I could not believe my eyes. I could not believe the print ad.
"Look good in all you do."
It is for a salon in Canada. Sounds ok, right?
However, the woman in the print ad is seated on a couch and clearly a victim of domestic violence. The ad intimates "Domestic violence is ok...as long as your hair looks good."
Did the salon owner make a mistake? No.
She says she'd do it again. You can read about it here: http://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/29/salon-defends-controversial-ads. You can also see the print ad. I did not want to post the image on the blog.
Clearly this salon owner does not think she has any clients who are victims of domestic violence -- or any employees. Because if she did, she would take it much more seriously.
I am guessing she hasn't taken advantage of the training and resources offered through the "Cut It Out" program that teach salon professionals how to recognize the signs of abuse in their clients and how to direct them to resources in the community.
I am mad. I am sad. I am thinking of the people she sees everyday who wear the scars of domestic violence on the inside and she does not realize that when she helps them "look good in all they do" -- she could also be helping them in so many other ways.
"Dorothy" eloquently explains (much better than I ever could) why "Look Good In All You Do" is a really bad idea: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/08/31/domestic-abuse-ad-stirs-dark-memories.
There are a lot of things in life to use to make an ironic statement. Or to take lightly.
This just isn't one of them.
UPDATE: Since I wrote this post this morning, the salon owner has apologized. She's also indicated that if someone comes into the salon with the print ad, she'll make a donation to a local domestic violence shelter. So perhaps some good - and some good conversation - has come of this. (You can read the update here: http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110830/edm_salon_110830/20110830/?hub=EdmontonHome)
4 comments:
Kind of really sad and pathetic that anyone would use it to sell, sell, sell...let alone a woman. :( Glad that maybe she's seeing the light, a bit, and trying to at least make some good out of the crap she tried to sell. xo
@Miragi - Thank you for your thoughts - and SO good to see you :-) Kim
This is why society does not take domestic violence seriously as it does other causes i.e, breast cancer. It's a shame that a woman who works with countless of women everyday does not value her customers or have compassion towards those who are victims of survivors.
We all need to do more.
Great post.
Brooks - thanks so much for your thoughts. We indeed have a long way to go to take this issue out of the dark and into the light so people take it seriously and make it "their business." Thank you for making it yours. ~ Kim
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