The debate rages on—and this time, with a powerful message.
Evolving the Dress debate from an Internet phenomenon to something more, South Africa’s Salvation Army (partnered with Carehaven) created a powerful public service announcement about domestic violence inspired by the white-gold vs. blue-black color-based argument.
“Why is it so hard to see black and blue?” the poster, which features a woman covered in bruises wearing a white and gold version of The Dress, asks readers. It continues, “The only illusion is if you think it was her choice. One in 6 women are victims of abuse. Stop abuse against women.”
The organization tweeted out the photo on Friday, March 6, to help kick-start the conversation, and immediately, men and women around the world responded with positive words and thanks.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-cards=”hidden” lang=”en”><p>Bravo <a href=”https://twitter.com/salvationarmyuk”>@salvationarmyuk</a> for turning <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/dressgate?src=hash”>#dressgate</a> into something meaningful and thought provoking <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/stopabuseagainstwomen?src=hash”>#stopabuseagainstwomen</a> <a href=”http://t.co/Vb3II3NKhu”>pic.twitter.com/Vb3II3NKhu</a></p>— sianbag (@sianbag) <a href=”https://twitter.com/sianbag/status/573817029892947969″>March 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-cards=”hidden” lang=”en”><p>Smart marketing. "<a href=”https://twitter.com/SalvationArmySA”>@SalvationArmySA</a>: Why is it so hard to see black and blue? <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopAbuseAgainstWomen?src=hash”>#StopAbuseAgainstWomen</a> <a href=”http://t.co/xY56jlPHli”>pic.twitter.com/xY56jlPHli</a>"</p>— Jason Martin (@SCFCJase) <a href=”https://twitter.com/SCFCJase/status/573829278175002624″>March 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-cards=”hidden” lang=”en”><p>Kudos to quick thinking <a href=”https://twitter.com/SalvationArmySA”>@SalvationArmySA</a> for making this non-news item worthwhile. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopAbuseAgainstWomen?src=hash”>#StopAbuseAgainstWomen</a> <a href=”http://t.co/KjMlIB1NLu”>pic.twitter.com/KjMlIB1NLu</a></p>— Leanne Bucaro (@PRChick101) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRChick101/status/573873099248156672″>March 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The Salvation Army USA released a statement, too, thanking the organization’s South African outpost for “raising awareness about domestic violence in such a timely way.” “Nearly 4.8 million women in the U.S experience domestic violence every year,” USA shared. “The Salvation Army is the second largest provider of shelter to victims of such abuse, with 18 shelters across the country.”
Are you inspired by the Salvation Army’s PSA? Tweet with @UsWeekly using the hashtag #stylebyUs!
