Black Lives Matter-Ugliness of Racism.
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Converse apologizes and yanks ad after KKK, lynching comparisons
'This should not have happened, and we will do better'
Author of the article
enette Wilford
Published Sep 21, 2026 • Last updated 19 hours ago • 2 minute read
A Converse shoe is on display at the Converse outlet on May 15, 2024 in San Marcos, Texas.
A Converse shoe is on display at the Converse outlet on May 15, 2024 in San Marcos, Texas. Photo by Brandon Bell /Getty Images
Converse has issued an apology and pulled photos from social media after the imagery in an advertisement for its shoes was likened to Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching.
“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared,” the sneaker brand, which is owned by parent company Nike, wrote in a statement to the Toronto Sun.
“This should not have happened, and we will do better.”
The image in question shows Karina of the K-pop group Aespa wearing a white skirt, standing inside a Converse star and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X shoes.
Some social media users said the lighting on her skirt creates a triangle shape that resembles a KKK hood, while the shoes appear to look like the dangling legs of a lynching victim.
No, you’re not crazy.
Yes, the Converse ad is racist.
Yes, it looks like a Klan outfit.
Yes, it looks like a lynching.
And no, “it’s just a shoe ad” is not a defense. pic.twitter.com/urDiTNuBt6
— Eh, what’s up Doc (@rabbitSZN2) September 18, 2026
What were they thinking?
The Boston-based company joins a growing list of retailers and brands that have recently been under fire over ads perceived by many as controversial.
Last month, Target apologized for a children’s Halloween costume of a circus clown that, to many, depicted Blackface and minstrel shows.
The costume, branded “Kids’ Glows Under Backlight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” sparked immediate backlash, with many likening it to a racist caricature.
“An apology from us: We pulled an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment,” Target said in a statement. “It is no longer for sale. As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry.
“We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”
Meanwhile, an ad featuring a naked Sydney Sweeney caused an uproar — not for all the skin she was baring but for sexualizing women in sports.
Sweeney’s shilling for Novig was slammed by an array of female athletes who showed the actress and the sports prediction market site what “sports” is really like in a women’s world.
torontosun.com
'This should not have happened, and we will do better'
Author of the article
enette WilfordPublished Sep 21, 2026 • Last updated 19 hours ago • 2 minute read
A Converse shoe is on display at the Converse outlet on May 15, 2024 in San Marcos, Texas.
A Converse shoe is on display at the Converse outlet on May 15, 2024 in San Marcos, Texas. Photo by Brandon Bell /Getty Images
Converse has issued an apology and pulled photos from social media after the imagery in an advertisement for its shoes was likened to Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching.
“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared,” the sneaker brand, which is owned by parent company Nike, wrote in a statement to the Toronto Sun.
“This should not have happened, and we will do better.”
The image in question shows Karina of the K-pop group Aespa wearing a white skirt, standing inside a Converse star and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X shoes.
Some social media users said the lighting on her skirt creates a triangle shape that resembles a KKK hood, while the shoes appear to look like the dangling legs of a lynching victim.
No, you’re not crazy.
Yes, the Converse ad is racist.
Yes, it looks like a Klan outfit.
Yes, it looks like a lynching.
And no, “it’s just a shoe ad” is not a defense. pic.twitter.com/urDiTNuBt6
— Eh, what’s up Doc (@rabbitSZN2) September 18, 2026
What were they thinking?
The Boston-based company joins a growing list of retailers and brands that have recently been under fire over ads perceived by many as controversial.
Last month, Target apologized for a children’s Halloween costume of a circus clown that, to many, depicted Blackface and minstrel shows.
The costume, branded “Kids’ Glows Under Backlight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” sparked immediate backlash, with many likening it to a racist caricature.
“An apology from us: We pulled an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment,” Target said in a statement. “It is no longer for sale. As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry.
“We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”
Meanwhile, an ad featuring a naked Sydney Sweeney caused an uproar — not for all the skin she was baring but for sexualizing women in sports.
Sweeney’s shilling for Novig was slammed by an array of female athletes who showed the actress and the sports prediction market site what “sports” is really like in a women’s world.
Converse apologizes and yanks ad after KKK, lynching comparisons
An ad for Converse shoes featuring Aespa's Karina has been pulled after social media backlash and comparisons to racist imagery. Read on.