H&M Busted with Racist Ad

Protesters have stormed into H&M stores all across South Africa. They have been pushing over mannequins, tearing down clothes racks, and breaking changing rooms. This happened after one of the retail-giant’s ad was branded as racist. H&M became embroiled in a racist controversy after an ad showing a black child model wearing a green hoodie which read “coolest monkey in the jungle” was posted onto the clothing chain’s sales website.  The image copped global widespread criticism. Even US singer The Weekend made a comment, after having his own line in the brand, saying that he felt “shocked and embarrassed.”

H&M said that despite the incident being “accidental in nature,” they still took it very seriously and understood the upset and discomfort it had caused. “We have taken down the image and we have removed the garment. We will now be doing everything we possibly can to prevent this from happening again in the future,” the statement said. Videos were posted all over social media showing protesters pushing clothing racks on the floor, and vandalizing changing rooms. In one location, rubber bullets were fired, breaking the store’s mirrors. The police monitored the situation and have said to not have made many arrests so far.

EEF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was unimpressed. He tweeted, “The time for apologies for racism are over; there must be consequences to anti-beach racism, period!” Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku also commented at the advert, changing the slogan to “Black is Beautiful.”

Additionally, in early November 2015, H&M South Africa was accused of racism for how few black models were featured in their campaigns. H&M responded via tweets that “H&M’s marketing has a major impact and it is essential for us to convey a positive image. We want our marketing to show our fashion in an inspiring way, to convey a positive feeling.” The possible suggestion that the white models conveyed more of a  “positive image” in photoshoots created much more global anger. H&M again responded via tweet messages that “we have worked with many models from various ethnic backgrounds in our campaigns.”

For more information visit ABC News, Chicago Tribune, and Sky News.