Black Skin Matters Now: Band-Aid Says it Will Start Selling Bandages in Darker Shades

A whole damn century from the time it was first introduced, Band-Aid brand has finally come to the realization that black people exist, have skin, get boo-boos, and need bandages.

It only took a global uprising against the racist killing of black people for it to happen. Earlier this week, the company announced on Instagram that it will start offering Band-Aids in darker shades to show “solidarity” with the black community:

We are committed to launching a range of bandages in light, medium and deep shades of Brown and Black skin tones that embrace the beauty of diverse skin. We are dedicated to inclusivity and providing the best healing solutions, better representing you.⁣

“We hear you. We see you. We’re listening to you,” the brand added in the announcement. “This is just the first among many steps together in the fight against systemic racism.⁣”

If this is the first step, and it took so damn long for Band-Aid to do it, I won’t hold my breath for the rest.

I’m not the only one unimpressed by the brand’s sudden recognition that black people are consumers too. Black Twitter responded to Band-Aid’s announcement with a deep negro spiritual sigh, to borrow a phrase from Issa Rae:

Watching all these companies slowly realize Black people exist in real life is mentally draining. https://t.co/1c9ezAc9Yo

— #JusticeforBreonnaTaylor (@neecye) June 12, 2020

Mannnn bandaid can go to hell. I grew up my whole life think that’s just the color they make them. They could been did this! https://t.co/miZfyy4e6K

— Atira Lyons (@atiralyons) June 12, 2020

Others have been lifting up black-owned brands like Browndages and Tru Color in response to Band-Aid’s announcement, pointing out that black people have been creating melanin-colored bandages rather than waiting for mainstream brands to acknowledge that our skin matters:

You may have seen that #bandaid is FINALLY launching colors for black and brown people. What you may not know is that @browndages been selling them forever, is Black family-owned and operated. That’s who I buy from. Buy you Black band-aids from them. ✊🏾 #GrabYourWallet #BuyBlack

— SUCH (@Such) June 13, 2020

Dont celebrate BandAid’s attempt at diversity inclusion. Everyone is acting like this is so groundbreaking. TruColour has been around since 2014, been in Targets around the country for 2 years AND have black people on their leadership team. So plz support the ORIGNALS #TruColour pic.twitter.com/edfVEpwbdN

— allyson🖤wonderland (@helloallys0n) June 12, 2020

Will you be rocking Band-Aid’s new shades? Or do you think this move is too little, too late?