H&M Apologises After Backlash To 'Racist' Photo of Young Boy Wearing A Sweatshirt

Global fashion retailer H&M had to 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.

After facing the ire of hundreds of people on social media, the company removed the ad from its website. It continues to sell the hooded top online, CNN reported.

"This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologise to anyone this may have offended," said H&M (HNNMY) spokeswoman Anna Eriksson.

An undated photo of an advert for a hoodie by H&M. Clothing giant H&M has apologized Monday, Jan. 8, 2017, and removed an advertising image of a black model in a sweatshirt with the words “Coolest monkey in the jungle.’’ The brand removed the image, but kept in place other designs modeled by white children. (H&M via AP)

"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.
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.

SOURCE: IANS