Would you consider this racist? H&M advert

[BornInSydneyy]

A young black boy wearing a jumper that says -

“Coolest monkey in the jungle”

I genuinely can’t understand how anyone thought that was acceptable.

"Still it's Mumsnet, I shouldn't be too surprised"
It rely didn't use to be like this

I think in this day and age it's embarrassing that people still make the connection between monkeys and black people.

I say that as a mixed raced person. My sons favourite toy is a monkey that he takes everywhere. I'd feel weird if someone thought that it may be offensive somehow.

It seems to me people look for these 'offences' when they really should be a thing of the past by now.

Completely racist, almost too stupid to have been a mistake on the part of the company.
It doesn’t even make sense in the frame of reference of the “cheeky monkey” ideas which yes is often used about kids - who has ever heard of a cool monkey?

Griddlebone nails it!

*really

I wouldn’t say that people are unaware of the use of monkey as racist. I hope anyway. Wasn’t a footballer recently chided by monkey chants in Poland or am I getting that completely wrong?

I still would have liked to see the H&M ad run - personally I think it would have sent out a stronger anti racism message than it not running. However I can see the sensitivities - I just have a different view in how I think we get to a more tolerant and less abusive society. Maybe it’s too soon for this ad.

LilQueenie, I would not be prepared to put that top on my child and allow him to be sniggered at by white people. That is not the 'equality' token gesture I want for my child.

Well articulated, iMightMention

Black child gets monkey in the jungle top, white child gets survivalist top.

I’m sure the marketing team are horrified, I’m sure it wasn’t deliberate but it probably reflects implicit biases that the team hold. I doubt there were any BME people in a position to influence the campaign so this is what they have ended up with. Similar to the recent Dove backlash, Kendall Jenner’s tone deaf Pepsi ad etc.

It must be nice to be so sheltered to believe that racism is over and black people don’t get called monkeys.

Well as I know that it is used as a racial slur I think it’s inappropriate

And I am surprised people are claiming they don’t know it is used as a racial slur as it’s been in the news in recent years (sports events)

It seems to me people look for these 'offences' when they really should be a thing of the past by now

But it isn't a thing of the past. Racism isn't over. Did you not read the awful insults aimed at Michelle Obama?

Was she 'looking for offences?'

LilQueenie so are you saying anyone who has heard it used with racist connotations must be racist?

Of course not. But I have never heard of this particular remark and I don't mix with those who are racist. I keep away from them. Hang around people like that you WILL hear more.

ArcheryAnnie I have heard plenty racist remarks and I'm not a child I am aware racism exists. I would not say fortunate or privileged either I have had stupid comments myself. I'm well aware but would not have been aware of this particular connotation.

Of course it's bloody racist and anyone who thinks it isn't is being naive at best, deliberately obtuse, or outright racist.
Just reading this thread shows how ingrained racism still is. It's everyone else's fault for seeing things where they don't exist. Nonsense. It's racist, historic and active.

You don't have to be racist to be aware the term 'monkey' can be used as a racial insult. There's not a Racist Handbook with all the special words to use.

Also not knowing doesn't mark you out as 'not racist', but more remarkable unaware of what others endure. Racism is still very much in an everyday thing.

The term using the term 'cheeky monkey' for a black child won't always come from a racially insulting view point. But due to the connotations of the word's use towards black people it most certainly could be interpreted as racist. So if you don't won't to be seen as racist it's best not to use it.

H&M certainly should have been less ignorant.

Avocadoicecream
Yes. It probably is too soon for the ad.

Was it maybe a misguided campaign given some groups in society still use monkey as a racist insult? Perhaps. As society we haven't moved forward as much as we could in places and some people hold vile views
Does that justify a warpath on H&M calling them racists? Probably not.

"Still it's Mumsnet, I shouldn't be too surprised"

Maybe you're right. In defence of Mumsnet it can be a great way of understanding other people's lives. I've learnt tonnes on this site and seen outside my bubble in a way I don't think I would have otherwise over the years. Threads like this can spark debate and make some people see things differently. Not everyone, granted.

But I have never heard of this particular remark and I don't mix with those who are racist. I keep away from them. Hang around people like that you WILL hear more.

...so now, people who are on the receiving end of racist comments are at fault for "mixing" with them and "hanging around people like that"?

Dear god, LilQueenie. Seriously, take your foot out of your mouth, and your head out of your arse.

@SheGotBetteDavisEyes I get that racism is still alive very much so especially at the moment.

But it should be a thing of the past. And by people making connections to a boy in a top and labelling it as outright racism, to my mind that's keeping the racism alive.

So are you insinuating we hang around with racist people?

I think it’s more likely that we aren’t ignorant to racism that goes on and aren’t naive.

ever heard of monkey being a racist term. Here in Australia, it's what you call a cheeky/funny child. Monkeying around etc.

It is absolutely an insult in Australia: www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-25/goodes-gutted-but-places-no-blame/4712772

I've never heard this as a racist comment before. Maybe because I'm not racist

Oh dont be silly, not just this poster but others saying the same sort of thing

I dont think H&M did it on purpose

But using the word monkey as a racist taunt has been going on for donkeys year

Its lovely that people haven't heard it used as such but it doesnt mean that its never been used

I made the connection, and no, it doesn't say anything about me and no I am not racist just because I made the connection

Monkey is a well known racial insult. That doesn't make me racist because I know that fact.

I remember overhearing someone saying their doctor comes from the jungle not too long ago. That was the first thing I thought of when I read this thread.

So yes, I made the connection. I think it was thoughtless and stupid at best.

Yes Gilead! Nicely said (And cool name!) Read all the way through this thread hoping someone would say what you did, and am astonished by some people’s ignorance. Even if something [racist] isn’t intentionally racist it doesn’t mean it can’t be racist. Where are people even getting their definitions from? From their own white imaginations? If people on this thread are interested, or confused by that, check out Citizen by Claudia Rankine. Helps explain things really well. ✌️

Surely if we're all not racist now and racism isn't 'alive' FaceOddity it would therefore be polite to not put a child in a top that could allude to racist past insults then? Like it or not the connection is historically there.

Not even historically sadly.

I feel a bit sorry for the boy model in the ad and hope he won't be teased.