Kenyan Family in Sweden Forced to Relocate after "Racist" Advert Featuring their Son Triggers Global Outrage
A Kenyan family in Sweden whose son was featured in a H&M advert that has attracted global backlash due to its ‘racist’ nature has been forced to move out of its residence.
This comes after a global outrage triggered by the Swedish fashion company H&M's advert, which featured the young boy modelling a green hoodie with the message "Coolest Monkey in the Jungle."
The Kenyan couple, Terry Mango and Frank Odhiambo said they have opted to relocate after fears of implications the saga could have on their son.
“The most unfortunate thing is that my son is very young and there’s a lot that’s going to come with this and that really shakes me a little bit,” Odhiambo said in an interview with UK's ITV.
Although their son, Liam is unaware of the controversy around the advert, Mango said that the boy thinks the attention has been triggered by his modelling skills.
“He’s seen the pictures and he’s seen pictures online. He believes people love him for his modelling job and that he’s cool and confident in his job,” she explained.
While admitting they have not had their normal family life since the saga broke out, the two have demanded respect for privacy of the family. They have been forced to move out in search of respite from the debate.
Comments (18)
This could only mean that it was done with parents endorsement...after pocketing the proceeds . They would otherwise be suing the clothing company.
What a shame.
These Kenyan parents sacrificed their son for H&M agenda without a clue of the consequences. All they wanted was money and bragging rights.So gullible, naive and clue less. Such an embarrassment to the black creation everywhere, for just a fee coins they sold their soul. Urimu urimu. Someone needs to give them a crash course on racism.
"Freedom of Choice and speech does not include freedom from the consequences." Anonymous
Evidence: Brother Donald Trump is paying very dearly for his careless comments about Haiti and African countries!
The mother was bragging few day ago that there nothing wrong with his son wearing that hoodie. Now she knows it is very wrong after feeling the pain.
Nah.. I listened to an excerpt of bibi ya Odhis on Newyorks's syndicated FM radio show 'the breakfast club' telling the public to relax. Said she's had racist remarks directed towards her & even called a monkey which shocked her. But in this case to put the t-shirt and the word monkey with racism is not her way of looking at it. She just sees her son modelling a hoodie with the word monkey on it.
She forgot to mention she also saw a cheque. They awarded Odhis na bibi yake 'donkey of the day'.
Just when you've managed to get your kid into a gig that could probably lead to a promising career something like this happens. Its very unfortunate.
They were only seeing the money and could care less if their son modelled in his bathing suit.Asiyee funzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu.
Zero sympathy for their coonish nature.They live in a western society but care more of $$$than the value of their child.
This story does not add up ,unless these dumbest parents are looking for 15 minutes of fame. Why relocate when you can legally Sue
Sue who? The parents assigned an agreement for their child to model. The child cannot do it for himself because he is a minor.
Me thinks they still would have a case....even if they signed for the gig, unless they were signing for every outfit the kid was to don. Moving does not mean they will not sue. Let wait and see.
To my guess the mother was the one dressing her son or they dressed him with the supervision of the mother. The mother has the right to rise alarm if she felt the outfit was inappropriate.
Self Esteem demands that Self-Respect TRIUMPS over Crap like this; Crap that demeans the Africans. By the way: The same People (30 yrs ago) Lied to the World that HIV originated from African Monkeys (yet it Verily Originated and still Originates from their continuing Men-to-Men SHITsexuality in Greece and San Francisco, California (and brought to Africa by Catholic Priests and Tourists).
Mi naskia tu ule wimbo wa Nasa! Nasa! Nasa! Ikiimba kwa kichwa.
Atoti. I am with you. It Ain't Over Until Onyi Jalango Sings "It's Over." Meanwhile: A Luta Continua!
These are luos family, mhe? mortgaging their son's and their own dignity and that of the entire black race for a few shekels. And people keep yapping "Kikuyu na pesa!" Kikuyu de kick jungu out of Kenya through mau mau, now! Don't you think if Kikuyu de like pesa so much mzungu could not have bribed their colonial stay in Kenya? Did you see how South Africans de trash H & M store? Na wao
So so true, I agree. They keep yapping here Mkikuyu na pesa, please!! The Luo family gave up their son to be used for a few coins. Same way Raila goes to beg them(the white people) to destabilize the country so he can be president. Soooo short sighted. He will NEVER be president. Our forefathers did not fight wabeberus so we can later sell the country for 2 cents. Lots of Judases by the lake!!!!
Hypothetically had a mzungu kid done the advert,would it have caused all these backlash? I wonder.
Probably the intent was not racist,but one could see how it can offend black people.Monkeying around could result in unintended consequences.Now the family knows.