American Red Cross apologizes for poster some call racist

The American Red Cross issued an apology Monday for a water safety poster that some suggested had a racist message.

The cartoon poster showed children playing in a swimming pool. Nearly all of the white children’s activities were labeled as “cool,” while the children of color were depicted acting in unsafe ways and were labeled “not cool.”

To see the poster, click here.

KUSA-TV talked to Margaret Sawyer, who first saw the poster in Salida, Colorado, and then again in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

She said she first thought it was outdated – that it couldn’t be a recent poster.

A Red Cross spokesman says the posters have since been removed and more appropriate material is being developed.

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Information from: KUSA-TV, http://www.9news.com