Posted on 06/18/2012 7:13:51 AM PDT by null and void
Adidas sparked outrage, accused of 'promoting slavery' by creating a new pair of trainers which have bright orange 'shackles' that fit around the wearer's ankles.
... which many have compared to the devices worn by black slaves in 19th Century America.
The seemingly innocent promotional material asks: 'Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?'
Controversial: Many have said the shoes have connotations of the slave trade (left) and prisoners (right)
Dr Boyce Watkins, writing for Your Black World, said: ...which were never documented in the history books and kept away from you in the educational system, all so you'd be willing to put shackles on your ankles today and not be so sensitive about it.'
'There is always a group of negroes who are more than happy to resubmit themselves to slavery.
'I'm offended by these shoes as there is nothing funny about the prison industrial complex, which is the most genocidal thing to happen to the black family since slavery itself.'
'Regardless if the company was saying the shoes are so hot you have to chain them to you, or they were capitalising on the whole prison style popularity.
It seems Adidas did not want to be outdone by fierce competitor Nike in the controversial shoe design stakes.
In March, Nike was accused of 'huge insensitivity' for launching a £70 'beer-themed' trainer called 'The Black and Tan' in time for St Patrick's Day.
To others, however, it was a historical affront reviving bitter memories of a British unit sent to Ireland to suppress revolt in the 1920s.
One outraged Irish American claimed it was the equivalent of calling a shoe ‘the Al Qaeda’.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
(Full title: 'How would a Jewish person feel if you put a swastika on a shoe?' Adidas under fire for unveiling new trainer with orange 'shackles' like those worn by black slaves)
Seems very appropriate footwear for those who seem to enjoy staying on the democrat plantation.
Simple question. Why do we worry if it mocks convicts, and no one cares if it mocks our POW’s who have been shackled throughout history in prson camps around the World?
IOW I hate the left and am sick of their crap.
Just rename the shoe to “The DEMOCRAT”, since it properly reflects the attachment of the AA Minority to the Democrat Party plantation.
Ironic and entirely appropriate footwear for a group of people who riot outside malls for the chance to spend $150+ on a pair of ludicrously overpriced shoes.
They are ugly.
Anyone really training wouldn’t be wearing something around their ankles.
It’s a gimmick and it will sell shoes.
And people are to damn sensitive, just waiting to be offended.
No, that would LBJ's War on Poverty.
I'm not offended...If someone's offended, don't buy 'em...
I think they would pass them by in the store and maybe never buy that brand of shoe again. Is it related to slavery or sexual bondage? The shoes are stupid but designers are not trained well in school any more. I don’t care what they market. I don’t have to buy.
Some people wake up and say, “What can I be offended by today?”...............
feh...
Guess they didn’t fully think this one through.
No, that would LBJ's War on Poverty.
Given that the writer is a Brit, perhaps he can be forgiven for missing that watershed point in the heat of the moment...
“...designers are not trained well in school any more.”
I have been an industrial designer for over thirty years, so I was trained a long time ago. I am curious on what basis you make the statement above?
Prisons are genocidal? Would it be preferable to have felons running around black neighborhoods? Drugs, crime and welfare do more to harm black families than prisons do.
I don’t know...I think they’re appropriate for the thug class their intended for. Kind of goes along with the baggy pants...ala prison garb...and the gang/prison tattoos these ass clowns seem to like. Black and white.
Maybe they did.
They are trainers, after all...
“Prisons are genocidal” is the kind of overblown, nonsensical, overcharged rhetoric we’ve been hearing regularly for the last forty years.
SoCal Pubbie ~ I have been an industrial designer for over thirty years, so I was trained a long time ago. I am curious on what basis you make the statement above?
If I may?
The standard have fallen for ALL fields, not just yours.
I think these will perfectly fit with the current fashion culture of not wearing a belt (prison style) so that the underwear is shown. These shackles would make a nice addition./sortof sarc
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