Talk apologizes for an ad associated with KKK: “We did”

Um announcement of Converse, known for the line “Chuck Taylor All Star”, generated revolt on social networks after netizens accused the mark of racism, pointing out that the image allegedly alluded to the sharp hood of the extremist group Ku Klux Klan (KKK). 

In the photo of the ad, K-pop singer Karina appears wearing a white skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers. However, there was a detail that jumped into the eyes of the netizens and generated controversy: the white triangle created by the lighting in the skirt and the way the artist held the shoes.

On the internet, several users associated that image with the KKK white supremacist organization, immediately recognisable by the conical hood. The way Karina held the shoes, the netizens said, reminded the feet hanging from a lynching victim next to a “Klansman” (member of the criminal group).

In the comments, there were several who asked for the resignation of the officials involved and even requests for boycott of the company. There were also those who questioned how the announcement could have been approved. Several netizens also defended the brand, saying it would not have been intentional. 

Chat removed ad: “We apologize”

A Conversa, which belongs to Nike, withdrew the social media ad and apologized for the image.

“ We're sorry. We understand why the image is deeply disturbing and we recognize that we have made a mistake. We've removed the image from our channels and we're working to remove it from everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened and we will do better”, says the company statement, based in Boston. 

The KKK, underlines itself, is an American white supremacist movement, which was founded after the U.S. Civil War and is associated with enormous racial violence and terror, particularly against the black population.