‘Papa Pashtun’ Halloween garb gets Twitter anger
A description of the costume described the product as a “representation” of the Middle East
Walmart, one of the United States’ largest retailers, pulled a Halloween costume inspired by the Pashtun community in Pakistan and Afghanistan after it was deemed offensive on social media, BuzzFeed news and entertainment website reported.
A description of the costume described the product as a “representation” of the Middle East.
“Whether you’re making a serious political statement or staging a political parody, this authentic looking outfit is sure to fit the bill,” the description read.
The packaged costume included a “long-sleeved beige tops, matching beige pants, brown vest, Turban to match the vest and long grey beard.”
Following public outrage on Twitter instigated by the “Mens Papa Pashtun Costume," the name the garb was being marketed under, Walmart decided to pull the product from all its retailers.
Of all the racist costumes I have seen, never has one made me as angry as this "Pashtun Papa" costume that... http://t.co/GMLsS2TUdF
— Afghans for Justice (@AfghansUnited) October 31, 2014
“When it was brought to our attention on social media, we began working to pull this down. We are deeply sorry that this costume is on our website, and we are pulling it down as soon as possible. We are calling on all of the other retailers to pull it down as well,” Brooke Buchanan, senior director of Walmart Corporate Communications, told BuzzFeed News.
Are you KIDDING ME @Walmart ?? On what planet did you think this was acceptable? http://t.co/WcMPS55yxn
— aidan ali sullivan (@aidanali) October 31, 2014
The costume was sold through Costume Kingdom, a third-part vendor contracted with Walmart and was not examined by the retailing giant first, she said.
“We have strict policies with our third party vendors, and It’s very important to us that products on the site don’t offend groups of people, or minorities.”
The “Arab Sheik” also sparked outrage, however when asked about the costume, Buchanan said she was not aware of the product, BuzzFeed News reported.
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