Converse apologizes and pulls sneaker ad that critics said included racist imagery
Converse apologized and removed the image after critics said the lighting and shadows evoked racist violence and raised questions about its approval process.
- On Friday, Converse removed a social media advertisement featuring K-pop star Karina of Aespa after critics argued the lighting and composition resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching imagery. The Nike-owned brand issued a formal apology, stating it understood why the image was 'deeply upsetting.'
- The Chuck 70 X campaign, launched globally August 27, featured Karina standing under a star-shaped spotlight wearing a white skirt. Social media users claimed the lighting created a triangular silhouette resembling a KKK hood, while dangling shoes evoked lynching imagery, intensifying when a separate Converse x Palmes collaboration surfaced showing sneakers hanging from a tree.
- Chicago-Based photographer Stephanie Schwartz wrote that 'whoever did this ad knew EXACTLY what they were doing,' while civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, based in Texas, stated the apology 'doesn't undo what got past legal, marketing and leadership at every step.' Both critiqued the company's vetting process.
- Converse Chief Executive Officer Aaron Cain acknowledged in a memo that 'The images should not have been used' and committed to reviewing internal processes. The company confirmed removal from all social channels and pledged to eliminate the advertisement everywhere it appeared.
- Target pulled a Halloween costume last month after critics said it evoked racist minstrel caricatures, while Urban Outfitters sold a Kent State sweatshirt in 2014 with blood stains referencing a deadly shooting. These recurring brand failures reflect mounting pressure on retailers to improve cultural sensitivity in advertising oversight.
210 Articles
210 Articles
Converse responds to outrage over the Instagram ad for its Chuck 70 X sneakers
The sneaker company Converse has removed a social media ad that sparked outrage among critics who viewed it as evoking the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.The Instagram ad photo showed K-pop singer Karina wearing a skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers. Critics lashed out online, saying that a white triangular image created by lighting on the skirt resembled a KKK hood and that the way she held the sneakers made them look like the dangling f…
The American brand Converse withdrew its last advertising campaign after a heated controversy. The images, considered "shocky", could evoke the white supremacist group of Ku Klux Klan, notably by the...
Converse apologises and removes ad after backlash
Converse, the American footwear brand, has apologised for an ad which critics said evoked Ku Klux Klan imagery, saying it recognised why the image was “deeply upsetting”. المصدر: skynews business The post Converse apologises and removes ad after backlash appeared first on khbrknews.
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