Apr11

Racist Trainers?

Seems like a fuss is being kicked up by the Chinese-American community about an Adidas trainer which has created a supposedly stereotypical image of an Asian guy on the tonge of the latest shoe.
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4895898.stm

Firstly, in what way does it offend Chinese? The designer never actually said the image was of an Asian person (or specifically Chinese in that matter), so why would Chinese people kick up a fuss about it? By them associating a goofy kid with slanty eyes and a pudding bowl haircut as being Chinese, they’re the ones who could be deemed racist.

This reminds me of the Golliwog image from Golden Shread marmalade, which has now been discontinued due to protest that the image was racist. I can understand how the name is racist and was changed to “Golly” back when I was a kid. When I was young, I used to love collecting the marmalade tokens and saving up to get the latest badge.
See http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/golliwog/ for further information on the demise of the Golly.

Surely in this day and age we aren’t so close minded to be shocked by a drawing which may or may not be a characture of a race of people.

I guess we should also say goodbye to the following logos also:

Genki Sushi

Milky Bar Kid

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One Response to “Racist Trainers?”

  1. msxie Says:

    they could’ve used a hooked-nosed caricature instead, but we all know the Jewish anti-defamation league would condemn it as anti-semitic.

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Giles DaweHello! My name is Giles Dawe.

I am an Award Winning Web Developer / Artist.

I've been involved in the internet industry since 2000.

Currently based in Zhuhai, China. Copyright 2009.