Converse apologized and pulled a shoe ad last week that some claimed featured Ku Klux Klan imagery.The ad, which has been removed from the Nike subsidiary's social media pages, featured K-pop singer Karina of the girl group aespa promoting the Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush sneakers.In the ad, Karina held a pair of black high-top shoes under a star-shaped spotlight while wearing a long white skirt.Several social media users asserted that Karina resembled a KKK member, with the shoes resembling a lynching victim.
Critics included Rep.Troy Carter, D-La., who released a statement on the ad on Friday.OUTKICK'S CRAIG CARTON REVEALS THE REAL REASON NIKE STOCK IS IN THE TANK: 'THEY'RE FAILING MISERABLY'Converse faced backlash over an ad which critics claimed resembled a KKK hood.
(Screenshot/Converse/Nike)"Nike and Converse, what the hell were you thinking?" Carter said."Your campaign shows what looks like a hooded Klansman, framed by what appears to be the dangling feet of a lynching victim.
There is nothing creative or artistic about it.It is racist, reckless and deeply offensive."After facing backlash, Converse eventually pulled the ad and released a statement apologizing for the campaign.TED CRUZ TAKES VICTORY LAP AS ICONIC AMERICAN BRAND'S STOCK PLUNGES TO 12-YEAR LOW"We’re sorry.
We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong.We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared.
This should not have happened, and we will do better," the statement sent to Fox News Digital read.Converse is a subsidiary of Nike, which has faced backlash from conservative critics over the past few years.(iStock)This latest ad backlash comes as Nike is set to be removed from the S&P 100 after nearly 18 years, following its value dropping by more than $200 billion since 2021.Conservative critics have frequently accused Nike of embracing woke politics by partnering with progressive figures like Colin Kaepernick...