BBC removes article that says women who don't wear nail varnish might be white supremacists.

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/sep/30/bbc-removes-article-linking-bare-nails-trend-white-supremacist-standards-beauty

I think that's the gist.

It's so fucking barking mad I'm not actually sure.

Utterly bizarre that they would think that. My nails are bare because I bite them. I do paint my toenails though, so maybe I'm only racist on alternate days of the week?
Same.
Ive never had a manicure on my life!

So, just so I’ve got this right, if I go with plain nails I’m “co-opting” black/brown habits but if I don’t I’m rejecting black/brown habits and am therefore a white supremacist?
No, because it is utter bullshit!

I no longer get my nails gelled because it's too expensive and I'm worried about the chemicals. I expect that is the simple reason for the vast majority of women.

It feels more like a drive by nail salons/gel manufacturers to make you feel guilty for not having your nails done. Capitalism at it's finest.

Yes. My niece has this look. It's pretty common in her demographic in the city she lives in which is early 20s working class.

I was out and about in a tourist spot today and made an effort to notice women's nails to see if there were any demographical differences. I couldn't find any trends based on ethnicity - it seemed to be 50/50 across the board as to whether nails were bare or varnished.

The only demographic thing that stuck out was that no women with babies had decorated nails! Presumably lack of time and/or not wanting accidentally to scratch/poke the baby with long nails.