Despite what MSU students may have learned in recent weeks about creating and wearing offensive T-shirts, it seems officials at Abercrombie & Fitch Inc. clothing stores are in need of the same lesson.
The New Albany, Ohio-based company distributed four T-shirt designs related to Asian culture for $24.50. The shirts featured slogans such as “Wok-N-Bowl - Let the Good Times Roll - Chinese Food & Bowling” and “Wong Brothers Laundry Service - Two Wongs Can Make It White.”
Asian Americans across the country say the T-shirts, which have been pulled from 311 stores in 50 states, reinforce racial and ethnic stereotypes. Members of the Asian Pacific American Student Organization say they won’t shop at Abercrombie & Fitch and plan to hold a protest outside of the store’s branch today at Meridian Mall in Okemos.
Officials from Abercrombie & Fitch’s have apologized and said the company did not intend to offend anyone.
It’s disappointing that shirts depicting blatant stereotypes were allowed to make it onto clothing store racks. Abercrombie & Fitch is a major corporation, and the T-shirt designs likely had to receive the approval of several executives.
How sad it is that none of those people recognized the offensiveness of what probably was considered a clever marketing ploy. Perhaps there aren’t enough checks and balances within the corporation.
This is the second time this year Asian Americans have deemed it necessary to speak out against blatant stereotypes.
In February, fliers promoting the movie “Kung Pow: Enter the Fist” were distributed on campus. The fliers featured a Chinese restaurant menu with items such as “sweet and sour poodle” and “dog meat.”
It seems some companies have used little tact or consideration when creating merchandising or advertising schemes. But the exploitation of Asian and Asian-American cultures needs to stop.
Most companies never would consider creating merchandise that depicts blatant stereotypes of blacks for fear of backlash from the black community. But what applies to one culture should apply to all - stereotypes never are OK to use, especially when you’re trying to make a buck.
Kudos to APASO and other Asian-American groups that are making their voices heard over this issue. The activism of such groups prompted Abercrombie to pull the T-shirts from its stores last week and shows people the use of stereotypes is not a laughing matter.
From now on, Abercrombie and other companies should work to increase cultural sensitivity within their workforces and make sure their products don’t exploit people. Otherwise, they risk losing much of their clientele - and money - in the future.
