Snowflake Candle Sets Fire to Internet, Not How Bath & Body Works Intended

Well, well, well, looks like Bath & Body Works just discovered a whole new level of "scented controversy." The geniuses over there released a seasonal candle with a snowflake design that some folks online decided looked a bit too much like KKK hoods. Yep, you read that right. A freaking candle.

In their haste to apologize, Bath & Body Works released a statement: "At Bath & Body Works, we're committed to listening to our teams and customers, and committed to fixing any mistakes we make – even those that are unintentional like this one. We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward." Yeah, because candle shopping isn't supposed to trigger the PTSD of white supremacy.

This drama started mid-week when the holiday candle hit the shelves, and some eagle-eyed critics spotted the resemblance to the KKK's fashion sense. The Ku Klux Klan, for those who need a history lesson, resurged during the civil rights movement, and apparently, they have a thing for pointed hoods.

Instagram user @_scentsgalore, a self-proclaimed "candle hoarder," posted, "Don’t be surprised if we do not see this one in store! Initially I did not see it but now I can’t unsee it!" Some followers defended the design, saying it was just a paper snowflake. Others weren't having it: "People claiming they can't see it are gaslighting. Its staring at you right in the face," one commenter noted.

Diet Prada added fuel to the fire by posting, "Damn, Bath & Body Works really gave new meaning to 'White Christmas'," on Instagram. Over on X, folks suggested that Bath & Body Works could've avoided this mess if they had more diverse viewpoints on their team.

Bath & Body Works: First-time Champs of Cultural Insensitivity? Nah.

A couple of years back, Bath & Body Works thought it was a great idea to celebrate Black History Month with Kente cloth designs on their products. Spoiler alert: it was considered cultural appropriation. "This was a missed opportunity to push the culture forward, instead of capitalizing like most companies do off the Black dollar," said Shyriaka ‘Shy’ Morris, founder of PEACE ARTS, back then.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider .

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