Analysis of H&M's Controversial Practices: Research Essay

This essay analyzes the controversies surrounding H&M, focusing on instances of racism, cultural appropriation, and ethical violations. The introduction highlights the "look the warm monkey in the jungle" ad and other issues, establishing the company's negligence. The essay then examines specific controversies, including the racist advertisement featuring a black child, the release of faux-leather headdresses, and reported low wages and sexual harassment in factories. Each body paragraph provides evidence from various sources and critical analysis. The essay concludes by summarizing the thesis, emphasizing the importance of the topic in promoting respect for human rights and discouraging discrimination. It also suggests areas for further research, such as economic abuse and child abuse. The essay utilizes MLA format and includes a works cited page with sources like Bonilla-Silva, Camara, Castronovo, Schiffrin, and West.

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Introductory Paragraph
Topic Sentence
H&M was put under fire for placing an ad highlighting a black child dressing in a sweatshirt
bearing the words look the warm monkey in the jungle and other controversies.
Thesis Argument
The topic sentence shows the negligence surrounding H&M Company while carrying out its
practices. The company has been reported of posting an advertisement bearing racist attacks by
using words that are not racially sensitive. The words look the warm monkey in the jungle
blended with the image of a child with a dark skin color signify racial abuse. Besides the
company has been caught up in several controversies which include; negligence, cultural abuse,
and sexual harassment, among others.
Supporting Arguments
The paper is going to analyze the various challenges that H&M Company is exposing to a
different group. The main controversy surrounding this company is a significant racist attack on
people with dark skin color. It is against the human rights to use racist terms to attack people by
their color or their place of origin. The racist attack is evident as portrayed in the image used in
their advertisement. Besides, other companies working with H&M choose to stop their operation
due to these attacks (Bonilla 50). This company has portrayed insensitive advertisements and

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many of the other associated companies have stoped their business with H&M following the
racist advertisement they portrayed. This is a lack of respect for black people. There is always a
better way of carrying out these kinds of adverts instead of using a human being. All people all
equal regardless of their culture or race. It is against the human rights to use another human
being for such kind of adverts this is wrong and unacceptable. All this information assists in
cementing that this was not merely an advertisement but a racist attack post. Besides, the
company has been reported to causing offensive attacks to the aboriginal people by realizing a
faux-feather headdress among others covered in this article.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence
After H&M released a variety of faux-leather headdresses to use in the annual summer music
festival, the company received complaints from the aboriginal people.
Evidence
H&M production released a leather headdress to an annual summer music festival as a sign of
cultural appropriation. "The headdress is a symbol of bravery and strength in native American
culture". H&M was not mandated for the production of this clothing hence receiving a lot of
backlash from this community on twitter and other social media platforms.
According to (Schiffrin 70)" Wearing a head dresser is great respect and Honour among the
aboriginal community and commonly worn during battlefields". After the backlash, the company
pulled down the clothing in their annual music festivals accessory without issuing an apology.
Commentary & Critical Analysis
The quote the headdress is a symbol of bravery and strength in native American culture". This
means that the accessory is of high value to the community; hence its production is limited to the

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aboriginal community. Therefore H&M was not mandated to include this accessory in its annual
music festival.
The quote "ahead dresser is great respect and honor among the aboriginal community and
commonly worn during battlefields". This means that the improper use of this accessory was a
sign of disrespect to the aboriginal community. H&M showed disrespect by pulling down the
accessory and not offering an official apology to the indigenous population.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence
H&M South Africa was reported to practicing a racist attack on dark models placed in its
advertisement.
Evidence
The company justified its marketing strategy by saying that featuring black models was a way of
positive advertisement. The company tried to explain its racist attack on the black people.
According to (Castronovo 30)" the management of the company termed the ad as being poorly
judged". The statement fueled anger among the locals since the report claimed that they
processed a poor judgment of that advertisement. Besides, the report from the company about
having worked with other models from other ethnic backgrounds was also racist.
Commentary & Critical Analysis
Terming the South African peoples' judgment on the ad as poor was a sign of a racist attack.
Having posted an ad featuring black models, the company should have been apologetic but
choose to use a more racist attacking statement towards the black people (Camara 55).
Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence

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Asia Floor Wage Alliance released a stamen documenting the low wages and sexual harassment
at factories which included H&M.
Evidence (includes paraphrasing or quoting of external sources you found during your research;
please note you must include at least one adequately incorporated quote per body paragraph):
H&M provided harsh working conditions in its newly opened factories in Asia. Besides, having
vowed to improve on its services, the company went ahead to record cases of sexual harassment
and low wages to its workers. The company also caused deaths after some of its workers fainted
in the workplace. Due to these situations, AFWA said: "they were not convinced that H&M was
no going to cause another disaster".
Commentary & Critical Analysis
AFWA was not convinced that H&M was no going to cause another disaster clearly shows how
ignorant the company was. H&M failed to take the necessary measures in protecting its
employees even after several warnings from AFWA. The actions demonstrate the level of
ignorance processed by the company's management. It is there the responsibility of AFWA to
take tough actions against the company for negligence and abuse of human rights. The
management of the company stands a chance to be interrogated and the individual members
found on the wrong side of the law should be trialed in the court of law.
Conclusion
Summary of the Thesis and Supporting Arguments
The thesis statement creates an image of a company that does not observe the rights of other
groups. The company is portraying an absurd image due to its unjust and abusive statements.
These terms describing the company can be supported by the many practices it's getting involved
in which include racial abuse, cultural abuse, among others.

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Summary of the Importance of the Topic under Study
The topic under study is of considerable significance since it helps in enlightening about the
unjust practices conducted on various innocent groups. Besides, it assists in identifying and
discouraging different instances of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and cultural abuse,
among other unfair practices. This topic is very important as it advocates for the respect of the
human race. It reminds us that no human is better than the other. We are all equal regardless of
skin color or geographical origin. It is a criminal offense to commit discrimination of the human
race regardless of their race. This topic teaches us that the adverts should be neutral and they
should not cause discrimination to any group of people of race. It calls for human dignity and
respect for humans. Moreover, the topic helps us to understand the rights of children. Having the
photo of a child for such racist adverts is a criminal offense and punishable before the court of
law.
Additional Reflection
Having exploited some of the main matters sorrowing different groups concerning H&M
Company, it would be of great importance to carry out a study in the following areas; economic
abuse, interpersonal conflict and job discrimination, child abuse, negligence of human rights
among others.

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Works Cited
Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial
inequality in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2016.
Camara, Babacar. Marxist Theory, Black/African Specificities, and Racism. Lexington Books,
2018.
Castronovo, David. Beyond the Gray Flannel Suit: Books from the 1950s that Made American
Culture. A&C Black, 2014.
Schiffrin, André. The business of books: How international conglomerates took over publishing
and changed the way we read. Verso, 2011.
West, Samantha. "H&M faced backlash over its ‘monkey’sweatshirt ad. It isn’t the company’s
only controversy." TheWashington Post (2018). Retrived from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/01/19/hm-faced-
backlash-over-its-monkey-sweatshirt-ad-it-isnt-the-companys-only-controversy/