In January 2025, retailer Target ended its 3-year DEI program, kicking off massive boycotts. The company was starting to recover financially through some new initiatives, none of them involving reinstating any DEI program. Now the chain store is apologizing for stocking an offensive and racist Halloween costume. But we are sure these two things are totally unrelated.
“As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale. 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,” Target posted in statement on its website.
The Offensive Halloween Costume
The costume in question is by Hyde and EEK. It’s sold as a circus clown that glows under blacklight. Customers were horrified by the cloth mask sporting a wide-mouth grin showing rows of large white teeth. Between that, the black gloves, and the entire gaudy orange-and-black ensemble looks like it was based on minstrel shows seen during the Jim Crow era. These shows were inherently racist and created stereotypes that were, and still are, used to justify discrimination, segregation, and racial violence.
In other words, a horrifically bad idea for a child’s costume. It’s hard to look at a minstrel show caricature next to this costume and think that this was unintentional. (There is a possibility this was created overseas where minstrel shows aren’t a thing). But even if it was, how did no one see this? And if they did, how did they not recognize it as racist?
It might be time to consider some more oversight about matters concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion. You know, like Target used to have, 3 years ago..
