclusive line was discontinued because of ‘lack of interest at the time.’ The Perfect Blend brand now features clear bandages.
Looking back: Band-Aid first released a line of multiracial bandages in 2005, but they were discontinued because of ‘lack of interest at the time’
Comparison: The company Tru-Colour has been offering a diverse range of skin tone bandages since 2014
Many people who were unaware that the brand had once offered bandages for a variety of skin tones felt like the new launch was too little, too late.
‘I am not impressed,’ one woman commented. ‘I am almost 50 years old and you are just now adding Brown tones to your product line? Miss me with it.’
‘It took riots, rage, and multiple police deaths against Black people for BandAid to acknowledge that non white people exist? LOL. SMH,’ someone else commented.
Others were happy to see the change, even if they agreed that it took too long.
‘FINALLY (after literally a lifetime of waiting). BAND-AID BRAND now was that so hard? Thank you,’ one Instagram user responded.
‘Wow. Finally. Forgiveness for taking so long, because you are responding with action,’ another noted.
One woman pointed out that another company had ‘already launched these’ while urging people to check out Tru-Colour, a line of diverse bandages that has been on the market since 2014.
Rainbow: Band-Aid’s new inclusive line of bandages comes less than a month after Crayola launched a new 24-pack of crayons that represent the wide diversity of skin tones
Inclusivity pack: Crayola’s Colors of the World pack includes 24 newly-formulated crayons that represent 40 global skin tones
‘They’re amazing. “Tru-Colour” bandages — diversity in healing” by Dr. Raymond Wurapa,’ she wrote. ‘It’s an entire line of bandaids and information at diversity through healing.’
‘I’ll stick with @tcbandages who have had a diverse offering for years. Shameful bandaid to try to profit off the communities they ignored for so long,’ someone else commented.
Band-Aid’s new inclusive line of bandages comes less than a month after Crayola launched a new 24-pack of crayons that represent the wide diversity of skin tones around the world.
The Colors of the World pack includes 24 newly-formulated crayons that represent 40 global skin tones, ensuring that every child can draw him or herself accurately.
The announcement was made in honor of the United Nations’ World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, with pre-sale beginning in May for a July release.