Man's photographs of beauty products sparks racism debate on social media

Two photos taken in the aisle of a US supermarket has sparked a debate on social media, with many claiming the innocuous images perfectly sum up the everyday racism faced by black people.

With race, discrimination, and unconscious bias being heavily protested against across the nation, Twitter user Jesús A. Rodríguez has sparked an online debate after showing a picture of beauty and cosmetic products on a supermarket's shelves.

On one side, a selection of hair products can be seen on an open shelf, but on the other side, products aimed at African-American/Afro-Caribbean hair are locked away behind glass cabinets.

Sharing the two images to Twitter on June 8, Rodríguez captioned the post: "It’s more than just the police."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jesusrodriguezb/status/1270094935816110086/]]

The tweet has since been retweeted over 180,000 times, with many Twitter users pointing out how the two snaps perfectly highlight everyday racism.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/KyleSmeallie/status/1270114066980356096]]

Twitter user @KyleSmeallie pointed out the issue to another user, writing: "The products that are locked and chained up are the ones that are specifically targeted at natural black hair; implication being that the store owners expect black people to steal hair products."

One person responded to the images, saying: "Damn. all the times I’ve walked past this at Walmart and never even put two and two together. holy hell this makes me sad that I’ve never recognized all the little things. I’m going from this comment with my eyes perpetually open."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/analoguepilot/status/1270142494743855109]]

And another Twitter user pointed out her experience with the same issue:

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ksmith5200/status/1270151929948225536]]

However, some people hit back at the allegation that the stores were locking the items away simply because of a bias against black people, by explaining that most stores apply this security practice to the most commonly stolen items.

Twitter user @kabalzo wrote: "Yea this is victimhood gone too far. Former loss prevention officer at Wal-Mart. They keep track of high theft items so if something is behind glass it means it got stolen a lot in the past."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/kabalzo/status/1270336062162898946]]

And another Twitter user agreed, writing: "Stores lock up products that are mostly stolen. pregnancy test, condoms, plan bs & even in some Walmart's baby clothes are locked up as well. at my Walmart there’s a separate check out section for all skincare, makeup & a few other products. it’s not a race thing."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/QueeenTeee_/status/1270154235556925441]]

However, one Twitter user asked people to look at the deeper issue, and question why these particular products have been identified as the most-stolen:

"Let's acknowledge that the issue is not the stores locking up high theft products, but why those products are high theft. They are frequently stolen because people can't afford them, right? Why can't people afford them? They live in disadvantaged communities."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/muffinbutt0107/status/1270366571458945025]]

But one Twitter user's reply blamed the issue on more sinister intentions.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/sun_cel/status/1270342450381492224]]

User @sun_cel wrote: "I worked at a retail store that just opened that did this. The reasoning is not (as some people keep saying) "because these items have been stolen, so they do it to prevent further theft." This is done EXPLICITLY to keep black people from shopping in these stores."

This debate comes as unrest continues across the US, as protests are continuing to call out the systemic injustices carried out against black people - not least seen by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.

As well as a call for justice, these ongoing demonstrations - some peaceful, some violent - are demanding an end to police brutality and the racism that is so deeply entrenched in America and the western world.

The message is simple: Black lives matter.

VT proudly supports Black Lives Matter, and for ways to contribute to the cause, please click HERE.