H&M mother has said for people to 'get over it'

[WomanEmpire]

Apparently she has said on Facebook it's people 'crying wolf' and to 'get over it'

Wdyt?

I personally think H&M are counting their lucky stars and have sort of preyed on her, (this is very presumptuous, so I am prepared to be shot down) knowing that perhaps as someone who is native Nigerian and moved to Sweden (I think relatively recently, but again pull me up on this if I'm incorrect) might not be quite as aware of the racism that incurs in the US/UK, as those who live in these countries and wouldn't think to second guess in a shoot, because you'd trust such a popular retailer to not have racist slurs put on a jumper and modelled by a child, who could quite possibly still be called this by those idiots. Because I still can't believe that NO ONE along the process picked up on this.

I'm not saying racism doesn't occur in other countries but I have experience of those two countries.

Perhaps we should take turns to post pictures of the bloody thing.

We share 98% of our DNA with chimps

...and 93% with daffodils. With DNA a few changes make a BIG difference.

Ugh, I knew as soon as I saw this that all the idiots defending it would be delighted and think they were right.

Sorry but black people are one homogeneous group who all have to agree with each other.

As a white woman, I am happy to take the lead of the people who tell me it's harmful because they/their children/friends/family have experienced being called a monkey and told to go back to the jungle.

It also takes mere moments to Google how it has been used to degrade and dehumanise people through history.

I mean - Just fucking think about it rather than tie yourselves in knots trying to come up with inane comparisons.

For example - I suppose it would be racist to take a black family to the zoo where any monkeys are kept. Would it also be racist to take a white family to the zoo where snow leopards are kept?

That's the kind of fucking nonsense black people are up against.

We humans share @98% of our DNA with chimps - we're all 'monkeys'
Is that how you think DNA works?

We are not all bloody monkeys for fucks sake.

We are all an entirely different species that share a common ancestor with apes.

The problem is that throughout history it was decided by people who didn't know what they were talking about that black people were more closely related to apes than white people and therefore less evolved - less human.

Some people still believe that today.

This isn't ancient history - this is all very recent and that's why companies like H&M need to be more fucking respectful when it comes to their advertising.

This would have all been avoided if whoever designed the top hadn't come up with such a shit slogan that presumably went through some kind of design / marketing / soft test process in the first place.

JAPAB

Colonial connotations? I have no interest in telling people what or what not to find offensive. But I do think it is possible to over-reach to try to make things fit whatever offensiveness you want them to fit.

I didn't have to over-reach. It was literally the first thing that sprang to mind when I saw the ad. Probably due to the years of bullying. I'm guessing that's similar to many people due to the numbers of people finding it offensive. Is it so hard to believe that people are not making huge leaps to be offended? That they actually are, because the insults are pretty common and current.

But people are saying it is racist to have a black child wearing that monkey slogan. I think they are saying that it's racist in the context of the entire advert and the fact that it said "in the jungle" and in relation to the other kids in the ad campaign and the other top. It's the whole thing. It's not sensible for a retailers ad campaign. If parents want to buy their black or mixed children that top, that's their choice. (Although, even without the publicity this has gained, I'm guessing many wouldn't as you wouldn't want to draw more bullying towards your child).

"We are not all bloody monkeys for fucks sake.

We are all an entirely different species that share a common ancestor with apes."

We ARE great apes.

I find a child in a hoodie with a reference many children are referred to very different from people shouting monkey noises calling people a monkey etc. There's context that make them two very different things. However if some people find it racist then they have a right to have there voices heard.

The most depressing thing is people telling her she doesnt know what she’s saying, she’s mot aware, she’s been pressurised, she doesn’t understand racism. Ffs. God forbid she can give her own opinion on something AND understand things. 🙄🙄

Eh, well there are many arguments over that terminology applying to humans Pisa.

To answer the OP

I think the mother is perfectly entitled to believe that the advert is not (unintentionally) racist

She is not entitled to tell anyone to 'get over it'

Calling your child a cheeky monkey and popping them in a monkey t shirt is no problem

Its honestly no problem...ignore the goady fuckers who are saying that there is a problem

But the levels of stupidity on this thread, as with the other, is incredible

And no i dont think someone who has no problem with it is stupid...i think some of the things people are coming out with is stupid

You know who you are i know you know

Oh look at me

That should be 'coming out with ARE stupid' not is

Doh!!

We humans share @98% of our DNA with chimps - we're all 'monkeys' Apparently we share 90% with cats so are monkey felines or feline monkeys?

Oh here we go again. Not read the full thread but I can just imagine the same old ignorance from those who think putting a black child in that top is acceptable.

CHECK YOUR PRIVILEGE.

Rufus :o

Doh! That 98% monkey DNA must be affecting your SPAG.

I agree with her. It's become a national past time. Being "perpetually offended" or getting gung ho to defend others honour...when half the time, the folk concerned are not even bothered.

I agree with her whole thing is bullshit.

Good PR for the kid though

'perpetually offended'

Off you got and get back to your DVDs of Love Thy Neighbour.

weebo

A small child just told me that humans are related to bananas

When her dad said well i dont reckon thats right...you dont look like a banana

She said 'well mrs ??? Told me and mr???'

Very sweet..i would google it if I could be arsed

Its definitely higher than 98% in dh

More chimp than man

So monkeys live in jungles. How is use of the word jungle making it more offensive? I do understand why people might be offended but I really think that by allowing racists to own that word is wrong.

Soubriquet - they're two DIFFERENT jumpers! Both white and black NOT wearing the same jumper! Are people being purposefully stupid or something? It's unbelievable, how many times does it have to be said?

So you know all about the history of the slave trade and still don't see a problem as to why people find it extremely offensive?

Yes, I know about the history of the slave trade. The signifier "monkey" was often associated (in a highly derogatory manner) with black people at one point in history, and sometimes still is. However, the association is disappearing as time passes.

I understand that some people may be outraged by it and respect it, but I also agree with people who argue that continuing to be outraged by a cultural association that originated in the 18th century is just a way of perpetuating it.

And yes, it pisses me off that for many people, if you disagree with them IN ANY WAY, that instantly makes you a racist / homophobe / male chauvinist / whatever.

but I also agree with people who argue that continuing to be outraged by a cultural association that originated in the 18th century is just a way of perpetuating it.

So any footballer who is thrown a banana or anyone who is called a monkey should just think 'well it originated in the 18th century i wont be outraged'

Fair enough

Im gonna disagree with it but i dont think it makes you any of those terms...you just obviously have a different opinion