Horror of Horrors

Let's begin by establishing this: people come in aaaaalllll different colours, shapes and sizes! Variation and diversity are normal. These are good things. Pretty elementary information, no?

Unfortunately, we live in a world that a. equates beauty with whiteness (and operates on heavily Eurocentric discourse) and b. supports economic systems that rely heavily on commodification. Not surprisingly, then, there are countless products and services that exist at the crux of these facts: skin lightening creams and eyelid surgery are two perfect examples. None of this surprises me anymore (though it does make me shudder).

Today, I received a link that did surprise me. My New Pink Button: a "Simple to use Genital Cosmetic Colorant that restores the 'Pink' back to a Woman's Genitals". For the price of approximately $30USD you can purchase your choice of "Bettie", "Ginger", "Aubry" or "Marilyn" and enjoy a pink-tinted vulva for 48-72 hours.

Honestly? Seriously? Is this for real? VULVA DYE?

Obviously this product and its entire marketing campaign is founded upon horrendously racist, ageist (etc. etc. etc.!!!!! !! !!!) discourse and assumptions. I need to state my disgust at their use of the term "restoration" -- the marketing of a return to better, pinker times (eyeroll). Establishing The Pink not only as something to aspire to but as something that we all once had and should strive to re-attain. Vulvas come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Pink is not the "natural" pigment. Some are never pink. Some are. Some are, then aren't. Most vulvas change with time. This is not a bad thing.

I could go on, but I'll let you check it all out for yourselves.

A relevant video can be found here

- Vivian