Why are people boycotting Boots? Are you?

[Deadbeatex]

For full disclosure I haven't seen the advert yet, but I'll probably end up searching for it if I don't come across it naturally during viewing in the next few days.

I've seen the #boycottboots and have worked out it's to do with their new Christmas ad. What's the issue? Are you boycotting Boots or do you think people are overreacting?

Randomly choosing the poll options simply because as stated I've not seen the ad so I don't currently have an opinion either way

YABU I'm boycotting
YANBU it's an overreaction

Is it? Drag queens? I've only seen it once and didn't give it much thought - apart from thinking the woman being Mrs Santa Claus was overdressed. Apparently, she is the actress who said that the RF on the balcony for the coronation was 'too white' or 'all white' without any idea that this a bit silly since they've been here since the 10th century, on and off and with the odd detour, and are European. I can't be bothered to deal with stupid and I think she was chosen because she is in Brigerton.

Ah. Maybe the same sort that claims they at risk of violence because someone got their pronouns wrong. Send them off to national service in a developing country . They should soon stop their whining. I've had people misspell my name or get it wrong . I don't let it ruin my day. Sticks and stones and all that .

Drag queens as some women feel mocked by them, and a black actress who some people have a problem with as they don't like a past comment she made or just have a problem with black people being represented on TV.
Take your pick, they've all spoken up on here and on other social media channels.

I think a great many women object to drag queens in much the same way as the actress in the ad probably objects to Minstrel shows (as do I, btw, and I am not black). I saw the ad once and could not work out what was supposed to be going on, tbh.

How is it a trans rights ad?
It's just got lots of people playing dress up.
Where in it does anyone claim to have changed sex, legally or biologically?
You're seeing something that simply isn't there.

Yes, I feel the same way. There is a paralell. One privileged group of people mocking a less privileged one, for sure. Men mocking women, blacks mocking whites.

I think you mean whites mocking blacks? Don't you?

I'm not boycotting Boots. Couldn't care less to be honest.

I am a black woman who has no 'be nice' left in the tank for racists or their enablers.

Snobby and privately educated... You appear to have gone from back tracking and pirouetting to leaping. Do be careful you don't hurt yourself.

I think you’ve jumped the shark suggesting whites are less privileged. Pop off back under the racist rock, there’s a good girl.

Probably the same people who used to complain that black people were underrepresented on tv.

Will someone please tell me what is so controversial about the Boots advert? It's festive, like a pantomime. I was unaware of any racist, sexist or anti-trans innuendo. Am I being thick?

Well, we only have your word for it. You can be who you want online darling. You do you.

Just seen the advert.

It's terribly trans.

@Phonomnomnom I read this post and thought I'd misunderstood; how can anyone genuinely believe white people are less privileged? She couldn't have meant that, surely?

@Socrateswasrightaboutvoting I'm a white woman and I feel so angry that this thread continues to highlight that racism is still so prevalent in our society. I can never understand how it truly feels but I want you to know that not all white people think it's OK (I'm sure you know that anyway).
As I said, I'm more "offended" she is a Mrs Claus but that's because I'm a woman in a man's world which is again not OK. I don't think we should be accepting that discrimination either (hence I'm a married Ms).
I stand with you.

I feel the same (white too)
So just wanted to stand up and say not in my name too.

It's just one way of getting a message through. If shops are hurt in the wallet, they may pay attention. It's not the only way, obviously.

Oops, sorry, it was me posted that and I meant to say whites (privileged) mocking blacks (less privileged). Just shows I shouldn't be typing away on MN when tired!

I meant to say whites (privileged) mocking blacks (less privileged). It was a typo made because was stupidly typing away on MN when it was late!

Mrs Claus is a black woman, and some people are losing their tiny little minds…

The fact that she is now one of the most famous actors in the world thanks to BRIDGERTON is neither here nor there apparently.
Bloody ridiculous.

I know, it's crazy isn't it ?

It’s a a fine advert, visually impressive. People are missing the main point that it is to flog Boots products - which are featured quite heavily. Some adverts leave you scratching your head as to what the hell they’re actually selling. Not this one.

Thank you for clarifying. Apologies for calling you racist based on that mistype.

I've just seen the advert and I don't like it. It gave me the impression I'm not Boots' target consumer and consequently it's made me feel differently about them. The sub text of their ad pushes a few of my buttons, and not in a good way, and it's too much sass for me (all a bit cringe). And the only "slay" I want in a Christmas ad is a sleigh pulled by reindeers.

Boots have taken a big risk with this ad. Sure, to me they appear to be aiming for under 30s "right-on" women, but they should remember that they don't just sell make-up and beauty products. Men and older women are in the market to buy much of their other products, so alienate them at your peril.

What I dislike:
The message that men (Santa in this case) do eff all at Christmas and it's the women that do everything may have an element of truth but I bet it'll piss a lot of men off. It's men Vs women in an already increasingly divided world, and ultimately, pissed off men are bad for women.

They've used SM beauty influencers. I hate SM influencers with a passion.

I hate marketing and I usually hate adverts as it's all about manipulation, and this advert conjures up images of a bunch of "woke" and right-on under 30s who have an agenda. They've ticked the gender non-conforming and pronouns box. Trans is such a contentious issue and they've taken a side if you like, and it's not one I share as so much conflicts with womens' rights to single sex spaces. Drag is another contentious issue, mainly among women.

I'm not bothered that Mrs Claus is black and Adjoa Andoh has charisma. But she has said something that has created controversy so not a neutral figure (tick that box for a bit more sass) and I bet the marketing team creamed their pants that she has a trans child. Tick that box too.

I love the M&S Christmas advert which is fun and clever, and most importantly for me, neutral.