Converse Pulls Ads After Backlash Over Images Compared to KKK and Lynching

Converse Pulls Ads After Backlash Over Images Compared to KKK and Lynching. Converse has removed advertising images from its channels following social media backlash over imagery that some users compared to the Ku Klux Klan and the history of lynching in the United States.

The Nike-owned brand faced criticism over two advertisements. One featured Converse global ambassador Karina of K-pop group aespa wearing the recently released Chuck 70 X sneaker. The second promoted a collaboration with Danish lifestyle brand Palmes.

The Chuck 70 X advertisement showed Karina standing in a spotlight shaped like the Converse star. A triangular section of the lighting and the positioning of sneakers in the image led some social media users to interpret the scene as resembling a Klansman standing beside a lynching victim.

US Representative Troy Carter criticised the advertisement, describing it as “racist, reckless and deeply offensive”. He also questioned how the campaign had passed the company’s advertising review process.

Other public figures and social media users called for the employees involved to be dismissed and for consumers to boycott the company.

A second advertisement showed a man standing on a ladder while holding a pair of sneakers above his head, also attracting criticism.

After Women’s Wear Daily contacted Nike, Converse issued an apology.

“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognise that we got this wrong,” the company said. It added that the image had been removed from its channels and that efforts were underway to remove it from other locations where it appeared.

The response has not been unanimous. Some social media users and commentators argued that the criticism was excessive and interpreted the advertisements as artistic imagery rather than references to racial violence.

The backlash has also renewed discussion about the review and approval processes behind advertising campaigns.

Karina and her management company, SM Entertainment Group, had not immediately responded to messages through their Instagram accounts, according to the information provided.