Converse apologizes for shoe ads that critics blasted as evoking the KKK
Converse has pulled a pair of ads and issued an apology after critics accused the sneaker brand of promoting imagery that evoked the Ku Klux Klan.The firestorm erupted around a campaign featuring Aespa singer Karina, who was shown clutching black high-top sneakers beneath a sharply defined, star-shaped spotlight while wearing a calf-length white skirt.Online critics fixated on the resulting silhouette, with some saying it looked like a Ku Klux Klan hood and others arguing that Karina’s pose with the shoes called to mind lynching imagery.The brand quickly responded with an apology.“We’re sorry.We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong.”Converse said it removed the image from its own channels and was working to scrub it from other places where it had appeared, adding: “This should not have happened and we will do better.”Democratic Louisiana Rep.
Troy Carter demanded answers about how the campaign got through the company’s creative and approval process.“Who created this campaign? Who approved it? How many executives saw it? Were there any Black people in the room? If so, did anyone listen to them?” he said.Carter said quietly pulling the material and apologizing was not enough.“You do not get to quietly pull the images, issue a polished apology and move on.You do not get a do-over.
The public deserves to know how this happened, who was responsible and what you intend to do about it.”And that wasn’t the only Converse image to ignite criticism.A separate ad posted on the brand’s Malaysia Instagram account someone scaling a ladder toward sneakers hanging from a tree branch.According to Women’s Wear Daily via People, the image promoted Converse’s collaboration with Palmes for the Jack Purcell PDM sneaker collection.The blowback adds another headache for Converse parent Nike, which is already dealing with a rough business environment.Nike shares fell to $35.51, nearing a 12-year low as the company ...