Target Apologizes and Pulls Halloween Clown Costume After Racism Backlash
Listen to the story
The American retailer Target has apologized after a children's Halloween clown costume caused a strong backlash online.
Critics said the costume's design was offensive and appeared to be racist, showing features connected to negative stereotypes.
Images of the costume spread quickly on social media, with many people criticizing the company for selling it.
Target responded by apologizing publicly and removing the costume from its stores and website.
A company statement said Target did not intend to cause harm and takes such concerns seriously.
This is not the first time a major retailer has faced criticism over a product seen as insensitive to race or culture.
Companies often act quickly in these situations because public pressure can damage their reputation.
A reputation is what people generally think about a company or person.
Target has not given many details about how the costume was designed or approved before it went on sale.
The company said it will review its process for choosing products in the future.
Halloween costumes are sold every year in the US, and retailers sometimes face backlash when a costume is seen as insulting to a group of people.
This case adds to a pattern of companies quickly pulling products after public complaints.
Vocabulary11 words
- retailer
- a company that sells things to shoppers
- backlash
- strong anger from many people about something
- offensive
- causing anger or hurt feelings
- racist
- unfair or harmful based on someone's race
- stereotype
- an unfair, simple idea about a group of people
- apologize
- to say you are sorry
- product
- something a company makes or sells
- reputation
- what people think about someone or something
- criticize
- to say something is bad or wrong
- pulled
- removed from sale
- insensitive
- not caring about other people's feelings
Quiz
Answer key
1. A clown costume seen as racist 2. It apologized and removed the costume 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The American retailer Target has _____ after a children's Halloween clown costume caused a strong backlash online.
Critics said the costume's design was offensive and appeared to be _____, showing features connected to negative stereotypes.
Images of the costume spread quickly on _____, with many people criticizing the company for selling it.
Target responded by apologizing publicly and _____ the costume from its stores and website.
A company statement said Target did not intend to cause harm and takes such concerns _____.
This is not the first time a major retailer has faced criticism over a product seen as _____ to race or culture.
Companies often act quickly in these situations because public pressure can damage their _____.
The company said it will review its process for choosing products in the _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think companies apologize quickly when a product causes backlash?
- Do you think removing a product is always the right response to criticism?
- How much responsibility do you think a company has to check its products before selling them?
- Have you ever seen a similar controversy about a product or costume in your country?
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