Old Navy responds to racist trolls for an ad with an interracial couple
Some online trolls, being trolls, are finding this Old Navy tweet upsetting:
Oh, happy day! Our #ThankYouEvent is finally here. Take 30% off your entire purchase: https://t.co/nGQ9Pji1pN pic.twitter.com/vq4mIczm6A
— Old Navy Official (@OldNavy) April 29, 2016
Most sane people in 2016 would see little more in this ad than a wholesome image of a good-looking family. But then, this is the internet we’re talking about. Reaction to the promotional tweet got really ugly, really quickly.
Here’s a sample (prepare to feel triggered as much as they do — except for a different reason):
.@OldNavy Stop pushing race mixing, you degenerates. #OldNavy #SoniaSyngal #BoycottOldNavy
— End Cultural Marxism (@genophilia) May 2, 2016
My family and I will never step into an @OldNavy store again. This miscegenation junk is rammed down our throats from every direction.
— Cultural Combat (@CulturalCombat) April 29, 2016
@OldNavy BOYCOTTING OLD NAVY
— perry searcy (@psearcy1) May 2, 2016
@OldNavy i just feel sorry for the kid. Obvious reasons. Tough times ahead in school.
— ElMossadFonseca (@leopalis) May 2, 2016
After the initial wave of racist tweets subsided, people began to rally around the brand and praising Old Navy for its inclusiveness.
Hey @OldNavy, my family and I thank you for the diversity in this ad! #LoveWins, no matter the color ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TjgYUPMGu4
— KHARY PENEBAKER (@kharyp) May 1, 2016
.@OldNavy Wow, your customers are a bunch of racist throwbacks. It’s a beautiful pic, you hang in there.
— chiller ★ (@chiller) May 1, 2016
Literally had to google the word miscegenation. I’ve never heard it used because I don’t know fuck-tards. @OldNavy pic.twitter.com/sfdXicbzEM
— Raych (@RaychEurope) May 1, 2016
Grace Mahary, the model in the ad, posted on Instagram a response, writing: “In light of the controversy revolving around my pretend family… I am proud to be representing interracial love, multiculturalism, and most importantly, a mentality that supports opportunity for all ethnicities.”
An Old Navy spokeswoman told Digiday that “everyone is welcome” and that the brand has “a proud history of championing diversity and inclusion.”
The brouhaha comes a month after Old Navy’s sister brand Gap found itself accused of racism for an ad many thought had questionable subtext.
Image via Shutterstock.
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