Dillards and Walmart pulled the singer’s shoes, following complaints that they resemble blackface.
The shoes, known as “Rue Face Slip On Loafers” and “Ora Face Block
Heel Sandals” are part of Katy’s shoe line that features faces on shoes.
They come in different colors but the one at the center of the
blackface controversy is black and features a pair of eyes, a triangle
nose, and red lips.
Social media users, especially African-Americans called Katy Perry out for the shoe design. They also called the shoes ugly.
Following the outrage, Katy’s brand released a statement
acknowledging the shoes were pulled from stores “in order to be
respectful and sensitive.”
Just last week, Gucci was accused of racism after they began selling balaclava sweaters that resemble blackface (read here) and they were forced to pull the merchandise and apologize.
Prada was also recently involved in a blackface scandal after a woman
went into their store and saw the Pradamalia figurines, a monkey-like
trinket which she said is reminiscent of blackface.
