MAC Rodarte Collection – Juarez Killings

I can honestly say without any doubt in my mind that I never imagined myself writing this post. When I started this blog it was a way for me to talk about pretty things, makeup, how to keep skin beautiful and all that fluffy, girly stuff. How did I end up sitting down and researching such a horrific subject and putting it on this pretty blog?
Surely the people in product development at MAC were asking themselves the same question when they were coming up with their latest collaboration with design company Rodarte? How did they come up with the blood red blushes with names like Ghost Town ad Factory and not stop to think “This feels like it could come across in bad taste.”?
To give you a quick run down on a situation many of you already know something about, Rodarte sent a collection down the runway for A/W 2010 that was inspired by their visit to Mexican boarder city, Juarez. It’s a town that is overcome with tragedy and injustice. Wikipedia calls it a “phenomenon”. That frightens me. How can the killing of thousands of women in one city be called a “phenomenon”?  It’s a city run by drug wars and violence. There are reports of over 5,000 women being murdered in 2010 alone. More often than not these women go missing on their way to and from their factory jobs. They’re usually found days later abandoned with signs of sexual violence, torture, disfigurement and more. It makes my blood run cold and my stomach churn.
What makes me feel even more despondent about the situation of these women is that in August 2006 the Mexican government dropped it’s investigation into the murders stating that no federal laws had been broken during these killings. I simply don’t understand that. I cannot wrap my head around how these murders don’t break the simplest, most fundamental human rights.
Having read all that, would you buy a blood red blush called Quinceanera (a Latin American celebration of a girl’s coming of age when she’s 15)? For me, the worst part of this collection is that it’s romanticising such a horrific situation. It was never designed to raise awareness of injustice towards women. MAC have, over the last couple days, reacted to the outrage by apologising and stating that they’ll donate “a portion” of proceeds to charities fighting against the murders. Ehm, a portion? MAC, you’re part of a multi billion dollar corporate machine. I don’t think you’re going to miss the money from a few blushers and nail varnishes. Either donate the whole lot or show us that you’re going to do something significant about it! And, maybe, take the products off the shelves while you’re at it!!!!???
I’m not the only blogger on the block that’s pretty upset by all of this. Take a look here at some of my fellow bloggers that have something to say about it.
R xxx
Lady of the Lane
Beauty Mouth
London Makeup Girl
Vex In The City
Big Fashionista
Mizz Worthy
Makeup Loveer
6 Inch Stilettos
British Beauty Blogger
Just Nice Things
Get Lippie
Bags and a Bun
Perfectly Polished
So Far So Chic