Forever 21 Stirs Controversies With A White Model for “Black Panther” Sweater

The clothing company Forever 21 probably thought nothing of it when they had their white male model on a “Black Panther” sweater for an ad, but enraged people are letting their sentiments known against the ad, especially on volatile social media. The angry mob contend that a blond white guy with blue eyes has no business selling a sweater showing the Marvel superhero who is famous for being the first mainstream hero of African descent.

Forever 21 is facing backlash after dressing a white model in a Wakanda Forever sweater. https://t.co/eAsambsPLD

— E! News (@enews) December 18, 2018

The purple, yellow, and orange Fair Isle sweater in question reads “Wakanda Forever” on the front and sells for $34.90.

“Black Panther” fans were the most upset with the Forever 21 ad. The blockbuster film boasts of a predominantly black cast and has already earned more than $700 million in the U.S. and more than $1.3 billion worldwide.

Forever 21 has since deleted the ad in question on its online store, but not before social media users “offended” by the said ad bombarded them with criticisms.

You had one job @Forever21 pic.twitter.com/0A3WWbB8m1

— Wheelchair Jerry (@BostonJerry) December 18, 2018

Wakanda bullshit is this, @Forever21? pic.twitter.com/S4ZVryPXWB

— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) December 18, 2018

😬not a good look there Forever 21

— NYC.King.DR.Beast (@NYCKingDRBeast1) December 18, 2018

Hey @Forever21, In What Universe Did You Think It Was Ok To Feature A White Model In Wakanda Gear? Granted, Chances Are You Knew It Wasn't Ok, But Still. As A Former #21Men Brand Specialist For The Company, I'm Highly Offended.

— Mark-Paul (@WhoIsMarkPaul) December 18, 2018

Yet, there are also those who don’t find anything wrong or offensive with the ad, and blaming the “crazy liberals” for making a big issue about it and not being consistent in their calls for supposed diversity and inclusiveness.

I thought the left was all about diversity lol

— Zen (@zenrazor007) December 19, 2018

I can see where this is coming from but we must be careful to state that it’s ok for people who are white to wear black panther clothes as well. Yes, we need more representation for people of color but white people can wear these things too.

— _ (@Tihocan3322) December 18, 2018

Sounds like the upset fans are being a bit racist tiward white people. Didn't realize that Black Panther was strictly for black people.

— Doug Spencer (@dspencer121073) December 18, 2018

Alternate Headline: #BlackPanther fans are racists.

— Buck Thunder (@BuckyThunder) December 19, 2018

Forever 21 has come out with a statement apologizing for the ad. It said:
"Forever 21 takes feedback on our products and marketing extremely seriously. We celebrate all superheroes with many different models of various ethnicities and apologize if the photo in question was offensive in any way."

Source:

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-news-forever-21-sells-black-panther-sweater-white-model-20181218-story.html

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