It was an ad straight out of the 1950s and caused quite considerable outrage throughout social media.
Bic South Africa came up with the genius idea to jump on the trending #WomensDay celebrations with an ad “empowering” message for women—clearly written by a really clueless man.
Kristen Stewart Talks Feminism—Dreams For The Future
Showing a smiling woman in a suit with arms folded, the message, which was posted on their Facebook page, read: “Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a boss #HappyWomensDay.”
I mean, where to start?!!!!
Look like a girl, act like a lady?!!!
Think like a man, work like a boss?!!!”
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Happy women’s day indeed—and can you go finish that washing up please girls, because your husband’s going to be home from his boss job soon and will need his dinner ready….
Not surprisingly, the ill-feted message was met with scorn and anger by many, with a slew of comments ripping apart the sentiment on Facebook.
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“Look like a girl?’ Because the infantilization of women and the sexualization of children is exactly the kind of blurred line we need!”, read one.
“Why am I expected to look like a child? Why am I expected to see the world through a masculine lens? Why am I expected to ‘think like a man’ but not expected to ‘act like a man’ on my so-called manly thoughts?” read another.
And Twitter set alight too.
“What fresh hell is this...srsly, ‘think like a man’...*stabs eyes out with bic pen*” tweeted feminist activist Caroline Criado-Perez
Spice Girl Mel B Says She Wouldn't Call Herself A Feminist
“How do men think? Is it different to women? Maybe if I use a Bic product I'll find the answer,” snarked @Ellen27
“*facepalm* @Bic_SA #youredoingitwrong “ wrote @DarkHelmet46
"Why can't I look like a girl act like a lady think like a woman and work like a boss? I'm confused @bic_sa?" asked @jadeinthecity
Shaileene Woodley Doesn't Know What Feminism Means
"@Bic_SA That sexist image should have never gone out. #NotBuyingIt “ vowed @RepresentPledge
“Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a boss. Advertise like a sexist - #HappyWomensDay to you too @Bic_SA” wrote @StephMoor
YouTube Pulls Little Girls' F-Bombs For Feminism Ad
"Dear @Bic_SA please help. My little girl fingers can't handle your man pens. What should I do?" Quipped @Anne-Hirch
And so on and so on….
Bic SA eventually took down the offensive ad, and issued an apology:
Let’s start out by saying we’re incredibly sorry for offending everybody—that was never our intention, but we completely understand where we’ve gone wrong. This post should never have gone out. The feedback you have given us will help us ensure that something like this will never happen again, and we appreciate that
Hang on a sec…. sorry for offending “everybody” was the intention to only offend “some people”?!!!!!
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Anyway, let’s take a second to appreciate some girls and women, who look like girls and women, act like girls and women, who are capable of thinking like girls and women and of being the goddamn boss all at the same time…and all without a penis.
Almost unfathomable, yeah?
Women are doing it for themselves! The top feminist icons
Bell Hooks: American author known for her social activism in the areas of oppression, women’s rights and race. In one of her best known works, The Feminist Theory, she declared, “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression”
Angelina Jolie: Actress and humanitarian who has donated millions to causes she believes in. She has given decades of work
as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador....
Betty Friedan: American writer and activist who wrote The Feminine Mystique —often credited for sparking the second wave of feminism in the ’60s and '70s. Friedan spent her life working to establish women’s equality, helping to establish the National Women’s Political Caucus as well as organizing the Women’s Strike For Equality in 1970, which popularized the feminist movement throughout America
Aung San Suu Kyi : Political Prisoner and chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma.
Coretta Scott King: The wife of Martin Luther King Jr. also devoted her life to civil rights—and in equal measure, to women’s equality. She helped found NOW (National Organization for Women) in 1966 and played a key role in the organization’s development. She was also notably the first woman to deliver Harvard’s class day address
Lena Dunham: The American across, author, writer, director and screenwriter was the first women to win a Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Director in a Comedy Series. She’s an outspoken feminist and speaks eloquently on the subject, “Feminists believe that men and women should have the same opportunities. If you are a feminist you believe in equal rights as a whole. That’s not a concept you can really shoot down.” And, “Feminism doesn’t mean women are going to rise, take over the planet, and like cut off men’s testicles.”
Malala Yousafzai: Received the Nobel Peace prize at age 17 for her ongoing fight for girls' education...
Beyonce Knowles: Multi millionaire recording artist, dancer and actress, says, "I guess I am a modern-day feminist. I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are?
Why do you have to label yourself anything?"
Elizabeth Ann Warren: American academic and politician, who is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Fervent defender of civil rights and women’s right to chose, vocal backer of Planed Parenthood
Caitlyn Jenner: Shone the spotlight and raised awareness for the every day struggles of transgender people
JK Rowling: Her Harry Potter series had made her a billionaire, and it felt like she was responsible for getting a whole generation of children reading again.
Gloria Steinem: Probably the most famous face of feminism, Steinem is an American journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader and spokeswoman for the feminist movement in the late 1960s and early '70s
Lisa Randall: A theorectical physicist. She is an expert on particle physics and cosmology. Helping in the understanding of many fields of study, she is best known for her contribution of the Randall-Sundrum model.
Ellen Page: The American actress is outspoken when it comes to her views on feminism and gender equality, “Feminism always gets associated with being a radical movement—good. It should be. A lot of what the radical feminists [in the 1970s] were saying, I don't disagree with it," Page once said
Nicki Minaj: Millionaire singer and feminist, says, "I just want women to always feel in control. Because we're capable - we're so capable."
Oprah Winfrey : Oprah is a self-made billonaire and hugely successful business woman, media proprietor, TV show host, producer, actress and philanthropist
Ronda Rousey: The first and current title holder of UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion
Maya Angelou: The American born author worked tirelessly throughout her 86 year life to inspire both women and African Americans to overcome gender and race discrimination
Barbara Walters: The American journalist was the first female co-host of any news show, going on to become the first female co-anchor of an evening news broadcast, paying the way for not only female workers in journalism, but but women in the entire workforce
Caroline Criado-Perez: The Brazilian-born British activist and journalist is an outspoken feminism, actively involved in campaigns for women to gain better representation in the British media and to be depicted on banknotes
Taylor Swift : Love her or loathe her, you've got to give her props for achieving so much at such a young age. She says, "Never believe anyone who tells you that you don’t deserve what you want."
Hillary Rodham Clinton: Candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. President, and former United States Secretary of State in the administration
of President Barack Obama
Madonna: Love her or loathe her, Madge has spent her entire career pushing the limits of women and embracing sexuality through her songs and music videos. She’s also a tireless worker, and mom-of-four—writing, singing, dancing, acting, directing and managing a non-profit organization
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Ella Gabriel @iamellagabriel
Happy #WomensDay to the women who are still fighting for the most fundamental human rights. And to all the rest.
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MTV ZA @mtvza
MTV would like to wish all our female followers a very Happy Women's Day! #Womensday
AmnestySouthAfrica @AmnestySARO
#WomensDay In South Africa.
Remembering the sacrifices of the past and fighting for a better future. #womensrights
Appletiser ZA
@AppletiserZA
To all the extraordinary women of SA, we raise a glass to you! Happy Women's Day for Sunday. #WomensDay
