Target apologizes for children’s clown Halloween costume after backlash

Target has pulled a controversial Halloween costume off its shelves after criticism across social media that it resembled a racist caricature.

The costume, marketed as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” was advertised with an image of a Black child wearing a bright orange and black top, solid black gloves and a mask featuring a wide, toothy smile.

The child’s pose and the costume’s gloves and mask were compared to caricatures of Black people used in minstrel shows.

The company announced it pulled the item and acknowledged the issue in an apology.