An Italian airline has
removed a promotional video using an actor in blackface to represent former
President Barack Obama.
Alitalia was advertising its newest Rome-to-Washington D.C.
route by featuring four United States’ presidents – former presidents George
Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama and current president Donald Trump.
The airline was quickly
accused of being racist for using a man in blackface to represent Obama,
instead of hiring a black actor.
The airline apologized
following the backlash and removed the video.
“Alitalia deeply apologizes
for the offense caused by the promotional video on our new Washington route. It
has since been removed from all of our social media channels.
“For our Company, respect for
everyone is mandatory, it was never our intention to hurt anyone and we will
learn from what has happened,” a statement to Fox News from Alitali read.
According to the statement,
Alitalia claims to have removed the video as soon as it was brought to their
attention by a journalist.
However, according to a report by The New York Times,
an airline representative allegedly first defended the video, claiming the
“makeup was applied to highlight features” of the man playing Obama.
Previously, Italian brands
Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana were slammed for controversial advertisements.
In February of this year, Gucci apologized for
creating a $900 knit sweater that appeared to resemble
blackface.
Last year, Dolce & Gabbana
apologized and removed the problematic ads featuring Asian
models trying to eat pizza and Italian food using chopsticks.
“We will never forget this
experience, and it will certainly never happen again,” Gabbana said, adding,
“From the bottom of our hearts, we ask for forgiveness.”
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