H&M apologises over 'racist' image of black boy in hoodie

I just don't see why a huge company would purposely create discriminatory material to include in an advert. It defies all logic.

Racially offensive and racism are two totally different things. Something that's racially offensive can totally be made with the most innocent of intentions. The dictionary definition of racism means to discriminate against an individual or group based on their race. Intention to cause racial offence is required for something to be considered racist, whereas you can cause racial offence without discriminating against people or an individual. Discrimination and intent are synonymous, whereas causing offence can be done without intent.

I don't think it was intentionally racist but I do think it was a great oversight and stupid move on H&Ms part, I mean what were they thinking exactly? Lets get a little black boy and make him wear a cool monkey hoodie?

Then you're making an assumption.

Someone can just as easily argue that there was a closeted racist who thought it could be funny to put a black child in a jumper that refers to him as a monkey. I mean, how much of an idiot can you be to do that anyway.

They're not different. This poster is racist, however perhaps the people behind the campaign may not be. Intention is irrelevant to whether or not something is racist. Go and look up the definition of racism.

As the SJWs were the first to make the connection between black people and monkeys. I'd say they are the racists.

First of all, you can't assume there was no intention to discriminate. Second of all, racially offensive is the same thing as racist.

This is a complete non-point.

It's very safe to make that assumption. Creating content like this to be viewed by the public is prepared by an entire team of people - to suggest that an entire team just happened to all be racist, would be ridiculous.

I've already explained the definition of racism to you, but perhaps Google it yourself? As I said, racism means discriminating based on race and discrimination requires intent. If the intention wasn't there, how can it be classed as discriminating against someone based on their race, i.e. racism???

Nope. It's just drawing the connection between a racial stereotype that black people are monkeys has been for centuries and this ad campaign.

Perhaps the right wingers who claim racism doesnt exist are just too stupid and lack the mental capacity to see that.

It's obvious what is happening here. H&M recognise that white nationalism will become a prevailing mainstream opinion within the next few years and thus are making subtle dog whistles towards their future market.

I am hearing rumours that alt-right figureheads are coming out and endorsing H&M as the "official clothes store of the alt-right and white nationalism".

No its drawing on the fact that children can be cheeky little monkeys.Its a common saying and has nothing to do with the child being black.Its clearly an oversight on their part.But it could just have easily being the white child wearing the monkey one.People just overthink things.Its not racism.

doesnt take much thinking to connect the black child and the monkey really.

It doesn't take much thinking to connect any child to a monkey really.You know why? Because humans are apes.

An assumption is still an assumption.

Racism is much more broader. It can simply be prejudice as well. Also, an ad campaign is an inanimate thing, it cannot have intent itself. The ad campaign is racist. The people behind it may not be. How is this so hard for you to understand?

I dont know why you contribute to this forum. All you're able to do is regurgitate the sarcasm that your favourite alt right youtube personalities do. You're neither original nor clever. Bit sad really.

You'd be right if you completely ignore historic racial discourse associated with black people and monkeys.