Target faces renewed backlash for Halloween costume with 'minstrel show features'

Retailer Target pulled a children's Halloween costume from its shelves after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4247x2831+0+0/resize/4247x2831!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fab%2F14%2Fb7f5344145919c92e6229778b45e%2Fap26237808284639.jpg' alt='FILE - The Target logo displayed on a sign outside a store, Nov. 18, 2025, in Salem, N.H.'/><p>Retailer Target pulled a children's Halloween costume from its shelves after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.</p><p>(Image credit: Charles Krupa)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-140195' />