The photo captures four girls aged 8 to 12. Two are striking acrobatic poses to bookend the two in the middle; all portray a confident attitude of youth. The tallest girl is resting her arm on the smallest girl.
In a playful attempt to advertise a line of activewear for young girls, the Gap, a popular clothing company founded in 1969 that sells "in" clothing for the younger generation, has taken a flogging by the screaming Left.
It seems the Gap advertisement has enraged the Left, which lives in a constant state of irritation. You see, the taller girl, who is white, is alleged to be an oppressor of the younger girl, who is black. In short, the big white girl is holding the young black girl down.
As seen in multiple news accounts, the video campaign features popular daytime TV host Ellen Degeneres with a group of talented and happy young ladies, all members of an athletic troupe called "Le Petit Cirque." It provides lively discussion about its uniqueness as the "only all-humanitarian kid circus," which depends upon teamwork, trust and composure. DeGeneres applauds their talents and commitment to "inspire and empower" others in their youthful demographic.
But the social media universe of Twitter lit up in response to the single freeze-framed image of the talented quad with responses such as:
- "So @Gap decides to use the only Black girl in this campaign as a prop";
- "@GapKids Thanks for perfectly illustrating what 'passive racism' looks like in mainstream media. #DiversityFail She is NOT your arm rest";
- "@GapKids proving girls can do anything unless she's Black. Then all she can do is bear the weight of White girls. #EpicFail."
But viewing this single screenshot fails to convey the message of power and confidence these young athletes possess as shown in the full one-minute video with DeGeneres. Never mind, the Left can find victims everywhere - in action, statement or thought.
So the Gap took its public whipping, issued groveling apologies and pulled that image of the young ladies. Ironically, the give-and-take among the girls captured in the video has them talking of their own "rule" that "kindness is a law" and that when they "all run for president" their plans are to "make that law."
And, what did the mother of the young black athlete who, according to the offended masses, was "used as a prop" have to say?
In a Twitter post of her own, actress Brooke Smith responded, "They are sisters!" The "victim," as it turns out, is the sister of the taller girl in the photo.
How typical is this reaction. Ignore the facts. Search out offense and victims, trumpet disapproval via social media and demand apologies.
The Gap is an international clothier that also owns big brands such as Old Navy and Banana Republic. Too bad this wasn't an ad for the latter, Banana Republic, which was founded in 1983. You see, a banana republic is a politically unstable country that survives on the export of one product. It seems America's one export from the screaming Left is idiocy.
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, is owner of Rivers Edge Alliance.