New York CNN –
Bath and Body Works has stopped selling a candle decorated with a winter theme that many online commenters have compared to a Ku Klux Klan hood.
The “Snowed In” candle label is decorated with a stylized paper snowflake. But many people on social media compared it to the hoods and gowns worn by Klan members. The Ku Klux Klan is one of the “oldest and most notorious hate groups” in the United States, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Anti-Defamation League says the KKK hood images themselves have become a symbol of hate.
The candle has since been pulled from Bath and Body Works and retail locations, with the company telling CNN in a statement that its design was “inadvertent.”
“At Bath and Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers, and committed to fixing any mistakes we make, even inadvertent ones like this one,” a company spokesperson said. “We apologize to anyone we offended and are working quickly to remove this item and evaluating our process moving forward.”
Commenters on Reddit jumped on the design choice, calling it a “klandle” or “Klan Krismas Kandle.” Some people who tried to order the candle after the controversy erupted late last week said on social media that their orders had been cancelled.
However, the canceled candle appeared on eBay, where one person tried to sell the candle for $350. Site policies prohibit listings that include racist terms or language, however the candle will remain on eBay because it is not overtly racist.
“EBay’s policies prohibit listings that include racist terms or language,” a company spokesperson said. “Any items marketed using racist language will be blocked or removed.”
Candles are a staple of the Bath & Body Works collection, which has evolved beyond soaps and lotions. Every year, the retailer rolls out its line of holiday-scented candles that account for nearly 40% of its annual sales, according to one analyst.
