Tesco apologises as mum left disgusted by ‘racist’ T-shirt featuring a black mermaid with ‘too fluffy’ hair
TESCO has apologised after a mum was left disgusted by a “racist” T-shirt in one of its supermarkets.
Shopper Katie Well was shocked when she discovered the garment, which featured the words “her hair is too fluffy” next to a drawing of a black mermaid.
The T-shirt was inspired by the children’s book That’s Not My Mermaid – and Tesco has since vowed to never buy the design again.
Katie spotted the design when shopping in Kent this week, and was with her two daughters at the time.
She told Kent Live: “We were walking down the main middle aisle and we saw the set from a distance. I got excited because diversity in clothing is particularly rare.
“I read the text on the shirt and was really shocked. It’s not something any child should read on a t-shirt, and it perpetuates a stereotype – it’s racism.”
Tesco has apologised for any offence caused, but has not committed to stopping sales of existing stock, it was reported.
That’s Not My Mermaid was written by Fiona Watt and illustrated by Rachel Wells, and is available to buy on Amazon and in bookshops.
It is part of Usbourne’s “touchy-feely” range, and children can run their fingers along some of the mermaids’ features.
People have also raised the point that touching a black woman’s hair is also problematic, with numerous comment pieces being written about the issue.
We remain absolutely committed to ensuring that Tesco is a place where everybody is welcome and apologise for any offence caused.
Tesco spokesperson
Katie said: “Tesco needs to do better. They clearly need to diversify their purchasing team and be aware of this.”
Many people agreed on Twitter, with one saying: “Tesco please explain what’s wrong with the BLACK mermaid’s fluffy hair??”
A spokesperson for Tesco told Fabulous: “We remain absolutely committed to ensuring that Tesco is a place where everybody is welcome and apologise for any offence caused.
“We will not be purchasing any more orders of this product.”
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Previously, shoppers slammed Amazon for selling T-shirts, mugs and baby bibs saying ‘slavery gets s**t done’.
It also came under attack after listings with racist abuse including the N-word appeared on its UK online store.
And shoppers slammed H&M over ‘racist’ advert showing black youngster wearing a ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’ hoodie.