H&M slammed as racially insensitive over offensive ad
The Stockholm-based clothier’s online advertisement for a child’s hoodie generated outrage and disbelief among consumers and marketers alike. It also recalled the company’s prior missteps.
Racial blind spots can still blindside major corporations.
H&M revealed one the hard way as it faced criticism for an online advertisement featuring a young black boy in a sweatshirt emblazoned with the phrase, “coolest monkey in the jungle.”
Twitter users were quick to slam the tone-deaf advertisement:
. @hm, have you lost your damned minds?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/EYuCXLZtv3
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) January 8, 2018
Someone at H&M thought it would be cool to have this adorable black kid wear a hoodie that says “coolest monkey in the jungle.” #dumbass https://t.co/gXUAz0nBiQ
— Amarnath Amarasingam (@AmarAmarasingam) January 8, 2018
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.