BBC removes article linking nude nail trend to ‘white supremacist beauty standards’ | BBC

A BBC article which claimed the nude nail trend was linked to “white supremacist beauty standards” has been permanently removed from its website, after editors concluded it did not meet the corporation’s editorial standards.

The article, which first appeared on the BBC website on September 27, examined an apparent “viral craze” for bare rather than decorated nails. According to the newspaper, this trend is flooding social networks and fashion catwalks.

He also noted criticism of the trend, suggesting it could “stigmatize bold manicures.” The article noted that nail art had its roots in the Black, Latino and Asian communities.

In an early section of the article, it quoted beauty journalist Kristina Rodulfo as saying, “This trend really promotes emptiness and this kind of sameness and erasure of culture and identity that is so important to black and brown communities.”

“They are often referred to as elegant or tasteful and these are often euphemisms that perpetuate white supremacist beauty standards. »

Later in the article, Rodulfo was again quoted as saying: “The examples are almost always white women or celebrities…(and) they often confuse class and taste with this nudity.” »

The BBC initially removed the article from its website on Tuesday after the article sparked criticism from media outlets in the United States, particularly from the political right. The company said it was removed “pending editorial review.”

However, the BBC has since confirmed that the article has been permanently removed. Bosses concluded that the article did not take issue with quotes linking bare nails to white supremacy, nor any context in which such views would be considered extreme.

A Wall Street Journal article said the BBC article was “embarrassing and retrograde – displaying an outdated intellectual fashion – in its attempt to locate infractions against social justice in women’s individual decisions whether or not to paint their nails.”

He said: “When you see someone dressed up for a costume party, you notice how conspicuous that person is. The same goes for the BBC’s attempt to stir up outrage over the semiotics of nail polish.”

The New York Post, part of Rupert Murdoch’s media stable, also published an article criticizing the article, as did Fox News.

A Telegraph opinion piece also attacked him. “I’ve had some rude awakenings in my life, but being told I’m a white supremacist before I have my coffee? That has to be up there,” wrote Celia Walden, a writer.

On its corrections and clarifications log, the BBC said: “This article examined the bare nail trend and what might be driving it, hearing from a wide range of contributors as well as examining the cultural significance of manicures. It was removed on September 29 pending an editorial review.

“Following this review, the article was permanently removed the same day because it reported criticism of the nude nail trend without sufficient context or challenge and therefore did not meet our editorial standards.”

The BBC did not reveal who made the decision to remove the article. However, the company’s deputy chief executive, Rhodri Talfan Davies, was appointed to the new role in order to head off possible editorial squabbles that plagued the leadership of former chief executive Tim Davie.

Matt Brittin, who replaced Davie, also wanted to have a deputy to support him on editorial matters, given his lack of television and editorial experience.

The BBC is still facing legal action from Donald Trump over the way an episode of Panorama edited together two parts of a Trump speech. Although the BBC apologized for the editing, it always maintained that the documentary did not defame the president.