Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. Converse, the sneaker company, has removed a social media ad that sparked outrage among critics who viewed it as evoking the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. I mean, who doesn’t love a good controversy with their morning coffee? The ad featured K-pop singer Karina wearing a skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers, but apparently, the lighting on the skirt created a white triangular image that resembled a KKK hood, and the way she held the sneakers made them look like the dangling feet of a lynching victim. You can’t make this stuff up.
I’m not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that people actually thought this ad was a good idea or that they didn’t catch the potential controversy before it went live. Converse, owned by Nike, issued a statement apologizing and saying they removed the ad, which is probably the best decision they could have made at this point. The statement said, “We’re sorry… We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong.” Yeah, no kidding.
The company declined to answer questions about how they screen ads before they’re posted and how this one was approved, which is probably a good idea, considering the backlash they’re already facing. I mean, can you imagine being the person who had to explain how this ad made it through the vetting process? Bless their hearts. Karina and her management company, SM Entertainment Group, also didn’t respond to messages, which is probably wise, considering the controversy surrounding the ad.
It’s not like this is the first time a company has issued an apology for a racially insensitive product or ad. Retailers and top fashion brands have been doing it for years, and it’s getting to the point where it’s almost expected. Last month, Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment that critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures. Somewhere in Atlanta, a producer thought this sounded terrifying, and now we’re all talking about it.
The Converse photo sparked swift criticism, including calls for staff involved in the ad to be fired and for a boycott of the company. Some people defended Converse, saying they didn’t believe it was intentional, but others, like civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, posted on Instagram that Converse’s apology “doesn’t undo what got past legal, marketing and leadership at every step.” That’s a fair point, considering how many people must have seen this ad before it went live.
Converse, founded in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1908, makes the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker, which is a beloved brand for many people. It’s a shame that this controversy has tainted the company’s image, but hopefully, they’ll learn from their mistake and do better in the future. In the end, it’s just a reminder that companies need to be more careful and thoughtful when creating ads, especially in today’s sensitive social media landscape. And to Converse, I say, well, that was a sole-ful mistake 🙄.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
⚖️ ENTER THE LEGALIZER
Think the government has no idea what it's doing? Put your case before the Federal Case Terminal and find out.
