Westword cover draws concerns from community [Video]

DENVER — The cover art used for a Denver Westword article on youth and crime has drawn concerns from the community.

Westword Editor-in-Chief Patricia Calhoun said in an email to 9NEWS that backlash from the March 28 publication didn’t come to her office until Friday, April 12. She said once she heard the feedback, she knew an apology was in order.

The imagery showed a young boy with purple skin and curly, black hair.

DU Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Director and Associate Sociology Professor Reggie Byron also saw the imagery as controversial.

“My initial thought was from the hairstyle to the hoodie, the image reflects harmful stereotypes that demonize black youth, and point them out as the only culprits of violent crime,” …