International clothing brand H&M has apologized for showing a black child wearing a hoodie that read “coolest monkey in the jungle’ on its online store. This is the image that is creating controversy.
People on social media slammed H&M for this act with so many tweets.
In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent
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
Have you lost your damned minds?
. @hm, have you lost your damned minds?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/EYuCXLZtv3
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 8, 2018
I’m sure the apologies are a coming.
I’m sure the apologies are a coming. And the ads will be pulled. I’m certain there will Be media… https://t.co/NuTJTkGg1q
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) January 8, 2018
Every company should invest in training
Every company should invest in training that encompasses cultural competency and sensitivity. It is absolutely necessary. @hm pic.twitter.com/efMR0oL3jx
— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) January 8, 2018
H&M not only removed the image from their online store but also promised that it would pull the shirt from its stores worldwide.
H&M agreed with the audience and said in a statement:
“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. It is obvious that our routines have not been followed properly. This is without any doubt. We will thoroughly investigate why this happened to prevent this type of mistake from happening again.”
This is not the first case in which brands are criticised for promoting racism through their ads. Another popular worldwide brand Dove faced a big opposition from social media last year after running a video ad for body wash which featured a black woman removing her shirt to reveal a white woman.
