H&M Issues An Apology and Removes Senseless Ad featuring a Controversial Hoodie
H&M has found themselves in the middle of a controversy following a racially insensitive ad showing a Black child wearing a hoodie with the slogan “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle.”
Over the weekend, the Stockholm-based retailer released an ad to their U.K. site with the young Black model wearing the hoodie. However, to make matters worse, the advertisement also featured a White child in a similar hoodie with the text “Mangrove Jungle Survival Expert” and another child wearing an animal-print hoodie. Not long after the ad surfaced online, it received backlash from multiple news sites and social media.
In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent and lack awareness. If look at other sweaters in same category they have white kids. We have to do better. pic.twitter.com/Av4bS4t6yn
— alex medina (@mrmedina) January 8, 2018
A multi billion dollar company thinks it’s okay to put a young brown boy in a #coolestmonkeyinthejungle hoodie? I see you @hm #BoycottHM #BoycottHandM #BlackDollarsMatter pic.twitter.com/gQS7yCMDr6
— Marqus (@marqEmarq) January 8, 2018
They had the option of two other hoodies in that collection but they decided to go with one that labelling a black child as ‘the coolest monkey in the jungle’. Comparing black people with monkeys has a long, dark history. H&M had a whole team who reviewed and proceeded with it.
— Sara (@sara28aa_) January 8, 2018
BOYCOTT @hm! Whose with me? @hmusa What universe do you live in that makes it okay to flaunt your racist ways in such an epic portion. I demand you remove this ad! This child is precious and should be treated as such! #boycottH&M #racists #coolestmonkeyinthejungle #notonmywatch pic.twitter.com/eY4f7nKxvi
— Alexandra Foucard (@AFoucard) January 8, 2018
Along with the entire internet, many celebrities and activists also shared their thoughts about the ridiculous ad. The Weeknd, who recently worked with the international retailer, severed ties with the company following the controversy. The “Starboy” singer tweeted on Monday (January 8), “Woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. I’m deeply offended and will not be working with H&M anymore.” According to Rolling Stone, a source close to the R&B crooner confirmed that he is no longer working with the company.
woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore… pic.twitter.com/P3023iYzAb
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 8, 2018
. @hm, have you lost your damned minds?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/EYuCXLZtv3
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 8, 2018
Following the slew of backlash, the retailer issued an apology for the tone-deaf ad. “We sincerely apologize for offending people with this image of a printed hooded top,” H&M said to USA Today. “The image has been removed from all online channels and the product will not be for sale in the United States. We believe in diversity and inclusion in all that we do and will be reviewing all our internal policies accordingly to avoid any future issues.”
Photo Credit: iStock
