by
Black Girl With Long Hair
For those who are unaware, Kohls is a major American department store. They revealed this “Ghetto Fab” (their words, not mine) wig for Halloween that makes you look like….. you’re natural? The tag line is “The disco-inspired Afro style of this adult wig makes it perfect for your festive outfit.”
I love the way they conflate “disco”, “festive” and “Afro” with ghetto. o_O When I think “Ghetto Fab” I think candy-colored weave… not a curly head of hair. This was clearly conceived by someone who has no clue about black culture.
At the end of the day, I looked at all this with a mystified expression and asked myself, “Who does this?”
What are your thoughts?
87 Responses
Looks like Kohl’s should be the target of a letter-writing campaign and some unwanted publicity! Is the “trailer (get ‘er done)” wig next to the “ghetto fab” wig?
I didn’t mean to offend, just making a point but how many more times will my people be offended because of thoughtlessness?
It is offensive that they would use the name ‘ghetto fab’ for a wig that looks like our natural hair instead of something more innocuous like ‘curly wig’. I do have to say, though, that the wig is very cute. It’s just sad they would look at a hairstyle as nice as that and see it as something to demean.
Ghetto Fab?! What’s ghetto about it. They could easily call it Disco wig to not offend anyone.
http://mesliensweb.blogspot.com
I sent out a plethora of letters and email. Hopefully we will all make a big difference. I think one of the best things we can do it to wear our natural hair in it’s natural state regularly, from bantu knots, to braids, to braid outs and buns. Just stop allowing them to influence us with their limited sensibilities.
Bump this!
Everyone needs to forward this to ALL media outlets. Let’s show this country that racism, and stereotyping is well alive.
The more we complain, the easier it is to prove our point: America was founded upon racism, and it will always be about race and ignorance; the good old boys pass down their ways to their fulture generations.
WTFrizz….. unacceptable
I can’t even say I’m surprised as I’ve reached the point where I am never surprised when black people become the butt of some corporate joke, just saddened that it keeps happening over and over again. I don’t see anything in that wig that would make it a “costume”. Its a nice style. By putting it in a costume category- even worse, by labelling it “ghetto” all that Kohl’s have done is given people another excuse to try to invalidate our natural beauty.
Not to go back to old stuff (from Monday), but I just found a statement from buyseasons.com – the company that is shipping out all of these wigs – and the CEO seems to believe it’s ok to sell this tastelessly named wig. So much so that he says, “‘Ghetto fabulous’ is a slang term. It is not a derogatory term. It’s used by the younger generation,” Getz said.” He would know, right? WRONG.
Check out the article.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/105402358.html
I am offended.
You know I saw this a few weeks ago when I did a search on curly afro textured hair and ALL of these halloween sites popped up. It’s sad which is an understatement it makes it difficult for so many of us to accept our hair in it’s natural state. Not that it should make a difference but it is still hard to try to come off as having a “professional” image if you decide to wear an afro to work or to an interview especially if this is the image or thought that comes to mind that natural curls are just ghetto. I’ve been natural for about 10 yrs or more and whenever I wear my hair in its natural state I get rude remarks like what happened to your hair.
Thanks to all of you, and Vaughn R…Thank you sister, I find this very offensive. I’ll be sending a some emails…it’s still online with the same title, I just googled it !
@Majilyric that was a great letter.
Here’s part of what I wrote them. A bit stinging, but I do believe that no only hitting where it really hurts (the pocket) is necessary, but helping people to understand the equivalent if it were vice versa is important as well.
…While it’s understandable that you market your items based on what some potential buyers might want to use them for, to show such insensitivity and lack of social regard is unacceptable. It’s also very telling that there are no “Trailer Trash”, “Pillsbury Dough Girl Dry” “Stringy and Oily” or “Useless Mall Rat” wigs to describe ones that could easily fall into that category such as the “Alice”, “Classic Braids”, “Discorama Mama”, and “Bad Girl”.
…There is nothing “Ghetto” about natural curly and super curly hair. Just as there is nothing inherently trailer park trash about flat/straight hair. So, as long as wigs such as “Ghetto Fab” and the like exist with their current names, you’ll find that your sales will decrease, as there will be a continuous campaign to remove them from large retail outlets until they are renamed something that shows more respect towards Black/African American women.
@ A
You’re right. That is just as bad. I always thought the whole racial stereotype costume was really bad. Like a few years ago the “illegal alien” costume. I think the Jesus costume (used in an offensive manner) is bad to.
Google white trash costume wigs…they do exist.
Thank you guys for not just complaining but taking action!!!
I am going to email the actual distributor as they are the ones who should be changing the name. Thanks guys for the info
Hi all–
I just want to thank everyone for being so proactive in getting this matter resolved!
I believe I was actually the one who discovered the wig on Kohl’s– a friend and I were browsing the site for halloween costumes a few days ago and found it, and immediately started sending emails, writing facebook and twitter rants, as well as sending news blasts to certain blogs and media outlets.
Never did my friend and I imagine our efforts would snowball into such an event, but I am glad it did. People need to realize that things like this ARE NOT OKAY. And what message would we be sending if we were silent rather than proactive?
Waking up Monday morning to see my efforts from the weekend become posts on various blog sites was amazing! Seeing how many people sent emails, wrote reviews and made phone calls made my heart glad. I love that we had pride in ourselves, took some initiative and got things done! Now let’s keep up the momentum and bring about some change!
Be blessed. x
+1
Thanks for sharing!
My daughter (age 3) rocks the mini version of that ‘do saw the picture and now she wants a headband.
😛
I emailed the costume company this
Hello,
I am emailing you in regards to the wig you call “Ghetto Fab”. You probably have gotten several complaints over the title of this wig already, so I really don’t want to repeat a complaint with “I am offended”.
Rather I would just like to say during Holloween people like to dress up from ugly scary monsters to sexy Arabian desert princesses. Though I understand the sensitivity, I don’t neccesarily feel dressing up as “ethnic” characters is bad… we have all dreamed about being Native American warriors, Latin salsa dancers, English royalty, African Pharaohs, and Japanese samurai. We were once children, that’s where our pure imagination took us. We are adults, that’s where our imagination still may take us.
Where things go wrong is when negative words try to describe these unique and specific to culture experiences. Though “disco” and “Afros” may have been heavily popular with, actually popularized by, Black-Amerricans (please note “black-americans”, I am not someone who believes that blacks around the world share the same culture), it was not “ghetto”, a negative word to desribe lack of proper class/etiquette. Also having curly hair itself is as natural as having naturally straight hair therefore describing it with “ghetto” is hurtful that sadly leads millions of people from black to white to asian feeling insecure about their bodys to a point where they feel it is a defect and something they will even risk pain to hide, and the self-hate/shame may be passed to the next generation..
The woman in your picture is very pretty with the curly wig. Perhaps maybe ill even use your wig to explain how I want my hair dyed whenever I decide to dye it. It’s really is a cute wig.
The words you used to describe it though is hurtful. I wear my hair curly because naturally thats what my hair does. I am far from ghetto and I really wish that people understood that my naturally curly hair does not describe my etiquette any more than someone’s eye color.
Thank you.
Ladies, I will be calling Kohl’s Corporate Offices in the morning to complain.
Kohls Corporate Headquarters
262 703-7000
Thank God for the “I love my hair” song on Sesame Street. The irony is this song was created by a white guy who has an adopted daughter from Ethiopia. Can’t paint everyone with the same brush!
The wig has been REMOVED from their site!!! The people have spoken and our voices were heard!! This is a significant victory…I feel exhilarated :o)
I just went to their website and the pic is still up but it says that the item is not available. I’ll check again in the morning and see if they live up to their word.
On a slightly different note, this can be used as a marketing opportunity for the natural community. If Kohl’s received a significant number of complaints from the natural community they could see that we are a force to be reckoned with.
Uhh, I wear my hair like that… to my job… in corporate America… for years. I’m almost at a loss for words because I’m not understanding. Wow… a fro is ghetto… wow. Just, wow.
+1
I am a little raw on this issue at the moment anyway. I just had a 30-something Moroccan man try to educate me, a Black American lady and attorney with ten years of experience in the court room and beyond, on why an afro is not professional or appropriate for legal work. I have worn one (or some natural variation) every day of my career and had no problems. He only knew I was an attorney and because I look quite young assumed I was fresh off the turnip truck and in need of his “guidance.” I had to set him straight. (Calm and cool, of course.)
Side note” My mom is shocked when I tell her things like this. She says she thought that her generation had already fought this fight for us and that this would be a non-issue. Not. so. much. Sigh.
Kohls is selling this at http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/costumes/accessories/wigs/PRD~726936/Ghetto+Fab+Wig.jsp#BVRRWidgetID
Why do we still live in a society where people would think this would be okay?
this was all wrong and a big mess.. the post says it right, whoever named and described this wig has NO CLUE about black culture at all
What the hell??? So not key
A representative from Kohl’s called me back to say the ad is being removed (as others have been told). She was very apologetic (of course), and said that Kohl’s should have modified the name, and is at fault for not considering the implications. I told her I thought the wig was adorable, and it was sad that such a derogatory message was being sent to young children whose natural hair was like this. blah, blah, blah, yaddi yaddi yadda.
Regardless of how they constantly make it seem like we’re offended by everything, I feel like in these instances we have to be. Making us feel abnormal and ghetto for simply wearing the hair we were born with is unacceptable. I’m happy that so many people pushed forward to make the call – a lesson in proactivity.
I also called spoke to a woman named Lorelei(?) at California Costumes. For some reason, I don’t think enough people are bothering her yet. Send them emails, and make some calls! 5 minutes goes a long way peeps.
its actually quite offensive hmph!
well it says its not longer available on the kohls site…and it was an internet exclusive (according to them) so i doubt you’ll find it in kohl’s stores…its still being sold all over the net though
For those who wrote letters and called, thanks for the feedback ladies! @ LB, I’m not surprised that the item did not come directly from Kohl’s. I’m curious as to who is the actual distributor? They also need to get the message that the title wasn’t cool.
@Leo the Yardie Chick, I feel ya! I can’t say I’m offended….I’m more confused about the distributors definition of “ghetto fab”. A friend of mine actually has natural hair + color like the wig’s. At the end of the day, this ish is getting so old! If it’s not a wig being called ghetto fab, it’s a psychologist justifying saying the “N-word”, or a radio talk show host calling black women nappy headed ho’s OR it’s a well known singer justifying why he doesn’t date black women by using a KKK leader as an analogy. Ugh! So sick of it!
California Costume Collections, Inc.
210 South Anderson Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
T 323 262-8383
F 323 262-3561
E cc*@****************es.com
Shall we?
Yup!
Hey Guys! Its not from Kohls! Its some California company that has it all over the internet!
This is the contact:
California Costume Collections, Inc.
210 South Anderson Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
T 323 262-8383
Its on amazon, sears, buy.com, all over the place!
blonde wig as in caucasian style…
I asked if they would like someone to come out with a blond wig and call it the “white-trash porn star d**k-sucking whore” wig. I could’ve used some restraint and tact, but then again so could they.
I linked to this story… thanks for sharing. And it’s starting to eat at me. I showed co-workers and they were like, “Girl, that kind of looks like your hair.” And it does. I’m not laughing.
I just called to complain and was told that it’s going to be removed. I’ll check back later to see if that was actually done. This is ridiculous!!!
Sorry about that. THEY AREN’T THE ONLY ONES! Do a Google Shopping search for “ghetto fab wig” and you will see others, a black colored one and a blond one. ALL of them are equally disturbing…ESPECIALLY since they are actually kinda cute w/o that crazy name.
Who is the manufacturer?????
THEY AREN’T THE ONLY ONES.
WTW….Ghetto? Yes, I’m offended! They are basically saying that the curly afro is some how ghetto. What is their definition of ghetto?
Are they for real? I’m going to call and complain. Ridiculous!
So, ladies, I called corporate & the rep said they’re taking it off by the end of the day. She seemed as though she was offended as well.
I just called the corporate office. So unfortunate that this cute wig has to be titled in such a derogatory manner. I’m wondering if they would consider putting up a long blonde wig and calling it the “White Trash” wig. I’m guessing they won’t. Why? Because people would find it offensive, go figure.
Corporate office 262.703.7000
Ask for marketing or advertising for internet.
Hi all…I called Khol’s corporate at about 10a today. I just called back (at about 3:30p EST) and they are in the process of removing this item from their website. I found out that this product was not an item directly related to Khol’s, it’s from a distributor. I pointed out to them that they have four pages worth of wigs, and its unfortunate that of those dozens of wigs, this one is the only one named so derogatorily. I was apologized to profusely on both phone calls. I think they ‘get it’. I assured the rep that I was not at all offended by the wig, I think it’s beautiful, I am more so upset by the naming of the product and the underlying message it sends. Let’s take a collective sigh, shake our heads and hope Khol’s does the right thing by removing the pic online (as they promised), and go a step further and remove it from store shelves (as I suggested).
Peace.
Lynette
Don’t get mad, get direct.
Corporate Headquarters
Kohl’s Department Stores
N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Phone: (262) 703-7000
Kohl’s Department Stores
Vicki Shamion
Vice President of Public and Community Relations
262-703-1464/ Vi***********@***ls.com
I am slightly offended by the wig. I believe it is far from ghetto. They may want to re-think the name of the wig.
Unbelievably offensive! If everyone posting here sends a letter to Kohls, they might listen. Here’s the address:
Kohl’s Department Stores
Corporate Headquarters
N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
It’s gotten to the point where I’ve grown numb to these shenanigans, but still. ‘Ghetto Fab’? *le sigh*
I WENT TO THE WEBSITE AND EMAILED THEM AS WELL! I was disgusted
I just sent an email as well. This is just ridiculous. And I won’t be spending one red cent in their store. Not that I spent any money in there anyway, but you insult my hair texture and think I’m going to support you?!?!?! You must be smoking! I suggest that the natural hair community consider a “selective shopping” campaign. We may not get them to change, but they know that we know they are shady.
I just called and complained.
NOT GHETTO! JUST CURLY! Jeebus! Why didn’t they just say “minstrel wig”
Yeah I definitely wrote a letter…how dare they????Aren’t we beyond caricaturing cultures and differences? I need for them to have some sense and sensitivity…disgusted
Wow…I just bought this wig yesterday for my costume (lol @ chantels commnet. That’s who I’m dressing up as) and I DIDn’t get it from Kohl’s (I got it from a local costume store). The name is blatantly ignorant,yes, but it’s a freakin’ Halloween costume wig. I can understand being upset at the way they chose to label it because they could’ve been smarter, but to take it any more seriously than that is beyond me.
I rock a curly ‘fro (though not nearly as big…YET) but I was so bothered by this that after reading, I immediately went to the Kohl’s customer service website and wrote a letter. I really think the company should reconsider the name and/or availability of this item. I am urging everyone to do the same.
Yeah…that’s terrible. I’m very offended. Ghetto? Really? Wow…I don’t know what more to say. It’s sad, actually
My thought is that we let any media folks we know on nation wide news know how we feel and they should cover this story. Each person needs to contact our sisters and brothers of color at the major outlets: CNN, MSNBC et. all now.
ditto..to all the comments. Offended, insulted, annoyed!!!
who’d they run this by before it came to market???
Wow. So offensive. ‘Mainstream’ culture up to their old tricks. I have no words to express the sinking feeling this gave me when I saw the title. Just a feeling of sadness; which is the objective.
I commented on another site about this and the name of this wig is offensive. I think it’s actually the name the manufacturer gave the wig, not just Kohls (not that it makes it an better). If you google “Ghetto Fab wig”, there are other retailers that sell it with that name. I have seen this same wig sold by other Halloween store retailers but it’s called an ‘afro wig’. I don’t know why anyone would look at it and call it a “ghetto fab” wig. If I saw someone wearing it, I would just think that it was a curly fro, not some “ghetto fab” hairstyle.
Shoot that wig is CUTE….now the name of it is ignorant….they don’t call the straight hair hippy looking hair “trailer trash hair” so whoever came up with this is extemely ignorant….
That being said….I’m on the way to Kohls to get me one! 🙂
I think it’s a seriously misbegotten attempt at being hip. Often times, whites (let’s be serious, we know it’s them) use slang that’s contextually inappropriate for them (e.g. ghetto fab). When people of color use phrases toward each other, we know the when, why, who, what, where, and how to apply them. The light bulb never goes on for whites when they culturally appropriate such phrasing.
In other words, they don’t know a damn thing about slang that they do not invent and should not use it.
I’m with Robby. Someone needs to explain this nonsense.
Ghetto, festive, disco?? What? I wear my hair like that often…and it’s neither about ghetto-ness nor disco festivities for me.
FB is on FIYAH! I got my friends OTP as I type this…such stupidity should not be allowed to even EXIST
This item was made by ignorant white people for ignorant white people.
How about we write them reviews? I just submitted mine, titled “I would suggest renaming this product.” My message:
“Disco-inspired Afro” does not equal “ghetto fab.” This name choice is the equivalent of me calling a straight blond wig “trailer park fab.” How about “70s fro” or “curly fro?” Even “disco fro?”
The site says “Please note, it may take up to 72 hours for your review to appear on Kohls.com or any social network you have selected.” We’ll see how they respond.
Additional comments would probably help! Just Google “Khol’s Ghetto fab wig”
oh noooo… Kohl’s, WHY? They have great sales and I really like the Daisy Fuentes line of clothing, but this is just ridiculous. They should have asked us. We could come up 20 alternative names, easy!
Fluffy Curly Wig
Bouncy Flouncy Wig
Big Perm Wig
Fluffy Fine Wig
Um….what is ghetto about it. Hell my hair looks like that sometimes and I’ am far from “ghetto” that is a damn shame like really and the sad thing is they probably didn’t know they offended a lot of people or if they did they simply didn’t care. I think the wig is cute but I wish people would stop using the term “ghetto” incorrectly, a ghetto is a place or state of mind not what one look like..smh
The wig is cute but I find it to be offensive. It’s as if they are mocking curly afro hair. Not only did they call it “ghetto” but they put it on a white model. What would make someone think that having an afro is ghetto?
I actually left a comment on the page (I used the review feature to do this). Seriously, I need their marketing department to do better. I am rarely offended by racial issues but because this one actually did offend me (with the term ghetto and afro in the same sentence) I felt like I should probably say something).
Maybe if enough of us say something they’ll rename it. They need to.
I don’t get offended my much but I find this to be a very negative association with natural black/afro hair. I want to sign a petition to change the name!
I just looked up their number and called and complained:
Corporate Headquarters
Kohl’s Department Stores
N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Phone: (262) 703-7000
There are a lot of afro/dreadlock wigs out there for halloween (which is kinda offensive enough as it is), but to call it “ghetto”? Wow.
NONE of the ghetto girls I know rock natural hair, and none that I’ve seen on the south side of chicago who’d be considered ghetto do either. A multi color, gelled down, spiked, waterfall, finger waves, rooster ponytail on the other hand…….fried died and laid to the side YES…afro? no
but still, how offensive is that? Ghetto fab….because it’s curly and in a headband? how is that ghetto fab?
http://www.socialitedreams.com/
All bull aside I think they totally missed the mark with the name of this wig… Then again since Kohl’s sells multiple products from different manufacturers as well as their own brands I can honestly say that this does not convince me that I shouldn’t shop there. It only demonstrates their lack of understanding how to effectively market this product. I mean you have to think about who the target market for this wig is (people without our various hair types who could care less what the name is).
PS this kindof reminds me of the whole Foxy Cleopatra look Beyonce did in Goldmember
This is crazy. Seriously, crazy. I had no idea hair could have a socio-economic status. I just posted this link to facebook, as well as commented on the Kohl’s Wall (we’ll see how long it stays up there) and plan to write a letter to customer service. I had no idea hair could have a socio-economic status.
What the hell? This is ridiculous. I want the name of the copywritter who is responsible for this.
Agreed @Brwnskinbella84… Its one thing to be a wig, which is fine, but to title the product “Ghetto Fab Wig”… actually its a contradiction… to be “Ghetto” is not synonymous with “Fab” … I’m just confused all the way.
Wow! As a young, African American woman who has natural hair & wears the curly afro quite often, I find it tasteless & offensive. Natural hair shows pride in your culture & for me it is a platform to say that I do not have to confine myself to America’s standard of beauty. Black is beautiful
I am offended. I already don’t shop there much and after this, I don’t think I will at all.
I blogged a little about it:
http://www.myhairisme.com/2010/10/calling-kohls-out-wtf.html
::sigh::
2 steps forward = 6 steps back
wow. and the wig is cute! makes me wanna see it in real life…but ghetto fab???? c’mon son…that is so wrong…the wig looks fab! but ghetto? 1st to me ghetto is an attitude, and it describes certain actions…but how is a wig that looks like regular natural hair considered ghetto? surely not all women with this type of hair are ghetto.
by the name i thought the wig would have 50-11 different colors and be half spiked and half laying to the side all 27-piece-esque…
i’m insulted.
I find this offensive. Was “Afro curly wig” too simplistic?!