INTERNATIONAL fashion retail giant H&M has apologised for an image of a young black model wearing a ‘Coolest monkey in the Jungle’ hoodie.
The Swedish brand, which came under fire after the image posted on H&M UK, began circulating on social media said the image has been removed from all online channels and will not be sold in South Africa.
‘We apologise for offending customers with an image of a printed hooded top that was published on selected global online channels.
‘The image has been removed from all online channels and the product will not be for sale in any of our markets,’ the company said.
The company received major backlash from people on social media who labelled the image ‘racist.’
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa tweeted:
We are absolutely appalled by this racist advertisement attributed to @HM which strips the child in the green of basic human dignity. While we note the apology as necessary we cannot accept that it's sufficient based on the amount of damage it has caused. cc @HMsouthafrica pic.twitter.com/TqSRn164xJ
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) January 9, 2018
Musician ‘The Weeknd’ said:
woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore… pic.twitter.com/P3023iYzAb
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 8, 2018
Others however viewed the issue in a different light.
This whole thing about H&M is stupid… it’s not at all racist it’s simply a kid modelling the hoodie. The only thing that makes it racist is people viewing it as the stereotype of black people being deemed monkey’s. Views like this are what keeps stereotyping and racism alive pic.twitter.com/P9zieuXsMh
— Patel (@kieranpatel98) January 8, 2018
Are people really getting offended by the @hm advert?! How many times have you heard kids be referred to as cheeky monkeys. Poor judgement possibly but I doubt they've done it deliberately.
— Eric (@E__S__20) January 9, 2018
