Red Cross apologizes for ‘super racist’ poster

The organization fell under criticism after an image of a pool-safety poster made the rounds online. It said it has ‘taken every step to address the situation.’

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If there’s a chance people could get offended by your materials, think twice before publishing.

The Red Cross learned this lesson after pool-safety materials displayed in multiple facilities sparked outrage online.

Fortune explained:

The poster in question, called “Be Cool, Follow the Rules,” shows children of different races playing together in a pool. The white children are shown diving and swimming, activities deemed “cool.” The children of color are pushing, running, and carrying beverages—and are labeled “not cool.”

Backlash grew after a Twitter user—who complained to a lifeguard and management of the facility where she saw the poster—shared a picture online and called it ‘super racist’:

Hey, @RedCross, send a new pool poster to @SalidaRec bc the current one they have w your name on it is super racist pic.twitter.com/TY8MmFB3Qk

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