Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Converse Pledges Ad Review After KKK Imagery Backlash
Converse made a shoe advertisement featuring singer Karina.
Some people thought the lighting on her white skirt looked like a Ku Klux Klan hood.
They also thought the shoes looked like the feet of someone being hanged.
Converse removed the advertisement and apologized.
CEO Aaron Cain said the images should not have been used.
He said the company would examine how advertisements are reviewed and make changes.
Some critics demanded stronger accountability, including firing staff or boycotting Converse.
Other people said they did not think the imagery was intentional.
Converse removed a Chuck 70 X social media ad after critics said it evoked the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.
The image showed K-pop singer Karina holding Chuck 70 X sneakers, with lighting on her skirt resembling a KKK hood to some viewers.
Critics also said the position of the shoes suggested the dangling feet of a lynching victim.
CEO Aaron Cain apologized, said the images should not have been used, and promised to review Converse’s internal processes.
The backlash comes as Nike-owned Converse faces 13 consecutive quarters of revenue contraction.
- Who
- Converse, CEO Aaron Cain, K-pop singer Karina, and critics of the advertisement.
- What
- Converse removed and apologized for an advertisement criticized as evoking KKK imagery and lynching, while pledging to review its advertising process.
- When
- The advertisement was recently criticized; Converse issued its apology on Friday, and the company’s response was reported afterward.
- Where
- The advertisement appeared on social media and was removed from Converse’s channels and other locations where it appeared.
- Why
- Critics interpreted the lighting, skirt, shadows, and positioning of the sneakers as racist imagery associated with the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.
Critics’ View
Converse and Supporters’ View
Meaning of the imagery
Critics’ View
Critics said the white triangular lighting on Karina’s skirt resembled a Ku Klux Klan hood and that the shoes looked like the feet of a lynching victim.
Converse and Supporters’ View
Some commenters defended Converse and said they did not believe the imagery was intentional.
Responsibility for approval
Critics’ View
Critics questioned how the advertisement passed the company’s review process, while civil rights attorney Lee Merritt said an apology did not undo failures by legal, marketing, and leadership teams.
Converse and Supporters’ View
Converse acknowledged that the images should not have been used and said it would examine its internal review process, learn from the incident, and make changes.
Consequences
Critics’ View
Critics called for staff involved in the advertisement to be fired and urged a boycott of Converse.
Converse and Supporters’ View
Converse responded by removing the ad and apologizing, but did not specify which personnel or processes might change.
- Company
- Converse, a Nike-owned footwear and apparel brand
- Campaign
- Chuck 70 X
- Featured performer
- K-pop singer Karina
- Company response
- Converse removed the ad, apologized, and said it would work to remove it everywhere it appeared
- CEO response
- Aaron Cain said Converse would review its internal process and make necessary changes
- Financial context
- Converse has experienced 13 consecutive quarters of revenue contraction
- Nike response
- A Nike representative declined to comment
