I
woke up this morning, and the first thing I saw was a picture of a
black child in a hoodie with the words “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle.”
My initial reaction was one of shock and then things got even more
upsetting when I realized it was an ad for a hoodie being sold by a
multinational company H&M. This situation reminded me of an
advertisement by Dove a few months ago that showed a female of African
American descent using Dove and then becoming caucasian. Dove took a lot
of hits for that ad and today H&M has been taking a lot of fires as
well.
Canadian
R&B superstar The Weeknd said today he was cutting ties with
H&M over the ad, saying he was shocked and embarrassed by what he
saw, and that prompted him to end their arrangement. Now I am not here
to tell you things
you already know; I am pretty sure by now you have
heard about this and had your view. However, based on how frequently
this seems to be happening I have a few questions that might make me
somewhat unpopular.
R&B superstar The Weeknd said today he was cutting ties with
H&M over the ad, saying he was shocked and embarrassed by what he
saw, and that prompted him to end their arrangement. Now I am not here
to tell you things
you already know; I am pretty sure by now you have
heard about this and had your view. However, based on how frequently
this seems to be happening I have a few questions that might make me
somewhat unpopular.
H&M,
just like Dove, is facing a lot of outrage online about its decision to
air this ad, as they should be. However, I am wondering, does the
outrage stop with the companies that run these types of ads? Like Riley
Freeman said, at what point does personal responsibility become a
factor? Should we not also be outraged by the models who consciously
make the decision to put their image and own brands behind these
racially insensitive ads or, in this case, the parents of the child
model?
just like Dove, is facing a lot of outrage online about its decision to
air this ad, as they should be. However, I am wondering, does the
outrage stop with the companies that run these types of ads? Like Riley
Freeman said, at what point does personal responsibility become a
factor? Should we not also be outraged by the models who consciously
make the decision to put their image and own brands behind these
racially insensitive ads or, in this case, the parents of the child
model?
I
remember the whole “Oscars So White” debacle that resulted in a boycott
of the 2016 Oscars because no black actors were nominated ― many
activist were calling for Chris Rock to boycott as well. Chris Rock was
the host of the awards, he did not boycott and during his opening
monologue he joked that he decided to remain as host despite calls to
step down because he does not want to lose another job to Kevin Hart.
Katt Williams during a stand-up performance related an experience about
when he was invited to the roast of Flava Flava. He talked about how he
thought the roast was so racist based on some of the things they said,
calling Flava Flav a flying monkey with other disgusting names. However,
at the end of the show, Flava Flav came in smiling and congratulating
them on the show. Katt asked them if he wasn’t upset about what they
were saying about him and, according to him, Flav didn’t care what they
were saying. His response to Katt was “they just “gotta pay me.” If they
are going to call me all these names anyways, they might as well pay
me.
remember the whole “Oscars So White” debacle that resulted in a boycott
of the 2016 Oscars because no black actors were nominated ― many
activist were calling for Chris Rock to boycott as well. Chris Rock was
the host of the awards, he did not boycott and during his opening
monologue he joked that he decided to remain as host despite calls to
step down because he does not want to lose another job to Kevin Hart.
Katt Williams during a stand-up performance related an experience about
when he was invited to the roast of Flava Flava. He talked about how he
thought the roast was so racist based on some of the things they said,
calling Flava Flav a flying monkey with other disgusting names. However,
at the end of the show, Flava Flav came in smiling and congratulating
them on the show. Katt asked them if he wasn’t upset about what they
were saying about him and, according to him, Flav didn’t care what they
were saying. His response to Katt was “they just “gotta pay me.” If they
are going to call me all these names anyways, they might as well pay
me.
I
mention these because I am wondering if this is the same situation with
the models in the ads for these companies. Is it a case where they are
getting paid, so it doesn’t matter what the ad is about or what it
represents or how racially insensitive it is? Is it a case of money
talk, bullshit walks? Does The Weekend cutting ties with H&M mean
anything if these models do not take a stand and say they will not pose
for these racially insensitive ads?
mention these because I am wondering if this is the same situation with
the models in the ads for these companies. Is it a case where they are
getting paid, so it doesn’t matter what the ad is about or what it
represents or how racially insensitive it is? Is it a case of money
talk, bullshit walks? Does The Weekend cutting ties with H&M mean
anything if these models do not take a stand and say they will not pose
for these racially insensitive ads?
I
don’t think the outrage needs to stop with the company, I think the
anger needs to extend to everyone involved, the parents of the kid
models, the adult models and every stakeholder who had a part to play in
this ad appearing on our TV and phone screens or anywhere you see it.
Maybe there is a need for a mindset shift where morals trump money, or
perhaps not everything’s meant to be racist. Either way, it’s time we
start holding, not just the companies, but the models responsible for
these ads, just my two cents.
don’t think the outrage needs to stop with the company, I think the
anger needs to extend to everyone involved, the parents of the kid
models, the adult models and every stakeholder who had a part to play in
this ad appearing on our TV and phone screens or anywhere you see it.
Maybe there is a need for a mindset shift where morals trump money, or
perhaps not everything’s meant to be racist. Either way, it’s time we
start holding, not just the companies, but the models responsible for
these ads, just my two cents.
