Hello everyone,
This week on social media a storm raised because of an advertise. The advertise was about a little boy wearing a green jumper with a text on it.
Text was this; “Coolest Monkey In The Jungle”.
There are so many issues and aspects in this, so many opinions and so many feelings. This made me wonder about childrens rights in a world ruled by people who supposed to be and act like responsible adults.
There were many reactions and counter reactions to this, but what I wondered all the time was, I was missing the little boys opinion on this issue - What he thought, what he felt.
Have you noticed the advertisement, if so then what thoughts came to your mind?
The questions for discussion are;
- What do you think about the children’s rights aspect in this?
- What do you think about the political correctness aspect in this?
- Do you think it was an ignorant act done by H&M?
- Do you think such advertisements can have negative effects on a child’s self esteem?
I know those are many questions in one discussion, but I think you all can manage. Everyone is welcome to participate in the discussion, please do keep in mind a sober and constructive tone is preferable. Thank you.
I would like to quote a sentence;
“do you think this imagery is an appropriate representation of a young black boy?"
Note: My opinion about the word “Political Correctness” I find it interesting on many different levels, because it is a word that can be interpreted as desired - some may not agree, but this is my opinion.
Replies
Hello Mishaikh,
Yes, you are right and I do agree with what you have expressed.
Mostly I believe any kind of unexplainable behavior as may not make sense, often have something to do with peoples own insecurities and inadequacies as they oftentimes are projecting onto others.
There are no superior human on earth, those who consider themselves as, one should learn to watch and observe them carefully because words can lie but behavior very, very rarely do ... and one will know where you have whom.
Oftentimes I wonder why there is this unbalance, these differences and I am not really able to find the answers, other than it may have roots in hatred and ignorance to what is not familiar.
This;
“THAT THIS IS AN INSULT TO HUMANITY”
I do agree with.
To me, this seems like a very conscious act, I can not find any other explanation. As I said above they could have dressed this little boy in another sweatshirt and there would have been no issues. I find this so much eewww, and even more upsetting, what how could his parent allow this.
Thank you so very much Mishaikh, for posting your opinion :)
There is a very strong element in societies. Societies are different but the element is the same. This particular element consider themselves/itself superior human/creation and the others are senseless animals before them. This element is very strong in economy of the entire world, media, even in entertainment. So time and again we have to face issues one or the other like you have referred, Eva, in your discussion. I would say one sentence to your all question. THAT THIS IS AN INSULT TO HUMANITY as a whole. Children are the only faction which is far from all miligining. They are pure inside out, and this element even does not leave them (beautiful flowers), (innocent children) from exploitation for their ulterior motive.
Hello Onee, Risty, Rosemay, Sobzz, Roman, Mr. Dara
Thank you all, for participating in discussion.
Let me please make it clear, the essence of this discussion is/was as below written;
“There are so many issues and aspects in this, so many opinions and so many feelings. This made me wonder about childrens rights in a world ruled by people who supposed to be and act like responsible adults.”
And;
“There were many reactions and counter reactions to this, but what I wondered all the time was, I was missing the little boys opinion on this issue - What he thought, what he felt.”
Hello Mr. Dara,
:) I am sorry, but I do not agree with your comment. I believe there is a huge difference in between racism and abusing children for different purposes.
People who misused children for such kind of purposes are not really humans, they are something completely else.
Yes, agreed it is absolutely a matter of humanity.
Thank you many times for posting your opinion Mr. Dara :)
Hello Sobzz,
I find your comment quite interesting, because you haven’t seen the advertisement therefore your view is not colored by what impression it may give. I can actually follow you on that, if I had only seem the sweatshirt, I wouldn’t have payed it much attention
To get the whole picture one have to follow what is this all about, but my purpose for posting this discussion is about children being misused for some kind of hidden political agenda and what are children rights in such world, who are there to protect them, to protect their rights, their integrity.
I saw in news here a professor in South African studies giving his view on why this became and issue, and what he said makes perfect sense in my world.
Question was not really about whether they made anyone buy the clothing or not, question was actually the moral aspect in this.
Thank you many times for posting your opinion Sobzz :)
Racisim is easy compared to some people who use children for sexual purposes. Others give them gun and teach them how to kill. I guess it's a matter of pure humanity and conscience. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Dear Rosemary,
Yes, you are right.
I read a statement given by this little boys Mother, and she had a very relaxed attitude towards all the issues raised because of this. First, I thought okay if this is no problem for her and she doesn’t see it as others may, then why should everyone else have a problem with it.
She is his parent, and I believe a parents number one priority should always be to protect their children, especially their self worth and their self confidence and they should protect them from factors that may lead to bullying.
Ignorance in such matters is not good. Did she fail her parental responsibilities ... I would say; Yes. I find it so sad that some parents push their children to do things because of money. Possibly that is also the reason why she is almost defending the advertisement.
You are very right Rosemary, there is much more into this, than it just being an advertisement because it is such a low act to use an innocent child to convey a denigrating message - I just refuse to believe, they didn’t know what was they doing - towards a group of people who has already suffered and struggled so much through time.
They have struggled with apartheid, discrimination and racism, so of course this advertise would be interpreted as that. Just like putting fuel on fire.
About Ota Benga, that is an eternal prove on how inventively humans can become in a very cruel way, when power is given to the wrong human beings. History has shown, that some humans are not able to digest power the right way.
Thank you so much for sharing the link.
Also thank you many times for posting your opinion Rosemary :)
Hello Risty,
Yes, you pointed clearly out the core of the issue and I have had the exact same thoughts. I have been looking very attentively at the little boys face expression/eyes, and it appears not to me like he is having fun or enjoying the moment.
Children are able to sense and understand sometimes things, in a very clear context as we adults may not be aware of.
I do absolutely agree with you that they misused the little boy for some worrisome political agenda. Something that works in a very ugly way, as we who are not involved in politics may not have the insight to understand.
Yes, it is also right, a huge multinational organization like H&M, they have legal advisors who are there to keep them out of such kind of fails and they claim they wasn’t able to decode the consequences of this, well excuse me, that I consider as a even bigger fail ... So a conscious act :-/ Made him pose by force that is absolutely a possibility.
There were other sweatshirts in the category with other text like “Mangrove Jungle Survival Expert” it is a thought worth thinking, why couldn’t they make him wear that one.
To test the patience/tolerance of an already tested population that is worrisome. We are living in a fast moving era but on certain points, mankind didn’t learned the lessons by history and time. The same reprehensible acts just disguised in the name of political correctness.
One should never stop wondering Risty...,
Good to see you here, beautiful profile picture. Thank you many times for posting your opinion :)
Hello Roman,
Thank you for sharing your opinion/answers - I will reply you later.
For now this just for information;
“H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish multinational clothing-retail company known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children. H&M and its associated companies operate in 62 countries with over 4,500 stores and as of 2015 employed around 132,000 people. The company has a significant on-line presence, with on-line shopping available in 33 countries.” ( Source Wikipedia )
You too have a nice and pleasant day and week. This for everyone included above :)
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