Last week, Converse apologized and withdrew a shoe advertisement following claims that it featured imagery similar to that of the Ku Klux Klan. The Nike subsidiary removed the ad from its social media platforms. In the advertisement, K-pop singer Karina from the girl group aespa promoted the Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush sneakers. The ad showed Karina holding black high-top shoes under a star-shaped spotlight while wearing a long white skirt.
Many social media users commented that Karina resembled a KKK member, and the positioning of the shoes suggested a lynching victim. Criticism came from various sources, including Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., who released a statement condemning the ad.
“Nike and Converse, what were you thinking?” Carter stated. “Your campaign appears to depict a hooded Klansman, with what seems to be the dangling feet of a lynching victim. There is nothing creative or artistic about it. It is racist, reckless, and deeply offensive.”
Faced with mounting criticism, Converse pulled the advertisement and issued a public apology. Their statement read: “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. This should not have happened, and we will do better.”
This controversy occurred as Nike is set to be removed from the S&P 100 index after nearly 18 years. This follows a significant value loss exceeding $200 billion since 2021.
Nike has frequently faced criticism from conservative voices for aligning with progressive personalities such as Colin Kaepernick and Dylan Mulvaney, yet has also drawn backlash from liberal quarters.
In a recent statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Carter insisted that apologizing and removing the images are insufficient actions. They demanded an explanation of how the campaign was created and approved, identification of those responsible, and an independent investigation. They further called for safeguards to prevent future approval of imagery related to the Klan or the lynching of Black people.
Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital, and can be contacted for story tips at [email protected] and on Twitter: @lmkornick.