Red Cross apologizes for ‘super racist’ poster

The organization fell under criticism after an image of a pool-safety poster made the rounds online. It said it has ‘taken every step to address the situation.’

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

The Red Cross learned this lesson after pool-safety materials displayed in multiple facilities sparked outrage online.

Fortune explained:

The poster in question, called “Be Cool, Follow the Rules,” shows children of different races playing together in a pool. The white children are shown diving and swimming, activities deemed “cool.” The children of color are pushing, running, and carrying beverages—and are labeled “not cool.”

Backlash grew after a Twitter user—who complained to a lifeguard and management of the facility where she saw the poster—shared a picture online and called it ‘super racist’:

Hey, @RedCross, send a new pool poster to @SalidaRec bc the current one they have w your name on it is super racist pic.twitter.com/TY8MmFB3Qk

— John Sawyer (@JSawyer330) June 21, 2016

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.