Popular fashion brand Forever 21 is catching some serious heat. The clothing giant has apologized for going with a blond white model as the face of its Black Panther campaign.
On Tuesday, Forever 21 came through with an apology after getting hammered for its Wakanda Forever sweater model decision.
“Forever 21 takes feedback on our products and marketing extremely seriously. We celebrate all superheroes with many different models of various ethnicities and apologize if the photo in question was offensive in any way,” the company said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. (The Hollywood Reporter)
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.@Forever21 just pulled this listing, apparently over the backlash: pic.twitter.com/9Y2FZv7jlj
— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) December 18, 2018
Prior to the apology, social media lit up Forever 21 with savage memes and disses.
Wakanda bullshit is this, @Forever21? pic.twitter.com/S4ZVryPXWB
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) December 18, 2018
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Just in case @Forever21 tries to delete this later…. pic.twitter.com/8czypjMutr
— LaBlaq, the final Fantastic. (@LoveAndShalom) December 18, 2018
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Hey @Forever21, In What Universe Did You Think It Was Ok To Feature A White Model In Wakanda Gear? Granted, Chances Are You Knew It Wasn't Ok, But Still. As A Former #21Men Brand Specialist For The Company, I'm Highly Offended.
— Mark-Paul (@WhoIsMarkPaul) December 18, 2018
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How tone deaf do you have to be to choose this model for that sweater? Do better white people!
— Maureen (@Iammo_25) December 18, 2018
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@Forever21 really got the palest person they could find to model a Wakanda Forever sweater. I'm crying. https://t.co/0ycedJ2eI6
— Izuku Marcdoriya (@Lyracet90) December 18, 2018
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A Wakanda Forever Fair Isle knit sweater modeled by an Eminem lookalike just makes no sense whatsoever, and it's insulting. @Forever21 is canceled
— felicia the critic (@felicianista) December 18, 2018
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@Forever21 please say sike https://t.co/GI2R8iqPQ4
— pronounced &réa.
(@rhythmgoddesss) December 18, 2018
Most tensions stem from the fact Black Panther celebrated Africa’s roots and black empowerment.
The outrage, for the most part, stems from the fact that Black Panther is the first superhero of African descent in mainstream American comics. The film, which was released in 2018, was also praised for celebrating blackness as well as highlighting African culture. (People)
The post Forever 21 Ripped For Using White Blond Man For Black Panther Campaign: “Wakanda Bullsh*t Is This” appeared first on SOHH.com.
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