So Sana Safinaz after a racist lawn campaign came up with a response where they stand by the campaign. PR game for Sana Safinaz seem to be really strong (well obviously!), Crisis management was done beautifully but they forgot some people ponder more than the others. In the response posted on Instagram the highly overexpensive brand talks about supporting “Maasai” people. Crisis management team for sure took an emotional approach towards the blunder they have made.
They have talked about “Ethical Tourism” and how the brand is supporting local projects in Kenya. The shoot for sure took place in Kenya but the team forgot to dig deep into the history of Maasai people. A little history lesson on Maasai people coming right up. Maasai people are the most authentic ethnic tribe of Kenya who are present in Tanzania as well making them East Africa’s most internationally famous tourist attractions. The government has planned wildlife tours where people can not only enjoy the majestic animals but they can also have a closer look at the Maasai’s and their culture.
Maasai culture promotes the concept of “boyhood” to adulthood and the importance of “warriors” is a source of pride for this tribe. On the other hand when we look at the pictures of Sana Safinaz it surely gives us a sense of “superiority” and “inferiority” as the model stands tall wearing her over expensive clothes while the Maasai man holds an umbrella for her. It surely gives an impression of Black slavery (which btw by now everyone is aware of).
Maasi community is unique as it denied the modern culture and its practices till date as they want to keep their culture “pure”. The community is very close to their animals and land as they find them to be sacred. Now the animals and the Maasai people both are used as props. However some of the Maasai people have moved to urban places leaving behind their homelands and have got secure jobs while the children who prefer can even get good education.
The brand for starters shouldn’t have taken such pictures as there are already problems going on around the globe for people with colour such campaigns are nothing but some “trying to be cool” failed attempt. It breaks my heart when I see black People celebrating their milestones step by step enjoying little wins and on the other hand it’s companies like these who are stepping over people to get some good “shots” or just a buzz around the internet. Cringeworthy!
