In today’s society, we expect advertisements to reflect the diversity and inclusivity of our world. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. Recently, a mother named Meagan Nash experienced firsthand the discrimination her son faced when applying to be a model for Oshkosh B’Gosh, a popular children’s clothing company. The reason? Her son, Asher, has Down syndrome.
Meagan, a loving and proud mother, sent in photos of her 15-month-old son who perfectly fit the company’s requirements. Despite his height, hair color, and eye color being ideal for the role, the company showed no interest in using Asher as a model. Meagan reached out to the representatives, questioning their decision to exclude her son because he “had special needs.”
Understandably, Meagan was angry and frustrated. She could accept that not every child could be chosen as a model, but denying her son an opportunity solely because of his extra chromosome felt unjust. Determined to make a change, Meagan shared pictures of Asher on the Facebook group “Kids with Down’s syndrome,” capturing his charm in photographer Crystal Barbee’s delightful blue denim shirt and bow tie ensemble.
The response was overwhelming. Asher’s photos quickly gained traction, with thousands of people rallying behind him. Meagan urged others to share Asher’s story and pictures. She wrote a message to Oshkosh B’Gosh, requesting them to reconsider their decision and show the world what truly “Changing the Face of Beauty” means.
At the time of writing, Asher’s photos have received over 100,000 likes on Facebook. Meagan has teamed up with the organization “Changing the Face of Beauty” to advocate for more inclusivity in advertising. It’s crucial to note that it was an agency, not the clothing company itself, that turned down Asher.
Let’s unite and bring attention to Asher’s story. Share these images of this handsome and charming boy if you believe he deserves to be a model for any children’s clothing company. Together, we can make a difference and promote true diversity in the fashion industry!
