Converse apologizes for ad campaign image that resembled a Ku Klux Klan hood and a hanging body

The Grio ^ | 09 18 2026 | Kay Wicker

[yesthatjallen]

After all the atrocities they have inflicted on this nation since their formation roughly 160 years ago, a white, unnervingly pointy hood evokes, without a doubt and without much room for interpretation, the Ku Klux Klan. So much so that even the slightest resemblance can make the hair on the back of one’s neck rise. A new ad campaign by Converse is proving that.

In late August, the legacy shoe brand began rolling out images from its latest campaign for the Chuck 70 X, a modern spin on its classic high-top. Weeks later, they are apologizing after one of those images is facing backlash from people who say it bears an unsettling resemblance to KKK and lynching imagery.

“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,” the brand began in a statement to theGrio. “We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened, and we will do better.”

SNIP

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: converse; decapitatedfeet; klan; lookslikeashoead; nike; ohthehumanity; ohyoubetcha; sneakers

[Williams]

Looks like no such thing.

[dljordan]

“People need to give it a rest.”

What, give up the grift? According to social media 1500 Blacks were lynched by White supremacists last year.

[whitney69]

“I wouldn’t mind seeing Sydney Sweeney in a pair of Converse.”

Only?

wy69

[whitney69]

“...without even imagining any symbolism...”

As you surmised, it isn’t hard to relize that if he had been wearing converse shoes, he’d have gotten away.

wy69

[null and void]

Yes. DUH!

[ansel12]

Good one.

[Texas Eagle]

What the hell is it supposed to be? Somebody in a hospital gown holding a pair sneakers? Weird. Converse should fire the advertising agency that came up with the ad and the executive(s) who approved it. It’s just plain stupid.

[rlmorel]

I have to disagree with many of the posters on this thread. Leftists like to think they are the smartest people in any room, and the Ad Department in any woke sneaker company are majority Leftists, no exception.

I think those who say it is "just a picture" are underestimating how the mindsets of these people work. Especially in a branch of Nike. (Yes-Converse IS owned by the execrable Nike.)

"Mistakes" like this don't happen, because that is a carefully crafted image, but I think people are making a mistake by assuming this is NOT leftist in origin (which I assume is happening with many critics)

Nike and its subsidiaries are wholly Leftist, and they want to rake up racial division and controversy because they make money off of it. That is their thing. And that is what I see here. And it buys Nike publicity...at a bad time for them. Many might think this is not the publicity they would want, but I completely disagree.

Just another example of this mindset that illustrates an important aspect of this: Anyone remember the "Arctic Frost" investigation which was meant to snare Donald Trump (via a joint federal investigation opened in April 2022 involving the FBI, DOJ Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, National Archives and Office of Inspector General into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election results)?

Only a few people pointed this out, but I think it comes to bear on the point I am trying to make. Why did they assign "Arctic Frost" as the name of this weaponized investigation meant to bring down Donald Trump (AKA: "The Evil Orange Man Bad")? Weird name, right?

Yes. "Arctic Frost" is an orange tree. If you think it is a coincidence, I think you are overlooking this aspect of Leftists. It is a snicker-inducing inside joke for Lefties. It is a way to brag, a form of inside entertainment among those in the know.

Because Leftists just love these inside jokes, like naming Obamacare the "Affordable Care Act".

This is the aspect-that they think they are the smartest ones in the room, and that they love to brag about their illegality, comes to a point like this in and out of government.

In the case of Nike (Converse) I don't doubt for a second this is a way to get them into the limelight bring up their image (no difference if that image is good or bad) especially in the week that they are dropped from the S&P 100 this past week. They knew this was coming for months now. That carefully crafted image is exactly that, to make them relevant again. You may think "Why would they insert a coded, racist, anti-black message into their ad?"

Why indeed?

I understand that sometimes "A Cigar is Just a Cigar", but...not to the masters of projection, Leftists. You may disagree, but it is something to consider that it is not an accident.

[rlmorel]

"... wouldn’t mind seeing Sydney Sweeney in a pair of Converse..."

"Sneakers? What sneakers?"

[HamiltonJay]

Stop apologizing to the idiots… you will never appease them and just embolden them..

They see what they want to see, not what is

[HamiltonJay]

Stop apologizing to the idiots… you will never appease them and just embolden them..

They see what they want to see, not what is

[bobbo666]

But never forget that the KKK was created by, funded by, and staffed by only Democrats.

Oh, and they hated Catholics and Jews as much as blacks. That partially explains why the Demo party and its ilk trash talk Israel — they are channeling their ancestors.

[Retain Mike]

I agree. I was not inspired.

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

Just Do It. A brand of Nike (who else?) advancing this stupidity.

[Doctor Congo]

How many people saw this before it was aired? Did any of them look at it with a “stupid person” filter ?

[dfwgator]

Liberals always have the “Heckler’s Veto”

[dfwgator]

This never would have happened with Don Draper.

[equaviator]

It’s a poor quality of meaning that they derive from life in general.

[jmcenanly]

I see someone in a white gown with green sleeves holding a pair of sneakers while wearing a pair. Odd, but not threatening.

[Tacrolimus1mg]

So, someone in a white dress holding a pair of shoes is racist?

These people need a life.