Target pulls Halloween costume after blackface comparisons
Target has removed a children's Halloween costume from its website after social media users likened it to blackface caricatures from the Jim Crow era.
Retail giant Target has removed a children's Halloween costume from its website following widespread criticism on social media. Users pointed out that the costume closely resembled imagery associated with blackface minstrelsy from the Jim Crow era.
The costume, listed as "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit," featured a black-and-orange harlequin pattern and a mask with an exaggerated smile. Marketing photos showed a Black child in the costume striking poses that drew comparisons to racist caricatures of Black people.
Following the outcry, which gained visibility on platforms like Threads, TikTok, and X on August 23, Target removed the item from its "Hyde and Eek! Boutique" collection. The company issued an apology, stating, "As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale."
Target further stated that it is examining how the incident occurred and what changes are needed to prevent future occurrences, acknowledging the removal as a first step. This controversy comes after Target's earlier decision to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.