UN Women removes Valentine’s Day illustration of couples featuring lone black woman after criticism

‘We listened to what you said in the comments [and] decided to take it down,’ it said

(Twitter/UNWomen)

UN Women has removed a Valentine’s Day illustration from social media after it was criticised for featuring a range of couples, apart from a single black woman standing alone.

In the cartoon, which has now been taken down from the official UN social media account, there were three couples holding hands and hugging, leaving one woman excluded.

The woman is instead pictured hugging herself.

The image was first shared at the weekend, but on Monday morning, the UN Women Twitter account said: “We posted an illustration on Valentine’s Day, depicting love in all its diversity.

“We listened to what you said in the comments [and] decided to take it down. UN Women works for gender equality [and] empowerment of all women [and] girls regardless of age, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.”

It also posted a new GIF with multicoloured hearts and the phrase “love is love”.

The original post was accused of playing on the “strong black woman” stereotype.

Journalist Nadine White said: “Everyone else is loved up while the Black Woman is alone hugging up on herself? Flipping hell”. 

In the comments some accused the account of having “no black women involved” in the making or pitching of the illustration.

(Twitter/UNWomen)

Another asked for an explanation, saying: “Who is responsible for this portrayal of Black women? I’m speechless. Someone thought they would play on the ‘strong Black woman’ trope and thought we wouldn’t notice?!”

Another said it was “exhausting” to see such posts on verified social media accounts. 

One person said: “The fact that you left the Black woman out in the cold to love herself really accurately represents the historic and current way the world views Black women as unworthy of receiving love, doesn’t it? If that’s what you were going for, you nailed it. If not, seek antiracism help.”

“This is a very common depiction of Black women in the media. It’s almost like they don’t think we’re worthy of love,” said another. 

Although a small number of users attempted to defend it, saying: “Y’all it’s okay that a black woman can be alone and love herself. She doesn’t have to have a partner to be whole and happy. Stop projecting your narrow views about romance/love/happiness on folks who just want to celebrate themselves and their self-love.”

In an email to The Independent, UN Women reiterated the message it had shared on Twitter and added: “We hope that our social media channels continue to be an open and welcoming space for conversations.”