Apparel manufacturer Gap has pulled an advertisement after critics claimed the ad was racially insensitive.
Here’s a picture of the ad:
The kids in the ad are from the group “Le Petit Cirque,” which is described as an “all-kid humanitarian cirque company.”
The ad was tweeted out with the caption: “Meet the kids who are proving that girls can do anything.”
The reaction was swift.
White girls: Powerful, flexible
Black girl: Armrest@GapKidshttps://t.co/fGkHAyxGO2@allDigitocracypic.twitter.com/knzQxfNslI— E. Tammy Kim 김태미 (@etammykim) April 5, 2016
and
@rae_muk @GapKids black girl’s talent is being a stand for white girl. Major fail. Def not shopping 4 my black daughters at Gap
— mb (@MonaB2010) April 3, 2016
Why exactly is this little Black girl being used as a prop in this new @GapKids ad? https://t.co/y7V8nitPxd #weneedanswers #Gap
— MadameNoire (@MadameNoire) April 4, 2016
After the social media complaints, Gap pulled the ad and apologized to those who had taken offense.
“As a brand with a proud 46 year history of championing diversity and inclusivity, we appreciate the conversation that has taken place and are sorry to anyone we’ve offended,” Gap spokeswoman Debbie Felix said in a statement, Fortune reported.
So what do you think? Is the ad racist?
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