{"id":853159,"date":"2026-09-19T11:00:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T11:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/853159\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T11:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T11:00:15","slug":"converse-apologizes-after-ad-is-slammed-for-imagery-likened-to-kkk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/853159\/","title":{"rendered":"Converse apologizes after ad is slammed for imagery likened to KKK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Converse<\/a> has pulled a controversial ad after it was slammed online by social media users who said it evoked Ku Klux Klan imagery. <\/p>\n

Two ads promoting Converse\u2019s global Chuck 70 X campaign came under fire. One featured K-pop star Karina clutching a pair of the brand\u2019s classic high-top black sneakers by her side and wearing a white skirt, with a star spotlight in center frame. <\/p>\n

The problem, according to social media users, was that the lighting and cropping created an outline that evoked a white pointed hood, with the shoes dangling against it. The other image showed models climbing a ladder to reach shoes that hung from a tree branch. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,\u201d Converse said in a statement to Footwear News<\/a> on Friday. \u201cWe removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened, and we will do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photographer Stephanie Schwartz posted on Threads<\/a> that she thought the imagery was no accident. <\/p>\n

\u201cShadow, light, and composition. Every photographer can tell you, whoever did this ad knew EXACTLY what they were doing,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

Educator Kendall C. Peacock posted a video on Instagram asking followers whether a boycott of the brand was warranted. <\/p>\n

\u201cConverse, converse, converse! You\u2019ve been called to the carpet. Who approved this? … As a Black man and someone who loves Converse shoes, I find this very insensitive and distasteful.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cHow and why did nobody question these visuals?\u201d he continued. \u201cDeliberate racist intent hasn\u2019t been established yet, but that doesn\u2019t erase the impact.\u201d <\/p>\n

Peacock acknowledged the sneaker brand\u2019s apology, but added that \u201cmust come with accountability.\u201d He asked who approved the ad and what will change after its removal, and further suggested that \u201cwithholding our dollars is a reasonable demand for answers … How dare you try to make a dollar off of Black pain, Converse?\u201d<\/p>\n

DJ SoulChild AC said on TikTok<\/a> that even if it wasn\u2019t Converse\u2019s intention, \u201cWe can see the symbolism from a mile away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a depiction of the triple K right there,\u201d he continued. \u201cPointed hood, dangling converses, as if someone\u2019s being strung up … Black people ain\u2019t stupid, bro.\u201d<\/p>\n