One Man Perfectly Shut Down People Who Called Forever 21 Racist Over White Model In A Wakanda Sweater
Not such a long time has passed since the fast fashion giant H&M got slammed as ‘racist’ for featuring a photo on their website with a black boy wearing a jumper saying “The coolest monkey in the jungle.” Now another behemoth of cheap clothes – Forever 21 – is facing backlash from the internet after sharing a photo on Twitter and their website, featuring a white model wearing a Wakanda Forever sweater. The advertised holiday sweater is inspired by the movie Black Panther – a huge Hollywood hit that was released earlier this year. Wakanda is the fictional Sub-Saharan African country in this Marvel story, the home of Black Panther. In the controversial photo, a white male model with blonde hair is sporting a purple, yellow and orange sweater with “Wakanda Forever” written on it and a Black Panther logo. Many were outraged by the use of a white model for a product that, according to some, was inspired by a movie which celebrates the African experience and addresses Western colonization.
This is the picture that caused outrage among many people on Twitter
Image credits: Forever 21
The internet called out Forever 21 for being completely “tone deaf”
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Image credits: felicianista
Image credits: WhoIsMarkPaul
Image credits: Lyracet90
Forever 21 has since issued an apology, and removed the photo from both their website and Twitter
Image credits: Elvert Barnes
The company released a public statement: “Forever 21 takes concerns on our products and marketing extremely seriously. While we celebrate all superheroes with many different models of various ethnicities, we listened to the important feedback from our customers and removed the product photo in question from our website and social media accounts. We sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by the product photo.”
However, this guy had a completely different opinion about the matter
Many people supported his opinion and believed that neither the sweater, nor the model are “real issues”
A lot of Twitter users also supported the opinion that accusations of racism have no real basis
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Image credits: lidl_peasant
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Share on FacebookThis is ridiculous. I am a white female and I love the movie and comic Black Panther. I have more than one Black Panther shirt, and he is one of my favorite Marvel superheroes. I'm sorry, does this mean I can only wear shirts featuring Black Widow? No. It is so freaking stupid that people get offended over every little thing. America is screwed if this is what it's gonna be like.
It's not only America. It's the whole wide world! I live in Spain and it's exactly the same thing: one group or another always feeling outraged by small details or comments and then totally oblivious of really important issues like REAL racism, REAL discrimination, REAL inequality...
Load More Replies...Oh god, this is incredibly stupid. Only black people are supposed to wear that, huh? Just a tiny bit racist.
If Mulan were made today for the first time, they'd accuse Disney of cultural appropriation.
Load More Replies...Forver21 apologized and removed the ad? Bullying works! If you are loud enough, you are getting your way! Whether you're right or not is not important! I thought I've read an article about that somewhere!
Just once I wanna see a company with a loaded owner who's about to retire anyway issue a tweet that either gives the dictionary definition of hypocrisy (which SJW's are chock full of), or to have it simply say "Go f**k yourself" and be done with it. I can't imagine how satisfying that would feel.
Load More Replies...I hate it when people see racism where there isn't any. Surely, they are the ones being racist?
The fact that a former brand specialist (Mark-Paul) feels "highly offended" is HILARIOUS.
Guess I need to toss all my Bugs Bunny and Winnie the Pooh t-shirts. Neither a bunny nor a bear I be. Sigh...
and I will have to stop wearing my Snoopy shirts (hmm and my dogs can't wear them because they are Cairn Terriers not beagles!)
Load More Replies...Wooow...the racist part is the fact people are upset he's white. Who the f**k cares? Equality is not caring about race, if you're upset about this you're no better than a member of the KKK.
Heres a thought.... no one gives a s**t there are bigger issues in the world than what colour you have to be to like a certain movie.😂
The tweets are more racists.. Why a white boy can like a black superhero??
How ridiculous. He looked amazing with that sweater, the colours look really good with his skin tone.
Yep, I was about to write this. Also, we may read this as an evidence that popculture connects people: look, "the whitest of white people" boy is wearing something connected to (fictive) "black" culture. Cool. But no, we better start a big drama and start looking for inappropiation.
Load More Replies...The same people who scream about wanting equality get offended when they actually get it. Superheroes are for everyone. Imagine what would happen if we called out black people for wearing an Iron Man or Batman shirt? But that would never happen because it's just downright stupid and wrong to even entertain it.
White people aren't allowed to express they enjoy a movie with 90% black cast? People will never be happy.
If we truly live in a country heck a WORLD where everyone is equal then that means a white man can whatever the heck he wants as long as he respects the culture that goes along with it. I am from India and I have met people who say things along the lines of, "Oh yeah I've been to an Indian wedding, I wore the little sash thing and the crop top. It's so cute!" or maybe this, "I belly danced in the little costume we had to wear at the Indian wedding I was invited to" I am completely fine with people from other cultures and parts of the world wearing saris but you better not call my cultures traditional clothing a crop top and sash. Is this white man not worthy of wearing that sweater? Is he not good enough because his skin tone isn't dark enough? Isn't that not racism? Saying someone can't do something or wear something because of their skin tone?
Goddamit, is an imaginary country! In this context, ladies, don't wear white leggins, Smurfs can be easily offended!
Hahahahahahahaha!! So also, everyone who ever went on a holiday anywhere, where main population skin colour is NOT white and bought a souvenir T-shirt or summat, BURN IT WITH FIRE! You are NOT allowed to wear it if you're white. Wtf people?
WTF man.....how is it racist to wear a Wakanda sweater!? So they loved black panther, and that makes them racist?? Too many bloody snowflakes out there getting triggered by everything. GET A LIFE!!!
I am more upset with Forever21 with caving in to these bandwagon idiots that can't tell a fictional land from reality. these so called "Woke" individuals are the epitome of racism in their comments about the advert being racist. Just freakin' wow...forever 21, grow a backbone and speak up for yourself.
My 4 year old, pale skinned, bloned haired, blue eyed son is obessed with Black Panther, thats all he wants for Christmas. He has the shoes and I have had only one issue, a white parent told me that maybe it was wrong for my son to have those shoes. I told her it was wrong for her to even have that thought. My son loves Black Panther and he why not? I will not teach my son that him having a hero that does not look like him his wrong.
Your son is clearly transracial. He has a black persons brain in a white body. You need to get him on hormone treatment IMMEDIATELY and start the long painful process of grafting black skin onto his. Its tough...some people will ridicule him and you and deny your sons transraciality and existence, but you can do it. Be strong for him.
Load More Replies...Two of the best comebacks I read about this topic... "sorry to be offensive to your imaginary nation" "Sorry to enjoy this piece of your culture created by two white jews I love"
If they think it's racist, I think it's more racist to get offended by such photo and think that only black people can wear it. Oh gosh, what's wrong with people? It makes me think that they just enjoy playing as the victim. On the other hand, I don't understand why Forever 21 just removed it without conveying their intentions properly on why they displayed the photo in the first place. Yeah people don't like it so let's remove it and that's it. It makes me say "whut?" Is it just pure business? It could have been their chance to put some "sense" on that photo and try stuffing it into those "mah-heart-mah-sole delicate" creatures' minds.
They removed it because they aren't in the business of taking sides either way with social f**k-all. They just want this to go away so they can continue to sell clothes and satisfy their shareholders, like any normal company does. I guarantee the owners don't give a f**k.
Load More Replies...God people need to just shut up and stop getting offended by literally everything. People really need to gage what is actually offensive like politicians trying to pass discriminatory law against he LGBT and other groups and stupid c**p like a white wearing a fake African nation Christmas sweater.
The last tweet is the best and most hard-hitting. SJWs are essentially asking for segregation, and it's way more f****d up than an image like that ever will be.
It was movie with black people in it. That doesn't mean everyone else is wrong for rocking the gear. We don't own the rights to everything Wakanda. Stop it.
Don't these idiots realise Wakanda isn't a real place? I hate how people attempt to make something racist when it so clearly isn't. If people want to see a significant reduction of racism, stop doing s**t like this. Trying to make something be about race for absolutely no reason. I'm half black and can't get over how utterly absurd stuff like this is. Forever 21 had to issue an apology and took the item off their website?? That's disgraceful!
Question: why is it that black people tend to complain what other races do? I don't hear Mexicans, Asians, Egyptians or 'Whites' ever caring what the black race does, so why do they bother with anybody else? They seem to be more racist than their own racism. The store shouldn't have ever apologized as they don't deserve our degradation. Men are now allowed to wear our panties and i don't see women going after them or complaining over it. But, i AM very disgusted on the fact that movies seems to be obligated to add at least one black dude to keep 'blacks' happy, but i still won't go after them with a machete over it. I should buy that shirt and wear it to hit them where it hurts: a white scrawny woman wearing a shirt allegedly designed for the 'hood'. Then again, we're all allowed to be racists, right? There's no crime.
My sweet Jesus... could we just let ppl wear what the hell they wanna wear? Black ppl can´t do this. White ppl can´t wear that. Girls toys. Boys toys. Stop it! As we say : "El burro hablando de orejas"!
Im noticing that the media keeps covering these stories and giving these idiots the stage. They are just as bad... making a big deal out of all these petty issues giving these racist crybabies a voice and an audience. All they do is further divide us.
And we contribute by clicking on the article because we like being outraged too. I'm guilty as s**t of clicking on stuff I already know will p**s me off.
Load More Replies...So the next time I see a black person wearing a superman shirt or a black santa I can get pissed?
Haha, try it and see what happens. Please film and post it.
Load More Replies...Oh, no! It's terrible! It's probably the most important problem of this day! How dare they! I hate how today's people are outraged about just everything. Ok, maybe I do not understand, because I am "typical" white female, not even from any minority in my country. But... Wakanda is not even real? Why it is that when person of colour wants to dress as i.e. Elsa from "Frozen", but if white man is posing in Wakanda's sweater, people are angry? Al this fuss is not even a bit about equality, it's about how people like to quarrel. By the way, I have two favourite T-shirts: one with irish motive and one with Chinese dragon. I do not look like a "stereotypical" Irishwoman and I am not even a bit Asian. Now I need to throw these away, I suppose?
You mean I can't be in a suit and tie? I need to track down those Han dynasty attire
Many black people enjoy being perpetually aggrieved. In many cases it's easier than getting their s**t together.
Ivy league students protest and claim oppression. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Load More Replies...There are very real issues of race, color, economic status, gender and others in our society. These issues need addressing no matter who gets offended. But this isn't one of them.
CAN EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!!! People would get offended by the statement "African Americans are African American"
I am black and I don't have a problem with people of any race wearing this sweater. First of all, Wakanda is not a real country and secondly, it was created by a white man. All of this racial sensitivity seems to be who don't actually know what it's like to be the races that they are defending.
f4gq0t r******d n1gq3r cun7s get offended by anything. USA is failed as a country and it was doomed from beginning. USA will last up to 50 years if lucky. This shithole country isnt going to survive.
So are these people suggesting there's a segregated black section where there are clothes only black people can wear and are they okay with this notion? What clothes are black people not allowed to wear that is too white in their mind?
Wait a moment, so cause I'm whiute I can't wear Wakanda stuff? But I liked Black Panther and Wakanda itself was absolutely one of the biggest gems in Marvel's movie franchise...
Are we not going to talk about how incredibly ugly that sweater is? Why would ANYONE wear that.
Twitter is just a cesspool. Seriously. 9/10 times when one of these "internet was outraged" stories pop up, it's because of some b******t someone posted on Twitter. Can we just collectively stop giving so much attention every spat these twitter drama llamas have?
OMW!!! I am so sick and tired of this kind of c**p! Get a life people - stop causing chaos out of nothing!! Stop being so bloody racist and ignorant!!!
It's called marketing. I bet they have photos of black people wearing this kind of stuff, too, trying to take advantage of the movie to sell products. Think product sales increase when someone sees someone similar wearing the product? Why, yes, yes it does.
This argument is about arguing for the sake of arguing,. There are real problems out there in the world that need solving and a couple of twits, who have nothing to do, have stirred up a controversy where there was none.
If anyone is really offended by this, all I can say is... better get used to it. There's a lot of white Bank Panther fans out there. I'll go so far as to say that most BP fans are white.
Hmm, what should I get offended by today? (throws dart at dartboard) Now anime fans are racist for liking Asian characters, even though they're not Asian!
So... I can't dress my little nephew as a cowboy cause he's not from texas? As long as you're doing it to ridicule someone , you can dress however u like.
Insert sarcasm: Oh and he can't dress up as an "Indian" to play cowboy and Indian either because I'm native and I said no. End sarcasm.
Load More Replies...In my opinion it is not solely about the model being white and wearing the Wakanda sweater. The issue that the ethnic community has is that when it is time to represent African Americans we are always overshadowed by a white person. Regardless if the film was made and created by a white man(typically the only ones who have the financial means to do so) it is representing African culture and therefor should have an ethnic person modeling the clothing to follow the theme. It does not mean that any other race cannot wear the item at all just simply when you are advertising the item, allow it to be advertised by someone from that culture. We all have the freedoms to buy and wear what we want, however time and time again our representation is white washed or using models that are "passing"/extremely light skinned. Everyone would like to see all ethnicities represented equally, in a world where most marketing is targeted to white audiences using the standard blonde hair blue eyes look.
Give the colored people a chance, rather than white shits doing everything a black could be doing (who knows maybe they just might be better than you racist's.)
Because saying someone can’t model a shirt because they’re a different skin color is not racist?
Load More Replies...This is just full of s**t, why would they have a white man model a "Wakanda forever" sweater?!Racist people are wrong about people of color, think of this racist people seeing this right now, would YOU want to be kicked and laughed about just because your a different color/race??? Think about that for a bit ok. Forever21 get nrew models perferibly black people, because in life you nreed to exept them too.
I am not racist, and plus people can do whatever they want to do like wearing there clothes that THEY pick. Its rediculous
It amazes me that people are actually becoming offended over something as trivial as this. I appreciate that Black Panther includes African culture and I love the idea that it can become empowering to African Americans. But white people(or, really, people who aren't black in general) can like him as a superhero too! They can't control their skin color any more than everyone else can. Are you going to start being offended if you see a non-white model wearing a Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, or Dr. Strange shirt? People need to worry about things in life that are actually offensive.
If I wore a T-shirt with Nelson Mandela on it because I admire him and wish to honor him by making other people think about what a great man he is, that would be a problem if we are using the same thought process used in the Forever 21 criticism. So now we cannot honor other cultures by advertising how cool we think they are? I thought we were supposed to embrace difference and be accepting of other cultures and ideas. Let's not let a few short sighted people ruin cultural unity. Let's not bring back segregation even if fictional characters.
Just the fact that there really are people out there specializing on " hating" everything, keep it to yourself, we don't give a fat flop what you don't like!
This mean that all black's who living not at the African continent - ARE RACISTS!!!
It is clear all thing, so all black's who living in not African territory - ARE RACISTS! BE KNOW IT!
WAKANDA DOES NOT EXIST! For F**k's sake! How f*****g r******d are these people?! (And dont u f*****g tell me not to use the "R" word, because it may offend someone somewhere! Use you f*****g brain OR a dictionary & see what "r******d" means). F**k Social Justice Warriors!
Does that mean only Munchkins can wear an OZ t-shirt ? It's a made-up place people, like Neverland and Narnia
Never have bothered watching the movie simply because of the 'political activity' that followed it. I grew up in the midst of that c**p. Unnecessary argument
Rotten Tomatoes had it at well over a 90% rating right before it came out and a whole bunch of the commenters said things like "I bet this movie is going to be amazing". M***********s hadn't even seen it yet rated it 5 stars. I wanted to slap the s**t out of each and every one of those idiots.
Load More Replies...The bigger problem is the model looks like he doesn't want to be wearing the sweater. Wouldn't any kind of clothes sell better if it looked like the models looked they at least liked it themselves?
You’ll notice most models either have a blank expression or look somewhat depressed. Can’t blame them if you have to cope with the fashion industry.
Load More Replies...I have a "Big Bang Theory" t-shirt, but I'm not Indian nor Jewish. Should I cut Raj and Howard out of it?
Oh, and I'm not male either. Think I'll cut everyone out except Penny, just to be sure.
Load More Replies...It doesn't matter who is wearing the sweater... if it had been a black man A WHOLE DIFFERENT GROUP (or maybe the same group) if people would be offended and calling it racist.
The only thing offensive here are his pants. They actually paid somebody to pick those out.
All I saw was this weird looking guy wearing a butt ugly sweater. Thanks to Panda I now realize I should be offended. I'm still not quite sure what about but that doesn't seem to be relevant.
I don't have a problem with a white person wearing the shirt but I think it's weird they described it as the coolest monkey in the jungle. Are they referring to the Jabari tribe? Cause they worship the gorilla god.
It's very interesting that most of the comments in this thread are not from black people. The real issue is not about the piece of clothing, it's the marketing of a product based upon a film that showcases and lifts up black empowerment in world that has consistently and systematically marginalized black communities and black identity. Forever 21 chose to use a white model to sell this particular product. This choice further pushes the concept that black identity needs to have permission from a white person to exist and be successful. It was a completely ignorant and insensitive decision for Forever 21 to even consider using a white model in this situation. Validation: I am marketer.
It is a movie about a character made by white people working for a company founded by a white man which has sold to another white male CEO who is running a company founded by a white man. The man is wearing a sweater which first was mass produced in white countries. It is to celebrate Christmas a holiday started in Ancient Rome. It is a product made in South east Asia, by South East Asians for a South East Asian company to be sold at a store where most of the consumers are white. So in what way was this black culture? Forever 21 is a Korean company...tell me when Koreans have marginalized blacks. There have been HUNDREDS of black US soldiers convicted of rape/murder in Korea in the last 70 years...funny...I dont remember any Korean army subjugating Compton...Also Wakanda is a fictional place in a sub-saharan esque region. WHY WOULD THEY HAVE SWEATERS? What African tribe before whites harvested wool to make sweaters? None? Ok. Why would Africans wear sweaters? Its freaking hot in Africa. So maybe blacks should stop culturally appropriating. https://www.google.com/search?q=lebron+james+jersey&hl=en&authuser=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwii_aaWiLXfAhULblAKHZ0jCrQQ_AUIDygC&biw=1745&bih=915#imgrc=S8UXMSzvMTRALM: Heres a picture of a white guy wearing Lebron James gear. You think thats offensive too? Here is a white woman wearing a Lion King shirt. Lion King also is a make believe story by white people that takes place in Africa...thats racist too right? https://www.target.com/p/women-s-disney-the-lion-king-graphic-sweatshirt-juniors-black-s/-/A-53860331?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Women%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=s&device=c&location=9014861&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&ds_rl=1241788&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=s&device=c&location=9014861&gclid=CjwKCAiA3vfgBRB9EiwAkfpd3DD_xo20vz0BxYkuZgGaeku5xzsx5oR50Hy2VmS-mj57ei4RZNuDQBoCbxEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds you are a joke.
Load More Replies...This is ridiculous. I am a white female and I love the movie and comic Black Panther. I have more than one Black Panther shirt, and he is one of my favorite Marvel superheroes. I'm sorry, does this mean I can only wear shirts featuring Black Widow? No. It is so freaking stupid that people get offended over every little thing. America is screwed if this is what it's gonna be like.
It's not only America. It's the whole wide world! I live in Spain and it's exactly the same thing: one group or another always feeling outraged by small details or comments and then totally oblivious of really important issues like REAL racism, REAL discrimination, REAL inequality...
Load More Replies...Oh god, this is incredibly stupid. Only black people are supposed to wear that, huh? Just a tiny bit racist.
If Mulan were made today for the first time, they'd accuse Disney of cultural appropriation.
Load More Replies...Forver21 apologized and removed the ad? Bullying works! If you are loud enough, you are getting your way! Whether you're right or not is not important! I thought I've read an article about that somewhere!
Just once I wanna see a company with a loaded owner who's about to retire anyway issue a tweet that either gives the dictionary definition of hypocrisy (which SJW's are chock full of), or to have it simply say "Go f**k yourself" and be done with it. I can't imagine how satisfying that would feel.
Load More Replies...I hate it when people see racism where there isn't any. Surely, they are the ones being racist?
The fact that a former brand specialist (Mark-Paul) feels "highly offended" is HILARIOUS.
Guess I need to toss all my Bugs Bunny and Winnie the Pooh t-shirts. Neither a bunny nor a bear I be. Sigh...
and I will have to stop wearing my Snoopy shirts (hmm and my dogs can't wear them because they are Cairn Terriers not beagles!)
Load More Replies...Wooow...the racist part is the fact people are upset he's white. Who the f**k cares? Equality is not caring about race, if you're upset about this you're no better than a member of the KKK.
Heres a thought.... no one gives a s**t there are bigger issues in the world than what colour you have to be to like a certain movie.😂
The tweets are more racists.. Why a white boy can like a black superhero??
How ridiculous. He looked amazing with that sweater, the colours look really good with his skin tone.
Yep, I was about to write this. Also, we may read this as an evidence that popculture connects people: look, "the whitest of white people" boy is wearing something connected to (fictive) "black" culture. Cool. But no, we better start a big drama and start looking for inappropiation.
Load More Replies...The same people who scream about wanting equality get offended when they actually get it. Superheroes are for everyone. Imagine what would happen if we called out black people for wearing an Iron Man or Batman shirt? But that would never happen because it's just downright stupid and wrong to even entertain it.
White people aren't allowed to express they enjoy a movie with 90% black cast? People will never be happy.
If we truly live in a country heck a WORLD where everyone is equal then that means a white man can whatever the heck he wants as long as he respects the culture that goes along with it. I am from India and I have met people who say things along the lines of, "Oh yeah I've been to an Indian wedding, I wore the little sash thing and the crop top. It's so cute!" or maybe this, "I belly danced in the little costume we had to wear at the Indian wedding I was invited to" I am completely fine with people from other cultures and parts of the world wearing saris but you better not call my cultures traditional clothing a crop top and sash. Is this white man not worthy of wearing that sweater? Is he not good enough because his skin tone isn't dark enough? Isn't that not racism? Saying someone can't do something or wear something because of their skin tone?
Goddamit, is an imaginary country! In this context, ladies, don't wear white leggins, Smurfs can be easily offended!
Hahahahahahahaha!! So also, everyone who ever went on a holiday anywhere, where main population skin colour is NOT white and bought a souvenir T-shirt or summat, BURN IT WITH FIRE! You are NOT allowed to wear it if you're white. Wtf people?
WTF man.....how is it racist to wear a Wakanda sweater!? So they loved black panther, and that makes them racist?? Too many bloody snowflakes out there getting triggered by everything. GET A LIFE!!!
I am more upset with Forever21 with caving in to these bandwagon idiots that can't tell a fictional land from reality. these so called "Woke" individuals are the epitome of racism in their comments about the advert being racist. Just freakin' wow...forever 21, grow a backbone and speak up for yourself.
My 4 year old, pale skinned, bloned haired, blue eyed son is obessed with Black Panther, thats all he wants for Christmas. He has the shoes and I have had only one issue, a white parent told me that maybe it was wrong for my son to have those shoes. I told her it was wrong for her to even have that thought. My son loves Black Panther and he why not? I will not teach my son that him having a hero that does not look like him his wrong.
Your son is clearly transracial. He has a black persons brain in a white body. You need to get him on hormone treatment IMMEDIATELY and start the long painful process of grafting black skin onto his. Its tough...some people will ridicule him and you and deny your sons transraciality and existence, but you can do it. Be strong for him.
Load More Replies...Two of the best comebacks I read about this topic... "sorry to be offensive to your imaginary nation" "Sorry to enjoy this piece of your culture created by two white jews I love"
If they think it's racist, I think it's more racist to get offended by such photo and think that only black people can wear it. Oh gosh, what's wrong with people? It makes me think that they just enjoy playing as the victim. On the other hand, I don't understand why Forever 21 just removed it without conveying their intentions properly on why they displayed the photo in the first place. Yeah people don't like it so let's remove it and that's it. It makes me say "whut?" Is it just pure business? It could have been their chance to put some "sense" on that photo and try stuffing it into those "mah-heart-mah-sole delicate" creatures' minds.
They removed it because they aren't in the business of taking sides either way with social f**k-all. They just want this to go away so they can continue to sell clothes and satisfy their shareholders, like any normal company does. I guarantee the owners don't give a f**k.
Load More Replies...God people need to just shut up and stop getting offended by literally everything. People really need to gage what is actually offensive like politicians trying to pass discriminatory law against he LGBT and other groups and stupid c**p like a white wearing a fake African nation Christmas sweater.
The last tweet is the best and most hard-hitting. SJWs are essentially asking for segregation, and it's way more f****d up than an image like that ever will be.
It was movie with black people in it. That doesn't mean everyone else is wrong for rocking the gear. We don't own the rights to everything Wakanda. Stop it.
Don't these idiots realise Wakanda isn't a real place? I hate how people attempt to make something racist when it so clearly isn't. If people want to see a significant reduction of racism, stop doing s**t like this. Trying to make something be about race for absolutely no reason. I'm half black and can't get over how utterly absurd stuff like this is. Forever 21 had to issue an apology and took the item off their website?? That's disgraceful!
Question: why is it that black people tend to complain what other races do? I don't hear Mexicans, Asians, Egyptians or 'Whites' ever caring what the black race does, so why do they bother with anybody else? They seem to be more racist than their own racism. The store shouldn't have ever apologized as they don't deserve our degradation. Men are now allowed to wear our panties and i don't see women going after them or complaining over it. But, i AM very disgusted on the fact that movies seems to be obligated to add at least one black dude to keep 'blacks' happy, but i still won't go after them with a machete over it. I should buy that shirt and wear it to hit them where it hurts: a white scrawny woman wearing a shirt allegedly designed for the 'hood'. Then again, we're all allowed to be racists, right? There's no crime.
My sweet Jesus... could we just let ppl wear what the hell they wanna wear? Black ppl can´t do this. White ppl can´t wear that. Girls toys. Boys toys. Stop it! As we say : "El burro hablando de orejas"!
Im noticing that the media keeps covering these stories and giving these idiots the stage. They are just as bad... making a big deal out of all these petty issues giving these racist crybabies a voice and an audience. All they do is further divide us.
And we contribute by clicking on the article because we like being outraged too. I'm guilty as s**t of clicking on stuff I already know will p**s me off.
Load More Replies...So the next time I see a black person wearing a superman shirt or a black santa I can get pissed?
Haha, try it and see what happens. Please film and post it.
Load More Replies...Oh, no! It's terrible! It's probably the most important problem of this day! How dare they! I hate how today's people are outraged about just everything. Ok, maybe I do not understand, because I am "typical" white female, not even from any minority in my country. But... Wakanda is not even real? Why it is that when person of colour wants to dress as i.e. Elsa from "Frozen", but if white man is posing in Wakanda's sweater, people are angry? Al this fuss is not even a bit about equality, it's about how people like to quarrel. By the way, I have two favourite T-shirts: one with irish motive and one with Chinese dragon. I do not look like a "stereotypical" Irishwoman and I am not even a bit Asian. Now I need to throw these away, I suppose?
You mean I can't be in a suit and tie? I need to track down those Han dynasty attire
Many black people enjoy being perpetually aggrieved. In many cases it's easier than getting their s**t together.
Ivy league students protest and claim oppression. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Load More Replies...There are very real issues of race, color, economic status, gender and others in our society. These issues need addressing no matter who gets offended. But this isn't one of them.
CAN EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!!! People would get offended by the statement "African Americans are African American"
I am black and I don't have a problem with people of any race wearing this sweater. First of all, Wakanda is not a real country and secondly, it was created by a white man. All of this racial sensitivity seems to be who don't actually know what it's like to be the races that they are defending.
f4gq0t r******d n1gq3r cun7s get offended by anything. USA is failed as a country and it was doomed from beginning. USA will last up to 50 years if lucky. This shithole country isnt going to survive.
So are these people suggesting there's a segregated black section where there are clothes only black people can wear and are they okay with this notion? What clothes are black people not allowed to wear that is too white in their mind?
Wait a moment, so cause I'm whiute I can't wear Wakanda stuff? But I liked Black Panther and Wakanda itself was absolutely one of the biggest gems in Marvel's movie franchise...
Are we not going to talk about how incredibly ugly that sweater is? Why would ANYONE wear that.
Twitter is just a cesspool. Seriously. 9/10 times when one of these "internet was outraged" stories pop up, it's because of some b******t someone posted on Twitter. Can we just collectively stop giving so much attention every spat these twitter drama llamas have?
OMW!!! I am so sick and tired of this kind of c**p! Get a life people - stop causing chaos out of nothing!! Stop being so bloody racist and ignorant!!!
It's called marketing. I bet they have photos of black people wearing this kind of stuff, too, trying to take advantage of the movie to sell products. Think product sales increase when someone sees someone similar wearing the product? Why, yes, yes it does.
This argument is about arguing for the sake of arguing,. There are real problems out there in the world that need solving and a couple of twits, who have nothing to do, have stirred up a controversy where there was none.
If anyone is really offended by this, all I can say is... better get used to it. There's a lot of white Bank Panther fans out there. I'll go so far as to say that most BP fans are white.
Hmm, what should I get offended by today? (throws dart at dartboard) Now anime fans are racist for liking Asian characters, even though they're not Asian!
So... I can't dress my little nephew as a cowboy cause he's not from texas? As long as you're doing it to ridicule someone , you can dress however u like.
Insert sarcasm: Oh and he can't dress up as an "Indian" to play cowboy and Indian either because I'm native and I said no. End sarcasm.
Load More Replies...In my opinion it is not solely about the model being white and wearing the Wakanda sweater. The issue that the ethnic community has is that when it is time to represent African Americans we are always overshadowed by a white person. Regardless if the film was made and created by a white man(typically the only ones who have the financial means to do so) it is representing African culture and therefor should have an ethnic person modeling the clothing to follow the theme. It does not mean that any other race cannot wear the item at all just simply when you are advertising the item, allow it to be advertised by someone from that culture. We all have the freedoms to buy and wear what we want, however time and time again our representation is white washed or using models that are "passing"/extremely light skinned. Everyone would like to see all ethnicities represented equally, in a world where most marketing is targeted to white audiences using the standard blonde hair blue eyes look.
Give the colored people a chance, rather than white shits doing everything a black could be doing (who knows maybe they just might be better than you racist's.)
Because saying someone can’t model a shirt because they’re a different skin color is not racist?
Load More Replies...This is just full of s**t, why would they have a white man model a "Wakanda forever" sweater?!Racist people are wrong about people of color, think of this racist people seeing this right now, would YOU want to be kicked and laughed about just because your a different color/race??? Think about that for a bit ok. Forever21 get nrew models perferibly black people, because in life you nreed to exept them too.
I am not racist, and plus people can do whatever they want to do like wearing there clothes that THEY pick. Its rediculous
It amazes me that people are actually becoming offended over something as trivial as this. I appreciate that Black Panther includes African culture and I love the idea that it can become empowering to African Americans. But white people(or, really, people who aren't black in general) can like him as a superhero too! They can't control their skin color any more than everyone else can. Are you going to start being offended if you see a non-white model wearing a Spiderman, Captain America, Iron Man, or Dr. Strange shirt? People need to worry about things in life that are actually offensive.
If I wore a T-shirt with Nelson Mandela on it because I admire him and wish to honor him by making other people think about what a great man he is, that would be a problem if we are using the same thought process used in the Forever 21 criticism. So now we cannot honor other cultures by advertising how cool we think they are? I thought we were supposed to embrace difference and be accepting of other cultures and ideas. Let's not let a few short sighted people ruin cultural unity. Let's not bring back segregation even if fictional characters.
Just the fact that there really are people out there specializing on " hating" everything, keep it to yourself, we don't give a fat flop what you don't like!
This mean that all black's who living not at the African continent - ARE RACISTS!!!
It is clear all thing, so all black's who living in not African territory - ARE RACISTS! BE KNOW IT!
WAKANDA DOES NOT EXIST! For F**k's sake! How f*****g r******d are these people?! (And dont u f*****g tell me not to use the "R" word, because it may offend someone somewhere! Use you f*****g brain OR a dictionary & see what "r******d" means). F**k Social Justice Warriors!
Does that mean only Munchkins can wear an OZ t-shirt ? It's a made-up place people, like Neverland and Narnia
Never have bothered watching the movie simply because of the 'political activity' that followed it. I grew up in the midst of that c**p. Unnecessary argument
Rotten Tomatoes had it at well over a 90% rating right before it came out and a whole bunch of the commenters said things like "I bet this movie is going to be amazing". M***********s hadn't even seen it yet rated it 5 stars. I wanted to slap the s**t out of each and every one of those idiots.
Load More Replies...The bigger problem is the model looks like he doesn't want to be wearing the sweater. Wouldn't any kind of clothes sell better if it looked like the models looked they at least liked it themselves?
You’ll notice most models either have a blank expression or look somewhat depressed. Can’t blame them if you have to cope with the fashion industry.
Load More Replies...I have a "Big Bang Theory" t-shirt, but I'm not Indian nor Jewish. Should I cut Raj and Howard out of it?
Oh, and I'm not male either. Think I'll cut everyone out except Penny, just to be sure.
Load More Replies...It doesn't matter who is wearing the sweater... if it had been a black man A WHOLE DIFFERENT GROUP (or maybe the same group) if people would be offended and calling it racist.
The only thing offensive here are his pants. They actually paid somebody to pick those out.
All I saw was this weird looking guy wearing a butt ugly sweater. Thanks to Panda I now realize I should be offended. I'm still not quite sure what about but that doesn't seem to be relevant.
I don't have a problem with a white person wearing the shirt but I think it's weird they described it as the coolest monkey in the jungle. Are they referring to the Jabari tribe? Cause they worship the gorilla god.
It's very interesting that most of the comments in this thread are not from black people. The real issue is not about the piece of clothing, it's the marketing of a product based upon a film that showcases and lifts up black empowerment in world that has consistently and systematically marginalized black communities and black identity. Forever 21 chose to use a white model to sell this particular product. This choice further pushes the concept that black identity needs to have permission from a white person to exist and be successful. It was a completely ignorant and insensitive decision for Forever 21 to even consider using a white model in this situation. Validation: I am marketer.
It is a movie about a character made by white people working for a company founded by a white man which has sold to another white male CEO who is running a company founded by a white man. The man is wearing a sweater which first was mass produced in white countries. It is to celebrate Christmas a holiday started in Ancient Rome. It is a product made in South east Asia, by South East Asians for a South East Asian company to be sold at a store where most of the consumers are white. So in what way was this black culture? Forever 21 is a Korean company...tell me when Koreans have marginalized blacks. There have been HUNDREDS of black US soldiers convicted of rape/murder in Korea in the last 70 years...funny...I dont remember any Korean army subjugating Compton...Also Wakanda is a fictional place in a sub-saharan esque region. WHY WOULD THEY HAVE SWEATERS? What African tribe before whites harvested wool to make sweaters? None? Ok. Why would Africans wear sweaters? Its freaking hot in Africa. So maybe blacks should stop culturally appropriating. https://www.google.com/search?q=lebron+james+jersey&hl=en&authuser=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwii_aaWiLXfAhULblAKHZ0jCrQQ_AUIDygC&biw=1745&bih=915#imgrc=S8UXMSzvMTRALM: Heres a picture of a white guy wearing Lebron James gear. You think thats offensive too? Here is a white woman wearing a Lion King shirt. Lion King also is a make believe story by white people that takes place in Africa...thats racist too right? https://www.target.com/p/women-s-disney-the-lion-king-graphic-sweatshirt-juniors-black-s/-/A-53860331?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Women%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=s&device=c&location=9014861&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&ds_rl=1241788&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=s&device=c&location=9014861&gclid=CjwKCAiA3vfgBRB9EiwAkfpd3DD_xo20vz0BxYkuZgGaeku5xzsx5oR50Hy2VmS-mj57ei4RZNuDQBoCbxEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds you are a joke.
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