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.

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

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

To read the full story, log in.
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.