More love and respect needed
I find it quite disturbing and appalling that such a popular international retailer could do something that’s so racially insensitive and unacceptable (“Family of H&M ‘Monkeygate’ boy talks to Gulf News”, Gulf News January 12). The young white male model’s outfit depicted a ‘survival expert’ and the young black male model’s outfit was plastered with the words ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’. There were many people who would have had to approve this and every single person who did not speak up about this or even realise how unacceptable it is, is personally accountable and responsible. Although H&M issued a public apology, I find their response unsatisfactory, as this cannot be brushed off as something ‘unintentional’ or ‘accidental’. This was about children’s clothing. While we pave the way for future generations, what message are we sending them? It is high time we pay better attention to ensure we are respectful, loving, caring and accepting of one another. We should find the courage to speak up when we experience or see someone being mistreated or see something inappropriate. Fashion campaigns, such as this one, the media, our governments, the movies that are made and the music that we listen to, our communities, our schools, our homes and our conversations – we need to change the narrative, be more aware and work together towards stopping the perpetuation of cultural stereotypes, racial profiling, insensitivity, and any and all forms of mistreatment.
From Ms Aroushi Malhotra
Dubai
What are we teaching children?
The clothing brand, H&M, advertised a young black boy modelling a sweat shirt which read “coolest monkey in the jungle”, and this was inappropriate and was considered to be racial discrimination. H&M is a multinational store worldwide and should think twice about the implications, before placing an advertisement like that. There is a big disparity between the advertisements itself. The black child got to wear something different, while the white child wore an outfit with the words ‘Survival expert’ on it. This tagline itself shows the global discrimination which is poisoning young minds. An unconditional apology doesn’t solve the issue, it is a violation of a child’s rights.
From Ms Eappen Elias
Dubai
Take it easy
I can remember, not too long ago, when we didn’t get upset so easily. We weren’t so easily led to believe that a boogey man was hiding behind each door, and we weren’t so obsessed with political correctness. We never had to decipher every speech we heard and tried to dissect it, to ensure no special interest group, in any corner of the world would be upset. It gratified us to feel that we were better people for “alerting the world”, that we had found something offensive. Take a deep breath and relax. In the words of Albert Einstein: ‘Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.’
From Mr Timothy Reducha
Dubai
Popularity does not ensure power
In Asia, there has been a popular trend of dynastic politics wherein the children of those who hold office are slowly promoted to the position of President or Prime Minister, subtly, as though it is natural progression (“Celebrity politicians are a sign of America’s political decline”, Gulf News, January 12). This is less prominent nowadays but yet happens. Also actors and cricketers make their way into politics because of popularity, somehow, the big screen or small screen catapults people to positions whereby they influence the masses to believe that they are clean and can rule the country with ease. I am not judging their real capability but their popularity is their passport to politics. Now this fever has caught up with the US as well. Although actor and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey might have all the essential qualities of becoming the President this is a bad sign. The people who really deserve to rule based on their involvement in the current affairs and politics are taking a back seat because of certain reasons. This could be either the stigma associated with politics or the risk owing to the vulnerable frame of politics. In a place like the US, popularity through soaps or other programs does not guarantee entry to the government. This might change, and if it does, the reason could be that the common people are frustrated with the present politicians. The electorate and the public should take active part in politics and change the system in order to avoid such back-door entries. This could be detrimental to society, as it has been proven in Asian countries. We look for talent and the big screen can deceive us easily. I would reject the very idea of Winfrey being the President of the US. However, I will continue to enjoy her show.
Mr Murugesh SS Sivam
Dubai
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