The Weeknd cut ties with H&M after they released a racist sweatshirt image
Almost a year after premiering his first fashion collection with H&M, The Weeknd is cutting ties with the brand. The singer announced his decision in a Twitter message on Monday, January 8th. In the tweet, he cites an image of an offensive item image on H&M’s website. The photo shows an African American boy wearing a hoodie that reads “Coolest monkey in the jungle.”
“Woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo,” The Weeknd tweeted. “I’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore.”
As explained by CTV News Montreal, the term “monkey” has a long history of being used as a racial slur against black people. The outlet shared a statement from the Montreal’s Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations, who explained that the ad “reinforces racist stereotypes and constitutes a form of racial slur against black people.”
woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore… pic.twitter.com/P3023iYzAb
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 8, 2018
In addition to The Weeknd, several other celebrities expressed anger over the garment, including Questlove, LeBron James, Diddy, and YG.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/950474809653301258
FUCK H&M.
— yg (@YG) January 9, 2018
Many others also tweeted their outrage, explaining why they found the ad offensive.
Yeah but calling a black person monkey is a well racial slur, H&M shoulda known better, remember people in privileged positions don't get to decide what's oppressive or not.
— pb-w. 💕 (@venomthewayword) January 9, 2018
Thanks @hm – now I gotta find a new place to buy plain T-shirts, hoodies and socks that shrink after 1 use.
YOUR RACIST DECISION IS MAKING ME LEARN TO DO LAUNDRY AND I’ll NEVER FORGIVE Y’ALL!
— Chris Redd (@Reddsaidit) January 9, 2018
H&M hoodie advert was in bad taste. I wonder how the entire team missed the racial slur behind the whole monkey business.
— Mbimbina (@Nyakasikana__) January 9, 2018
That H&M thing could have been unintentional but the marketing team should have known better,"monkey" has been and still is a racial slur and derogatory term used towards black people, so it's obvious that people are angry about it pic.twitter.com/5LvEOBYAbI
— Alinda (@alykaby) January 9, 2018
Others specifically praised The Weeknd’s decision.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/950460522926886912
YASSS!!! NOW THIS IS HOW U DISTANT YOURSELF FROM BRANDS THAT DO NOT REPRESENT CORE HUMAN VALUES! CELEBRITIES BETTER TAKE A LESSON WHERE MORAL VALUES >>> MONEY ☕️ https://t.co/AtNG41fUyR
— 𝖆🦋 (@LetsCryBaby) January 8, 2018
I’m disgusted and disturbed but even words can’t describe how wrong this is. it’s blatant racism, and h&m needs to be held accountable. brother, i’m proud of you for taking action and hitting them where it hurts https://t.co/IJmxD5MxzK
— MICRO JORDAN (@reBELLYus) January 9, 2018
This makes me so angry & I will no longer be shopping at @hm despite their basic apology. Imagine the number of people this image went through before it went online. Unbelievable https://t.co/crQLFeRyTL
— Menissa (@MenissaS) January 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/950461293718376449
H&M issued a response to the controversial sweatshirt, apologizing and announcing that the item and accompanying photo has been removed from the website.
— H&M (@hm) January 9, 2018
This latest episode in tone-deaf branding reminds us why it’s critical that companies hire diverse staff — because words and symbols matter, and this type of offensive marketing should not be slipping through the cracks.
