H&M ‘Coolest Monkey’ Ad Sparks Controversy

Dear H&M:  You sure have a lot of explaining to do!

Current Events
Earlier this week, social media and the entertainment world opened a can of whoop-ass against Swedish retailer H&M for a racially insensitive ad that has everyone talking. The ad features a young Black boy wearing a sweatshirt that says, “Coolest Monkey In The Jungle.” Interestingly, the ad campaign also featured a young White boy wearing a sweatshirt that reads “Jungle Survivor Expert.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to address the white elephant in the room and ask the rather obvious question:  why is the White kid depicted as a “survivor” and the black kid called a “monkey” (a racist term blacks have been referred to for more than a century)??

Almost immediately after the ad was released, people from around the world began to chime in.

“Have you lost your damned minds?!?!?!” tweeted New York Times columnist Charles Blow. “Why is the white kid a ‘jungle survivor’ and the black kid the ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’?” asked another Twitter user, adding that the ad was “inappropriate, offensive, and racist.”

The backlash didn’t end there.

Celebrities, including Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs and LeBron James said they were embarrassed at how insensitive the ad was toward Blacks from around the world.  Singer ‘The Weeknd’ severed his advertising deal with H&M over the ad.  ‘P. Diddy’ even offered the Black child in the ad a $1 million dollar advertising contract in hopes of providing racial self-esteem to the boy following the global negative backlash.

With 99.999% of world citizens agreeing that the ad was racially insensitive and in poor taste, H&M offered this apology:

“We’re deeply sorry that the picture was taken, and we also regret the actual print. Therefore, we’ve not only removed the image from our channels, but also the garment from our product offering.” In another post they added, “…we have got this wrong and we are deeply sorry. We have a responsibility to be aware of and attuned to all racial and cultural sensitivities – and we have not lived up to this responsibility this time…”

Not surprisingly, many are not accepting of the apology, saying the lack of diversity on the all-white marketing team employed by H&M needs ti be addressed so as to avoid any future infractions.

Current Events
However, in a surprise twist, Terry Mango, the mother of the boy in the ad, has taken an alternative position regarding the backlash directed at H&M and the support offered to her son.

“That’s my son… I’ve been to all photo shoots and this was not an exception,” the mother said. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion about this. This is one of hundreds of outfits my son has modeled… stop crying Wolf all the time, unnecessary issue.”

HUH?!?!?

So, instead of showing the world appreciation for the love and support they raced to collectively show her little boy, Terry Mango essentially flipped everyone the finger and told them to mind their own business.  Hmmm…

As for H&M, they are saying the ad has “been removed from all H&M channels,” although the hoodie is still for sale on its U.K. website.  No word yet if Terry Mango has heard about or has any intention of accepting Diddy’s million dollar offer — or if she will ever come to her senses and show appreciation for the total strangers who were so supportive of her baby boy.

OK WASSUP! covers current events:
H&M ad sparks racial controversy.