Richard,

Not to be disrespectful, but I don't think printing some shirts making fun of stereotypes is in any way related to why planes flew into the WTC, even if the shirts had made fun of Islam. I'm not going to get into the WTC thing anymore, but what offends me is how our society loves to pretend to be politically correct. I have no doubt in my mind that EVERY ONE OF YOU who claims to be offended by these shirts has made an off color comment or joke at one time. Let those who have NEVER made fun of another race throw the first stone. What about the sexist ones, and the threads about hotties (which I KNOW you've participated in Rich). Aren't those as offensive to the people they single out? Women were treated pretty poorly for much of American history as well. By the way, I'm part Asian and a damn good driver but some of my friends make fun of my driving anyways. It doesn't bother me one bit. People, get a life and learn to take a joke.

 

I'm asian and I wore AF for the past 5 years of my life. I really like their style back then but it just sucks now. Basically, AF=overpriced junk. Seriously, even the t-shirts don't fold/hang evenly. They're always lobsided. I just kept purchasing from them even though I know the quality is inferior and the workers are "most likely" racists. Maybe, I'll go and burn all my AF clothing now.

P.S. Does anyone find the "High Quality" labels they sometimes attach to their garments nonsense? Obviously, the quality does not live up to what the label reads.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Strike
[B]Richard,

 

They did pull them..

 

Sorry A&F is too low class for me. Only Armani and shits. but sorry to hear what happened to you. I would hate it too being some sort of asian/middle eastern mix myself. Sorry bro.
life sucks! stand up 4 ur right.

best regards,
LIL Raja

 

I have never bought a and f crap, after that stupid boy band song. Plus after seeing their homo erotic ads in the mall I really steered clear of that place.

 

White and Wong profiteers



[QUOTE]Abercrombie & Fitch tried to sell some silly T-shirts with Asian caricatures a few weeks ago. One showed a pair of slant-eyed Chinese men with the phrase, "Wong Brothers Laundry Service: Two Wongs Can Make It White." Some very loud, wired, and whiny Asian-American kids didn't like them. So the company pulled the clothes line and apologized profusely. "We're very, very, very sorry," a company representative said. "It's never been our intention to offend anyone."

 

Guntersmurf: I laughed really hard at the article, it's well written IMO. Why is it ok for African Americans to say the N word to each other, but view it negatively when spoken by people of other colors? I grew up being called a Chink, Chinaman, etc. in school, and it did hurt - not from the words, but from the malicicous connotation behind the words. Gay, for example, used to mean happiness, right? Since when did that word became one of (depending on your POV) negative connotation? My view is that I could care less what other people calls me, the words don't bother me at all - what bothers me is the hate, the misunderstanding, or the pure stupidity of ignorance behind those words.

 

I don't think A&F marketed those shirts with ill will toward Asians. I do think they were a (poor) attempt to copy what others are selling successfully and they probably would have become popular with the same people who wear yellowfellow et. al. if it hadn't been for the outcry from a few malcontents looking for something to complain about and a bored press looking for something to write about.

What I find offensive is that people are too uptight to laugh at what makes them unique while at the same time pointing out their uniqueness and in some cases asking for special provisions due to the percieved disadvantage their uniqeness brings. A sense of humor is one of the things that seperates humans from amoeba (and lawyers). If we can't have a laugh because of our differences then we are never going to take advantage of our differences either.

We all have a sob story but the successful persevere and succeed in spite of it-- and sometimes because of it. The great thing about living in a free society is the opportunity to exceed what others expect of you and spite is as good a motivator as anything else. You just have to remember that the only thing holding you back is yourself. A t-shirt slogan or a muttered n-word are going to do no more damage to you than you let them.

 

IMO, A&F=overpriced Old Navy sh*t