Black Artists Creatively Reimagine Racist H&M Ad
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Black artists have stepped up to create new versions of a racist H&M ad after the brand drew criticism for a photo on its website.
The original photo showed a black boy modeling a green hoodie reading “coolest monkey in the jungle.” The image drew ire on social media, with celebrities and activists denouncing the brand.
Yo @HM you need to explain yourself. What the hell is this?https://t.co/YVAvjt0Nsdpic.twitter.com/jGGAPOLS6e
— alex medina (@mrmedina) January 8, 2018
The Weeknd announced he was ending of his partnership with the brand over the ad. Plies stepped in with a reaction video labeling H&M as shorthand for “Horrible Merchandise.”
The Swedish company apologized for the ad, saying in a statement to NBC News that it is “deeply sorry that the picture was taken.”
Amid the backlash, black celebrities and creatives have stepped up to do what they do best: turn a horrible situation into a reason to celebrate. They took to photoshop, sketchbooks and more to reimagine the boy in the photo with crowns and pure black boy joy.
LeBron James posted a new version of the photo with a caption saying, in part, “I see a Young King!! The ruler of the world, an untouchable Force that can never be denied!” And Diddy joined in, posting on Twitter a reimagined image that in his words “put some respect on it.”
See more of our favorite remixes of the H&M image below:
A post shared by Chris Classic (@mrchrisclassic) on Jan 8, 2018 at 4:40am PST
A post shared by Kervin Andre (@akomicsart) on Jan 8, 2018 at 7:56am PST
A post shared by Kow (@kyle.yearwood) on Jan 8, 2018 at 10:38am PST
A post shared by Mimicgawd (@mimicgawd) on Jan 7, 2018 at 8:29pm PST
A post shared by Phresh Laundry (@thatlaundry) on Jan 8, 2018 at 8:37am PST
A post shared by F is for Folasade (@lovefola) on Jan 8, 2018 at 3:14pm PST
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.