2016 has had to be a year of black empowerment due to disturbing times that African Americans are living in. Alas, it seems that the destruction of our race is eternal. In January, the CEO of Revlon made racist and brutal comments towards minorities, including African Americans. Lorenzo Delpani stated that he could "smell" a black person if one of us entered a room (source). As an African American who does purchase makeup, Delpani's words would motivate me to shop with Revlon's competitors.

Historically, African Americans have been controlled by white supremacy for a very long time and it is time to take a stand against those who still believe that minorities are inferior to whites. African Americans are facing harsh times today with issues including police brutality and appropriation of our culture.

Now, in addition to being brutalized and imitated, we are being mocked by someone who is the face of a corporation that manufactures beauty products that are supposed to be for all races. But, Revlon's CEO doesn't seem to think so. Lorenzo Delpani, who must have turned his filter off, also made a generalization about Jewish people "[sticking] together" and too expressed distaste for Americans (source). In lieu of these comments, I have a few questions for Delpani:

1. What do you have against minorities?

Explain what in your psychology causes you to believe that you'd be able to "smell" a black person.

2. Do I smell hypocrisy?

While you are expressing your distaste towards minorities and Americans in general, you are certainly ignoring the fact that some of your consumers are Americans, African Americans and/or Jewish people.

3. If you dislike America so much, why bother representing a multinational corporation?

If you don't like this country, there is no logical reason that you would represent a corporation that touches base in America.

4. Revlon has had some beautiful black models as the faces of their campaigns. Were you able to "smell" them too?

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My Conclusion On The Matter:

Beauty products are made for every single individual without regards to race or ethnicity. However, Delpani's slanderous statements make it seem as if Revlon is only for a certain demographic. His words will undoubtedly leave a bad taste in African American's mouths - making us think twice before purchasing a product with the name "Revlon" on it.

Moreover, this will not only upset the demographics his speech targeted, but it will also upset those non-Americans in the majority groups who are anti-bigotry and anti-xenophobia. As a CEO, Delpani's negative comments make him look bad and they reflect back onto Revlon. I guess Delpani was asserting his freedom of speech — although that's a law from a country he professes to disliking.

In spite of Delpani's mean-spirited comments, though, I will make this assertion: All races are beautiful. For the sake of my community, I must iterate that black is beautiful and Black Lives Matter — eternally.