Target's Ads for New 'Annie'-Inspired Collection Draw Controversy

hollywoodreporter.com ^ | 12/30/2014 | Quinn Costello

[rktman]

Delaware mom is taking issue with Target's new ads for its Annie-inspired clothing line.

According to Yahoo! Parenting, L'Sean Rinique Shelton was faced with some difficult questions after her 8-year-old biracial daughter saw an ad featuring a young white model wearing Annie's signature red dress. "She saw the ad and said to me, 'That's not what Annie looks like. How come the new black Annie isn't good enough? Does that mean I'm not good enough?'" Shelton told Yahoo! Parenting.

[rktman]

Sheesh! I guess if you're 8 and the only Annie you know is the one in the current "theatrical" release, that would be the basis for her question? Of course older folks remember the afro totin' big eyed little girl from the past. Of course with the afro, she could have been halfrican-American. So, mom, do a little research and show your daughter the history of "Annie". Didiot. Next up, the black James Bond vs. Rush Limbaugh. :>}

[rockrr]

Annie’s not what Annie looks like. But at least Quvenzhane Wallis is set to play James Bond in an upcoming episode. ;’)

[Gaffer]

I think the new “Annie” movie should be picketed for racism against whites because the original character was white and they have discriminated against whites by putting a black actress in the role.

Two can play that game.

[Cowboy Bob]

Does Naomi Campbell only model dresses designed for Coloured people?

[C. Edmund Wright]

I don’t remember white boys being all upset with Will Smith as The Wild Wild West.......

If you want to know what’s offensive, it’s the fact that about 80% of all “in tact families” in ads are not white.....because as we know, that’s reality, right?

[Flycatcher]

'That's not what Annie looks like. How come the new black Annie isn't good enough? Does that mean I'm not good enough?'"

Ha ha!

Does anyone actually believe this woman's daughter really said those words?

[grania]

Bizarre beyond bizarre. It's okay to have Annie, who's white, rescripted as a black. But it's not okay to have a white model the clothes with an Annie theme. Uh....wouldn't the theme apply to both versions of the movie? Are the clothes only for black girls?

Somebody should tell these crazies to just SHUT UP before the set back race relations even further. They're already far worse than they were in the late '60s and early '70s during forced busing.

Obama's true legacy. JMHO

[FlingWingFlyer]

This so called “mom” needs her @$$ kicked. Is this all she has to b*tch about? I guess she’ll really get PO’d if they don’t come out with a “I Can’t Breathe” Annie doll.

[Shimmer1]

Yes little girl, it’s alllllll about you. Your mama has started you early, eh?!

[HotHunt]

Where do the people come from? Crawling out of the woodwork? This is what serves as controversy nowadays? Give me a break. No one, including Target, can cater to every differing whim and belief out in the world when designing a marketing campaign. If I were offended by everything in this culture I didn't like, I would be spending more hours in the day than 24, trying to complain about them. People just need to get over themselves and accept the fact that the center of the universe is not focused around their own little lives.

Geez! They must think they are that narcissist Obama or something.

[a fool in paradise]

daughter saw an ad featuring a young white model wearing Annie's signature red dress. "She saw the ad and said to me, 'That's not what Annie looks like

Throw out 90 years of history I guess.

Whoever heard of a human doll that talks!

[PLD]

Some blacks have this country hostage every little thingthat does not include a black isn’t right to them..ANNIE was a little red headed white girl..

They are doing like NORTH Korea has done to Soney..bribe every one..I am not saying all blacks do this just the ones that want everything handed to them free of charge.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

Charlie Manson and the Great Caliph are laughing.

[Shimmer1]

According to the mom, the little girl said “the new black Annie” as if she knew there was a previous non black Annie. She undoubtedly put words in the child’s mouth. She’s a liar AND a racist.

[clintonh8r]

Hey! Over here! Look at me because I’m really upset and offended that a little black girl is in the role of a little white girl! Bwaaaaaaaaah! “Ah cain’t breed!”

[a fool in paradise]

I gave up on television because tee vee gave up on me and pushed my background and beliefs into a ghetto.

[jsanders2001]

> If you want to know what’s offensive, it’s the fact that about 80% of all “in tact families” in ads are not white.....because as we know, that’s reality, right?

Or movies where they just have to screw it up by having mixed couples when it seems that the only real mixing in large number in society is between blondes and blacks which you really cant hold against them givn the alternative.../s

[a fool in paradise]

Bizarre beyond bizarre. It's okay to have Annie, who's white, rescripted as a black. But it's not okay to have a white model the clothes with an Annie theme. Uh....wouldn't the theme apply to both versions of the movie? Are the clothes only for black girls?

The PC solution would be to have a Vietnamese girl model them.

[montag813]

"She saw the ad and said to me, 'That's not what Annie looks like. How come the new black Annie isn't good enough? Does that mean I'm not good enough?'"

Is there ANYONE who believes her daughter actually said this canned line? Total B.S.

[jimbug]

I am a retired advertising guy, and one thing that has been very apparent to me is the increase since Obama took office in the presence of black actors in broadcast commercials, way beyond the 13% norm that would accurately represent the demographics of America. It will be interesting to see if this continues after the next election cycle.