Target Features Random White Girl In Ad For ‘Annie’ Line, Ignores Fact That Film’s Star Is Black

Target has made yet another bone-headed decision that is making it harder and harder for me to spend all of my money there. In an ad for their new Annie-inspired clothing line (which I’m assuming consists of both rags for the informal orphan and princess dresses for the more formal adopted child of a millionaire), Target has conveniently featured a random Caucasian girl instead of the film’s star, Quvenzhane Wallis, who is African-American.

Come on, Target. There has to be someone over there who can raise their hand in meetings and say, “Oh boy. Looks like the fox is lickin’ off chicken feathers and them Duke boys’ goose is about to be cooked.” And then pick up their fiddle and tap dance out of the room.

Apparently not. Because this is what the in-store ad looks like:

annie

(From Twitter via Change.org)

And this is what the star of the film looks like:

"Annie" Photocall

(Getty Images)

They could be twins who have different parents and aren’t related to each other!

Target almost could have gotten away with this if the ad said “Annie-inspired clothes at Target because who knows why.” But it doesn’t. What it says is, “Annie: In theaters December 19th.” I am not particularly bright (I’m one of the idiots they write instructions on toothbrushes for), and to me, that ad says very clearly that the white girl is Annie. And what that implies is that someone didn’t consider Quvenzhane to be marketable to the average Target consumer. And that is some racist nonsense.

As the Change.org petition says:

When the original Annie came out, everything was about Aileen Quinn or a character/person that emulated her…why not now Target? If you can show it online, show it in ALL of your stores with multiple signage with different girls not one!

..With Quvenzhane Wallis attending your Target launch, don’t you think that ALL Target stores should have the same signs to embrace all? In addition, that special “Red Dress” is synonymous to Annie- not a random model that does not look like her!

Target, I would like to introduce you to your new owner, the writer of the Change.org petition.

Both of those points are right on. The actress portraying Annie should be the face of Annie and all Annie-related paraphernalia, even the “Annie Eyelash Sweater” which is the creepiest name for a piece of clothing ever. But at least it’s something to pair with my toenail jacket and eyelid pants.

Get it together, Target. Because lately you’ve been disrespecting your customers, and I need a place where I can buy both milk and rain boots.

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