Target pulls Halloween costume that drew comparisons to blackface caricatures, apologizes

Target has removed a Halloween costume from its website following complaints that it resembled blackface minstrelsy imagery. The $25 "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit" featured a black-and-orange pattern and a mask with an oversized smile. The product's photo showed a Black child wearing the costume in a pose critics likened to segregation-era caricatures performed by white people in blackface.

Target's photographer apparently instructed the child to mimic these very same poses. The costume was part of the retailer's "Hyde and Eek! Boutique" collection and had been available since earlier this summer. Target issued an apology on Monday, stating, "This is what happens when you don’t have people in the room that look like us.

You end up doing some shit like this." The company clarified that removing the costume is a first step and that it is examining the incident to determine necessary changes. Target's statement acknowledged that the removal was especially hurtful to Black customers, team members, and partners. The controversy comes at a time when Target has recently rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which have drawn backlash from consumers and community organizers.