Outrage Over Pantone’s Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer
Many woke white women are expressing their frustration over Pantone’s choice of “Cloud Dancer” as the Color of the Year for 2026. Some are calling it tone-deaf and a reflection of the ongoing “whitewashing of America.”
The company defended its selection, describing the off-white hue as a symbol of calm in a chaotic society.
However, social media was flooded with criticism from white women who accused Pantone of race-baiting and stirring controversy, drawing parallels to Sydney Sweeney’s recent American Eagle ad drama.
One TikTok user expressed, “Whiteness is being weaponized everywhere, and Pantone’s choice of purity white as the cultural color of the year feels like a mockery to those fighting for humanity.”
Another TikTok user called the selection a political statement, questioning who would find a white or cloudy color palette soothing.
Some accused Pantone of “whitewashing” and questioned the company’s awareness of current social issues.
Despite the backlash, Pantone defended its decision-making process, emphasizing the emotional resonance of the chosen color with the current design trends and societal atmosphere.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Pantone’s Color of the Year reflects a broader conversation on race, representation, and cultural sensitivity in the design industry.

