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Where Were Their PR Teams?

H&M and Beauty Blender are two brands I distinctly remember having big scandals in 2018. Two great examples of what happens when you lack diversity in your internal communications teams.

Coolest Monkey In The Jungle

H&M’s advertising flop had my jaw on the floor. I was shocked that nobody realized the problem with a “coolest monkey in the jungle” sweatshirt displayed on a little black boy. What made it even worse, H&M failed to take accountability for its actions. According to a case study, the organization apologized for hurting their public and said they removed the ad from their website. A half-truth. Users found the sweatshirt minus the model in European and Spanish countries. Naturally, the brand came under fire again and issued another apology.

This acknowledges their mistake, but to me it lacks emotion. It feels apathetic. Two months after the scandal, H&M hired Annie Wu as a global leader in diversity and inclusion.

Beauty Blender

Beauty Blender’s Bounce Foundation launch was highly anticipated by consumers. The brand known for their egg-shaped sponge was finally releasing a liquid counterpart. However, many were left disappointed when the shade range lacked shades for deeper skin tones. When beauty account @Trendmood1 announced the release, users were not happy.

Photo from @trendmood1’s Instagram. The initial launch post of the Bounce foundation.

@jaithefrijole said,

“This is down right disrespectful and disgusting.” They posted another comment asking ,”how did this even get finalized this isn’t okay at all. the biggest [redacted] to poc specifically black women ever.”

I blame this on the lack of diversity within their communications team. Yet, after the initial blow-up, Cosmopolitan reached out for a statement from Beauty Blender. They said,

“[…]Rea Ann saw the biggest hole in the market – for women like herself and her multicultural family. BOUNCE offers a wide variety of undertones from neutral, warm, cool, and olive and a special ultramarine blue to create a deep rich tone.”

The founder of Beauty Blender, Rea Ann Silva, defends herself by using herself and her family as a reference for the shade ranges. I think this is where the problem lies. It seems like Silva didn’t align the foundation shades with her primary audience’s demographic. A successful brand like Beauty Blender should know who makes up their demographic. The result after the backlash was a release of 8 more shades which was part of their initial plan. However, they failed to communicate this to their audience which made the additional launch seem like an attempt to cover themselves.

So where were their pr teams?

In H&M’s case, they might’ve been hesitant to speak up. The case study reveals that H&M employees work in a tight-knit culture that rejects outside opinions. As for Beauty Blender, it seemed like Silva was confident that she carefully curated shade range would satisfy her customers. Maybe her pr team felt that confidence as well. However, it’s evident that both brands’ communication teams stepped up after the scandals to create the apologies. In my opinion, this is where they dropped the ball. An apology should be heartfelt and well-thought-out. A good apology takes accountability as well as acknowledges their mistakes. This should be done the first time around @ H&M. They should also be a place for transparency and growth. Both brands’ could’ve used their apologies to communicate to their public that they suffer from internal diversity problems, and they are going to do XYZ to make sure this never happens again. One can only hope. Both brands are obviously not the firsts to make mistakes like this. But I can’t help but wonder, why does this keep happening?

How To Be A Successful Beauty PR Practitioner

Photo by Lan Rasso from Flickr

People oftentimes don’t realize the importance of having a good pr team. The role of a public relations practitioner is to create a relationship with their organization’spublics. Debra Locker Griffin says, “Public relations for beauty products and cosmetics should never be treated as a temporary activity, but rather as part of a long-term, strategic plan.” Beauty PR focuses a lot on brand image. In order to maintain this image it requires constant promotion and pitching.

Pitching ideas to journalists who specialize in beauty is the way to go. But, you don’t want to just pitch and leave. You need to create a relationship with them. Follow up with them and even talk about some non-beauty related things. By doing so, you will have a credible resource under your belt and even a friend.

The beauty industry is filled with creative content. As a pr practitioner, you want people to know your brand. Releasing press- releases is a way to get your brand out into the world. To make a press-release stand out opt for one that is visually appealing. You want to stand out. Rhonda Rees from Rhonda Rees Public Relations said “Optimizing the press release to add embedded links to your beauty product photo, website, blog, and social media is a must.”

Screenshot of some news releases on prnewswire.com. A great source to learn about the latest news in the beauty industry.

Another way to get people talking about your brain is by sending them samples of products. There are hundreds of PR unboxing videos on YouTube which offer audiences a news-like reporting of the most recent beauty products. Founder of LSPR, Lindsey Smolan says “Nothing speaks to the beauty and quality of your products as being able to test it out in person […] They’ll need to touch, see, smell, and test out the efficacy of your products before covering them. They can’t rave about what they haven’t tried!” PR unboxing videos was what got me interested in working in the beauty industry.

A screenshot from Tati Westbrook’s channel. She does a lot of PR unboxing videos.

Milk Makeup does an excellent job of being transparent with their audience about what they’re doing to make their brand more inclusive. Photo taken from their Instagram.

Just because you work in the beauty industry doesn’t mean you are exempt from being an advocate. In fact, audiences like to know that the brands they support are engaging in social responsibility. Positioning your brand as one that is genuinely serious about a cause like climate change or the Black Lives Matter movement is important. It will not only help people respect your brand, but help solidify a long-term relationship as well.

Being a pr practitioner in the beauty industry is tough. Brands are always releasing new content every day, so it’s all about thinking outside of the box. According to prowly.com, having connections in the beauty industry is highly recommended in order to create press around a brand. The cool thing about the beauty industry is that it’s always changing. These changes help aspiring practitioners like myself stay on my toes and prepare to enter the industry at full speed.

The Beauty Industry’s Biggest Hidden Secret

Have you ever ordered a makeup or skincare product and received it in a big box? I’m talking about large orders, I mean you’ve received a single lipstick that arrived in a box that could fit a pair of shoes. The beauty industry is incredibly wasteful. A good portion of brands rely on plastic packaging to present their products. According to Rachel England’s 2010 article, 40% of the 120.8 billion tons of beauty packaging produced was plastic. That’s a lot. Here are a couple more stats about how the beauty industry affects the planet.

A box my friend received for ONE lipstick. This packaging is excessive.

Microbeads.

According to Adorncosmetics.com, cosmetics containing toxic chemicals ended up polluting the ocean when washed down the drain. An example of this is microbeads. The National Ocean Service explains that due to their small nature, microbeads can easily make their way into the ocean. As a result, aquatic life mistakens them for food. Even though microbeads were banned in the U.S in 2015, they can still be found everywhere. Brands like Clean & Clean and St. Ives produce face scrubs that contain microbeads.

What you can do?

The appeal of microbeads is their physical exfoliating properties. Opt for a chemical exfoliant instead. They do the same thing and they are able to penetrate the skin better. Exfoliants from Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary are great alternatives.

Palm Oil

Palm oil is a common ingredient found in beauty products. Unfortunately, its use is contributing to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and the displacement of families (Ethicalconsumer.org). Due to the fact that it’s cheap to produce, the demand for palm oil has significantly increased. Today, palm oil derivatives make up 70% of cosmetic products.

What can you do?

When purchasing from cosmetic companies, look to see if they have an RSPO-certified supply chain. It’s an initiative to show that companies are responsibly sourced palm oil. Palm oil is usually used in humectants and emulsifiers. Next time you’re out shopping for a hydrating products, check out the ingredient list and see if it includes palm oil aka Elaeis oleifera

Plastic Packaging

Good packaging helps attract customers to a brand. But is it worth the environmental damage? Like I previously mentioned, the beauty industry is guilty for contributing to the world’s pastic pollution problem. Cosmetic packaging takes hundreds of years to break down in landfills. From 2010 to 2017 the amount of plastic packaging units increased by 11.18 billion. (Teenvogue.com)

What you can do?

Opt for purchasing from brands that use recyclable packaging like Lush cosmetics. Another option is to consider purchasing skincare products in glass packaging, which can be repurposed to be used as another household item. Refillable packaging is also gaining traction. Companies like Fenty Skin and Kjaer Weis offer refillable packaging for some of their products. Not only is this cost effective, it’s a great alternative for the environment.

Beauty brands around the world are starting to realize their impact on the environment. L’Oreal, for instance, is aiming to be more sustainable by using more raw materials and decreasing their carbon footprint by using electric cars. Next time, you’re in the market for a new beauty product consider the environment. Look at clean beauty brands that offer both sustainable packaging and quality ingredients.

How To Create A Spa-Like Experience At Home: Gua Sha Edition

Assuming most of us are spending lots of time on zoom, I think we all deserve a nice relaxing spa day. Even if you don’t, you still deserve a spa day.

If you’ve never heard of a Gua Sha tool, don’t worry. It’s simply a massage tool. Gua Sha or Qi massage originated from East Asia. According to China Culture ,the technique is supposed to move energy away from the body. Basically scraping the tool against your body. It’s usually made out of jade or rose quartz and can be used for not only massage, but lymphatic drainage and depuffing. With consistent use, it can help lift and sculpt your face, according to Maed.

Its small size makes it easy to store anywhere in your bathroom. I like to keep it in my shower. It forces me to use it more. Also, by placing it in the shower, it fits right in with your shower routine

For the longest time I had my Gua Sha tool right next to my sink, thinking I’d use it after washing my face. Facial massage is such a relaxing thing to do at the end of the day, but it didn’t feel right to do at my sink.

I don’t know what compelled me to place my Gua Sha in my shower, but it changed the game. Now, I can easily give myself face, neck and body massages in a spa-like environment.

However, do as you please. Put it wherever you feel it fits best.

Now, onto the spa.

Set the mood:

Whether you’re taking a bath or shower, add a couple drops of lavender, eucalyptus or your favorite essential oil.
Prepare your tools: Gua Sha, face oil, a towel, water, a book…whatever your want.
Safely, light some candles.
Put on your favorite playlist
Turn off your phone. Dedicate this time to YOU!

Once you’re in your shower or bath, it’s time to Gua Sha

Apply your face oil. It’s there to help the Gua Sha easily glide against your skin.
Start on one side of your face.
Repeat each step 5 times.

Jaw: Place the smooth curve side of your tool at the base of your chin. Gently, slide up along your jaw.
- Tip: Place your free hand on your chin to create slight tension
- Medium pressure

Under eye – Use the end and sweep towards the top of your ear.
- Light pressure

Cheeks: Use the curved edge, start near the bottom of your nose, and sweep towards the top of your ear
- Light pressure.

Forehead: Use the curved edge, start at your eyebrow arch and sweep up.
- Medium pressure

Neck (my favorite!): Use the curved edge. Start at the collarbone and with slight pressure, sweep up until you hit underneath your jaw.

Once you’ve finished your bath or shower. Do something that makes YOU happy. Order in. Do a mini shopping spree. Write a love letter to yourself! But most important, be kind to yourself. This pandemic has taken a toll on all of us and everyone deserves a little bit of self-love

Top Spring & Summer Beauty Trends To Look Out For.

As we’re one month away from spring (yay!), it’s time to start prepping for new makeup looks. Inspiration usually stems from winter fashion week shows, as they set the tone for the warmer months to come. Here are some runway looks that I think will definitely have an impact on future makeup trends.

Bare Skin

Versace’s show was the high fashion version of the little mermaid, but in Miami as Donatella Versace put it. Models in vibrant clothes, wet hair and bare faces with a pop of color. Of course the models wore actual makeup, but makeup artists use special techniques to make it look like they have nothing on. It seems like your skin but a better trend will be making another round on the trends list this year. By pairing a bold outfit with a minimal-makeup look, it allows people focus on your outfit. Too much makeup will take away from the clothes and will be distracting.

Graphic Liner

Imagine three era’s combined in one. The 1960’s 1990’s and now. That was Anthony Vaccarello’s vision for his Saint Laurent show. There was a lot of attention to detail to this show, all the way down to the makeup. The 1960’s inspiration is seen with the graphic liner drawn on the models. It seems like something you’d see at Woodstock 1969. The appeal of graphic liners is that it’s easy. This look is easily achievable with any liner and adds uniqueness to the eyes. It’s also mask-friendly!

Vibrant Eyeshadow

Creative director Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta was filled with shimmery neutrals; pops of complementary colors; exciting patterns; and warm textures. To accompany that, makeup artists did bold eyeshadow looks. It might seem intimidating at first, but a bold eyelook is expressive during the summer months.It’s also simple to achieve. Paired with a nude lip and simple base, how could you possibly go wrong? Experimenting is fun!

Smudged Liner

According to Vogue Runway, Virginie Viard’s line was inspired by actresses from the 20th century. Chanel’s makeup looks throughout the show remained consistent with the use of a smudged liner. Another simple look that gives the eyes a mysterious yet sexy appearance, which perfectly aligns with late actresses like Jeanne Moreau. Smudged liner is the perfect nighttime look for those looking for a quick makeup application before hitting the town.

Next time you’re scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest, pay attention to what type of makeup you’re seeing. You’ll start to notice how much of an impact runway shows have on us regular consumers. It’s quite interesting actually. It’s also an amazing source to draw inspiration from.

Black-Owned Skincare and Makeup Brands You Should Know About

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to highlight some amazing black-owned brands and their products that I either love or am excited to try out.

Redoux

Founded by Asia Grant, Redoux is a skincare brand that brings a sensory experience to your bathroom. Grant uses plant botanicals to create her signature 529 scent which encompasses New York in the summer. It’s a mix of Bergamot, geranium and ginger. One of my favorite products is their botanical bar which is perfect for cleansing your skin and even body acne.

It has:

Castor oil – which is filled with fatty acids that help prevent wrinkles
Turmeric- an antioxidant that helps heal the skin as well as help prevent breakouts
Rose clay – a powerful yet gentle exfoliant that doesn’t strip the skin of oils.

I did a brand training with Grant back in August, and I was so moved by her passion and work she put into her brand. It was a no-brainer that I had to include Redoux in my list of favorites.

Range Beauty

I haven’t personally tried Range Beauty yet, but I saw it on Target’s website and was intrigued. Alicia Scott, I was pleasantly delighted to find out that Scott created clean beauty products for the “forgotten shades” as she puts it.

If I had to pick out one product to try, it would definitely be their foundation. I love that it’s a combination of skincare + makeup. This always makes makeup worthwhile. The foundation includes ingredients like calendula, kaolin and chamomile which help with fighting oil and acne.

Range Beauty’s home page. Taken from their website.

I really appreciate this brand because for the longest time deeper skin tones were not included in the clean beauty conversation. Am I surprised? No. I could dive a little deeper into the reasoning behind this but I’ll make it short. Clean beauty is usually on the pricier side, for one. Secondly, it’s usually carried in organic food stores, like Whole Foods, and smaller boutiques essentially making it inaccessible for many black and brown communities. These communities should have access to clean beauty just as much as other communities. Range Beauty is pioneering the way to make clean beauty accessible.

Juvia’s Place

Chichi Eburu started her cosmetics line, Juvia’s place, when she had a hard time finding makeup that matched her skin tone. Her successful brand can now be found in Ulta stores nationwide. I used to use the Nubian eyeshadow palette for my Acrobatics and Tumbling meets. I loved how the darker shades actually showed up on my eyes, and the shimmers complimented my complexion.

For those with deeper skin tones, Juvia’s place is a one-stop shop for affordable quality makeup.

Black-owned skincare and beauty brands are important because they know how to make products for black and brown people. From proper undertones to vibrant shades, these brands are picking up the slack that is often missed by others.

How To Not Be A Socially Responsible Beauty Brand

Tata Harper’s home page from their website.

As much as I hate to say it, 2020 was the year that forced many beauty brands to start speaking up about social issues. I’m specifically talking about the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR, is moptional for organizations as I like to say. Mandatory but optional. Something you don’t have to do but it’s highly encouraged. The positive thing about CSR is that consumers want it. They want to know they’re favorite brands are actively engaging with social issues in the world and doing something about. I mean for the most part they are multi-million dollar brands, it’s the least they can do.

I decided to take an in-depth review at a beauty brands response to the BLM movement, rate their CSR efforts and see if they could use any improvements or comment on what they did well. I’m specifically looking for a statement; evidence that they’ve done some sort of action like donating; and anything else that makes them stand out as a socially responsible organization.

With the help of this hefty list from Elle.com, I chose Tata Harper, a natural skincare brand based out of Vermont. Their products are made from high quality ingedients, sourced from around the world or grown at their personal farm.

Tata Harper’s promise from their website.

Statement : B+

Taken from Tata Harper’s Instagram account.

On June 12th, 2020, Tata Harper’s Instagram released a statement surrounding the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

The statement is good, I like that they put in writing that they stand with the BLM movement . Furthermore, I think it’s good that they announced that they’ll be putting their money where their mouth is.

However I wish, as a black consumer, I didn’t have to wait to see what organizations they are going to donate to. Considering the fact this post was made 12 days after they posted the famous #BlackoutTuesday black square, they had more than enough time to research organizations. That’s where I took the points off.

Evidence: C-

On June 2nd, 2020, Tata Harper announced they donated to various social justice organizations.

Another post taken from their Instagram account.

I decided to do a little more digging on their website to see if they provided more insight about their contributions towards social justice organizations, but I found nothing. Bummer.

Under their “Why Tata” tab on their website, there’s nothing that leads to CSR activities.

Furthermore, they have a story bubble on their profile titled “Donations,” which showed the founder, Tata Harper, gathering supplies to donate to animal shelters. I was slightly disappointed to see this because the content was from March 20, 2020. To me it seems like they could have had the opportunity to do something similar towards BLM organizations, but they didn’t. As a result, the story bubble comes off as a little tone deaf.

The intro video in the “Donations” story tab from their Instagram.

Unfortnuately, that is all I found from Tata Harper. For me, their CSR efforts seems performative at best and it doesn’t seem like they put any actual action behind their words. Besides the donations. But, that even seems questionable since there’s no proof.

If I worked on Tata Harper’s pr team, I would recommend that:

A portion of sales, throughout the month of February, be donated to the Black Urban Growers organzation.
- THEN, continue to donate towards Black nonprofits that align with the brands mission.
Based off their LinkedIn, they could diversify their creative teams OR hire a diversity and inclusion manager.
Source their ingredients from Black farmers.

Overall, I would rate Tata Harper’s CSR towards BLM efforts an F. They never followed up their post about supporting educational and mental health organizations for black and brown communities. Essentially, their actions were purely performative. Do better Tata Harper.

How this Nonprofit Took Self-Care To A Whole New Level

I think it is easy for people to assume that wearing make-up is a way to cover up insecurities. But, that’s not always the case. When you look good, you feel good. Lipstick Angels’ services allow patients to feel good again.

Lipstick Angels is a nonprofit organization that works in hospitals nationwide to bring wellness treatments to cancer patients.

Renata Helfman founded Lipstick Angels in 2012 with a goal to give patients back what they lacked the most, physical touch. Something we take for granted! Her grandmother’s cancer diagnosis opened her eyes to the realities of cancer. Helfman and her angels incorporate physical touch through moisturizing hand treatments; hydrating facials; and makeup application while patients receive treatments. As a result, the pamper sessions give them a sense of ease. One of their patients, Cheryl Campbell, explains she didn’t realize the significance of makeup until it was gone. Lipstick Angels help her feel normal.

For many of us, self-care looks like a bubble bath after a long day; doing a face mask; or reading a nice book in the sun. Yet for patients undergoing cancer treatment, self-care looks a little different. As able-bodied people, we take for granted the fact that we have the energy to pamper ourselves. Cancer treatments are rigorous and leave patients with little energy and motivation to indulge in self-care practices. Lipstick Angels’ services are more than just a spa day, the angels give back to patients by using their energy and skill to make them feel as comfortable as possible.

Another aspect of cancer treatment is how it takes a toll on patients’ skin and can cause side effects such as:

Peeling
Discoloration
Dryness
Photosensitivity
Rashes
Itchiness

(Source: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/skin-nail-changes)

A list of the services offered from Lipstick Angels’ website.

This means patients must be careful with the types of products and ingredients on their skin. Luckily, the nonprofit takes this into consideration and uses oncology-safe products only provided by the hospital.

The nonprofit’s services might seem superficial to some, but what they’re doing is bringing joy into the lives of people who are going through a difficult time. The feeling of a hydrating facial and being pampered makes you feel good. In turn, it allows patients to relax and feel at ease which opposes the harshness of chemotherapy.

If you are interested in contributing towards Lipstick Angels, click here

Tips from a pr perspective.

Since this is somewhat a pr blog after all, I would like to provide some feedback to improve Lipstick Angels’ organization.

There is no annual financial report, making it hard for donors to know what their money is going towards.
The website is slightly outdated and could use a couple tweaks.
- The “Virtual Services” tab requires a login account. This is confusing for a potential donor who would like to see their updated services due to COVID-19.
Their testimonials should be put under their “Press and Events” tab. This would clean up their homepage a little big .

A Basic Guide for Your First Skincare Routine

Most people believe they don’t necessarily need a skincare routine. I say, do whatever you want but at least apply SPF! However, if you’re looking to get into a routine and don’t know where to start, I got you. Before you start you need to know your skin type to figure out the best products for your needs. Check out this quiz from Teen Vogue.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional esthetician or licensed dermatologist.

1. Cleanse

In the morning I enjoy Cetaphil’s daily facial cleanser because it’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin of oils. At night, I use the Indie Lee purifying face wash because I love the way it thoroughly cleanses all makeup and oils from my face.

The first step in every routine is cleansing. Essentially, it’s just washing your face and getting rid of any sweat, dirt and grime you accumulate throughout the day.

When do you cleanse?

It depends on your skin type. Those with sensitive or normal skin can usually skip this step in the morning as it can be too much for sensitive skin, and not necessary for normal skin. However, I recommend cleansing every single night because you want to get rid of all of the dirt, grime and spf.

What type of cleanser do I need?

Again it depends on your skin type, everything does. But a general rule of thumb is:

Normal and combination – Gel cleansers. They deeply cleanse the skin, clean out pores, and help fight acne (Dermstore.com.) I love this one by COSRX since you can use it morning and night
Sensitive and dry – Cream cleansers. These are more gentle on the skin and won’t leave your skin feeling stripped or dry.

2. Vitamin C

I know.. this isn’t exactly in a dark bottle or a serum BUT the REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream has helped lighten my hyperpigmentation tremendously. Also, the smell is great.

Vitamin C is a powerful anti-aging antioxidant.According to Allure magazine, it helps with rough skin texture, evens out your skin tone and helps with fine lines. The antioxidants in this product also help with UV ray protection. To get the best use out of your vitamin c it’s important to wear sunscreen so it doesn’t oxidize on the skin (thebrightside.supergoop.com)

What kind of vitamin c should I use?

Vitamin C products usually come in the form of a serum or a gel. Dermatologist Kristina Wexler from the Allure article explains that the most effective form of vitamin c is a serum.

Pro tip: A good vitamin c serum will come in a dark bottle so it won’t oxidize in the light.

3. Moisturizer

I use the OSEA Atmospheric Protection Cream in the AM and the Berlin Skin Cocoa Eye Butter in the evening. Yes, I know that’s a jar but the product is too good!

Moisturizer does exactly what you think it does… moisturize. It basically locks in all of your layered products and helps them last all day. I’ve tried many moisturizers in my life and I’ve realized you can find a great moisturizer for cheap. One of my favorites is the Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. Even though it’s intended for nighttime use, I like using it during the day.

Pro tip: Avoid moisturizers (or any skincare product) that comes in a tub. Constantly dipping your fingers in their unhygienic. Instead, look for products that have a pump.

4. Sunscreen

Supergoop’s Unseen Suncreen is lovely because it lightly mattifies the face while also protecting my skin from the sun.

Sunscreen is a must! It protects your skin from UV rays which can cause sunburn and possibly lead to skin cancer. Also, sun protection is the best anti-aging treatment there is. If you are still skeptical about starting a skincare routine, I say at least wear sunscreen and protect your skin.\

What SPF level is the most effective?

This topic is debated A LOT since some people think that only spf 50+ is effective. Well, The American Association of Dermatology Association recommends any SPF that is water resistant, above 30 and offers protection from UVA and UVB rays.

The start of your skincare routine should be fun and exciting. Before purchasing, I always recommend doing solid research to find the best product to suit your needs.

Blog Policies

This code of ethics is adapted from Kelli Matthews’ blog policies

I will remain true to my blog theme.
I will properly cite and link works included in my posts.
I will create authentic posts about things that truly interest me.
I will not tolerate any hate, bullying or harassment.
I will not hate, bully or harass anyone I mention in my posts.
I will adhere to the AP stylebook.
I will use this blog for educational purposes only.
I will remove any hateful comments posted on this blog.