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A new advertisement brought about through Gap Kids and Ellen DeGeneres has people wondering if their portrayal of a black child is problematic.

According to Refinery29, a series of promotional ads for the talk show host’s new collection, GapKids x ED, dropped on Friday (April 1) featuring members from the Le PeTiT Cirque. The all-kid humanitarian cirque company boasts the most talented singers, dancers, and gymnastics prodigies in the country. One of the main ads shows an older White child leaning on the head of a Black trapeze artist, which ruffled the feathers of many.

As the other girls, ages 8 to 11 were portrayed to look strong and confident, the Black artist is motionless. Videos accompanying the promo photos were found on YouTube. While the other girls engage with Ellen, the Black child goes unnoticed with little-to-no camera time to present her skills.

The company, nor DeGeneres, have spoken out about the ad. According to Gap’s social media, the advertisement was meant to show girls can “do anything” by pushing the limits and being themselves.

In the same breath, many pointed out an older Gap ad that showed an older Black child leaning on the head of a white child.

Do you think the new Gap Kids ad is problematic? Sound off in the comments below.

SOURCE: Refinery29 | PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter

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New Gap Kids Ad Featuring Black Child Slammed For Racial Subtext  was originally published on newsone.com