H&M apologises for using black child to sell 'coolest monkey' sweatshirt

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Home News H Amp M Apologises For Using Black Child To Sell 039 Coolest Monkey 039 Sweatshirt

Global fashion retailer H&M had to publicly apologise on Monday after it was accused of being racist for using a black child to model a sweatshirt with a “coolest monkey in the jungle” slogan.

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The company removed the offensive ad from its website after hundreds of social media users accused it of being racist. However, it continues to sell the hooded top online, reported CNN.

PHOTO: H&M

“This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologise to anyone this may have offended,” said H&M Spokesperson Anna Eriksson.

The image of the child in the hoodie appeared on the British version of the Swedish retailer’s online store.

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Social media users pointed out that two other tops from the same line, one that said “survival expert” and one with images of animals, were modelled by white children.

PHOTO: H&M

“In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent and lack awareness… We have to do better,” designer Alex Medina said on Twitter, one of many who voiced their outrage over the advert.

In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent and lack awareness. If look at other sweaters in same category they have white kids. We have to do better. pic.twitter.com/Av4bS4t6yn

— alex medina (@mrmedina) January 8, 2018

Canadian singer The Weeknd told his 8 million Twitter followers that he was “deeply offended” by the image and will not be working with H&M anymore.”

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

Some expressed their outrage by creating sketches of the model wearing the same sweatshirt with a different slogan.

#BlackExcellence

Racists are people who are threatened by the other Race@hm shame on you! pic.twitter.com/FWrQxx5uRZ

— Edd Eddie Eddiest (@Eddiest_KE) January 9, 2018

Whilst others made jokes.

Somebody say “When H&M offers me $7 billion dollars” pic.twitter.com/EKA96Cve21

— Cool (@moshatedcool) January 9, 2018

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