Target Halloween costume controversy explained: Why is US retail company facing backlash? Inside ‘racism’ allegations

US retail corporation Target said that it has pulled a controversial Halloween costume off its shelves after social media users criticized it and claimed it resembled a rac caricature. The ad image for the costume, sold as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” showed a Black child in a bright orange and black top with solid black gloves and a mask with a wide, toothy smile. The child’s pose and the costume’s gloves and mask were compared to caricatures of Black people used in minstrel shows.Target Halloween costume controversy explained: Why is US retail company facing backlash? Inside ‘racism’ allegations (Pexel – representational image)Target faced intense backlash on social media.One X user wrote, “what the fu** is Target selling as a “halloween costume”????? im beyond disgusted”.“Damn Target! Y’all just won’t let up huh. What is this rac a** costume???” wrote another.Also Read | Man takes horse inside Target store in US, then this happens. WatchOne wrote, “#Target knew exactly what they were doing. They knew this costume on this Black child looked like rac minstrel imagery. And that’s why we called them on their BS. And now the costume is gone. THIS is why we boycotted them.”Target issues apologyFollowing the backlash, Target issued an apology on social media, saying they “got this wrong.”“An apology from us: We pulled an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer for sale. As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again,” it wrote.Also Read | Indian woman caught shoplifting at Target store in US, cops’ bodycam footage viralThis controversy was only the latest in a series of controversies for the Minneapolis-based retailer. Activs called for a boycott of Target last year after its decision to walk-back DEI initiatives. Just last week, the American Federation of Teachers, a teachers’ union, urged Target’s CEO, Michael Fiddelke, to call for an end to Operation Metro Surge, President Donald Trump’s National Guard push in Minneapolis earlier this year.Target’s stock price fell from $137.40 on January 24, the day the company cut its DEI programs, to $104.70 on March 15. The company is now beginning to experience a financial comeback after the initial boycott.