Racist The Walking Dead T-Shirt pulled after complaints
- Thread starter antijoke
- Start date
It was never turned into a racist rhyme. Some liars might have said it was racist in order to gain power, but that's not the same thing at all. Some racists might have believed it was racist because their own racism makes them see racism everywhere, but that's not the same thing either.
Out of curiousity, I looked at a few simple sources for the etymology of the "eeny meeny" rhyme. It's unknown, but it's not the MAGIC WORD OF DOOM version. That came later. So the rhyme doesn't actually have racist origins, which adds a further wrinkle.
If something wasn't racist, then it was, then it wasn't...is it still racist?
If something wasn't racist, then it was, then it wasn't...is it still racist?
I think some companies are just too risk averse when it comes to any form of negative PR on these sorts of issues. I'd wager that they'd have actually been safe to carry on with these as the vast majority of people could see it is ridiculous and there isn't going to be any sort of sustained campaign over it due to the obvious flaw in the argument based on a false premise.
I'd also wager they've cost themselves, both in the wasted stock and future profits on these t-shirts by taking this decision than they'd ever had lost through any negative publicity. In fact I'd wager this story was likely a net positive in itself - so few people were likely 'outraged' by this that any extra sakes from the publicity would have probably outweighed any tiny portion of people who decide to boycott them over this non-issue.
I think in the future, if some companies start making PR data driven, then we might see some bolder responses to this sort of thing. Currently PR, as a field, is full of 'experts' giving advice based on mostly subjective opinions and taking credit for all sorts of 'results' that are not necessarily directly attributable to any added value on their part.
I'd also wager they've cost themselves, both in the wasted stock and future profits on these t-shirts by taking this decision than they'd ever had lost through any negative publicity. In fact I'd wager this story was likely a net positive in itself - so few people were likely 'outraged' by this that any extra sakes from the publicity would have probably outweighed any tiny portion of people who decide to boycott them over this non-issue.
I think in the future, if some companies start making PR data driven, then we might see some bolder responses to this sort of thing. Currently PR, as a field, is full of 'experts' giving advice based on mostly subjective opinions and taking credit for all sorts of 'results' that are not necessarily directly attributable to any added value on their part.
Caporegime
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The company has its shareholders to answer to, not anti-SJWs, so I can fully understand any decisions they make that they believe are in the best interests of long term profitability.
My personal opinion is that the t-shirt is fine and that there are more examples of black vs white racism today than the other way round.
My personal opinion is that the t-shirt is fine and that there are more examples of black vs white racism today than the other way round.
Man of Honour
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Then you have no idea what it means.
If somebody walked down the street with it on I'd know the reference.
The reference is The Walking Dead. It's such a well known TV program that most people would know the reference even if (like me) they're never seen the program.
Does recognising the programme it's from make it less crap, somehow?
We all knew where it was from by about post #3...
If TWD had a scene where a bloke stuffed a cucumber up his wazoo, would that make it "hip" to wear a T-shirt with a man and a cucumber getting ... erm... friendly?
Or does that fact that it comes from TWD mean you no longer have to question anything, you can wear anything with pride, happy in the knowledge that other TWD fans will "get it"? No matter how tacky?
Can you explain why you thought those "questions" were relevant to my post?
Just in case anyone else mistakenly thinks they actually are questions and that they have any relevance to anything I've written, I'll answer them:
No.
No.
No.
Nah, The season finale will be Neegan catching the tiger by the toe and the cliffhanger will be if he survives or not.
I think it's hilarious that once anything has been abused by racists or fascists, that it is no longer safe for consumption seemingly.
Regardless the facts are clear, it did not ORIGINATE as a racist series of lines and is currently NOT IN USE as such, so y'all moaning nancies can go find a corner to cry in - PS i don't like TWD, I got rather bored during the third season, so i really don't care for the show either.
Regardless the facts are clear, it did not ORIGINATE as a racist series of lines and is currently NOT IN USE as such, so y'all moaning nancies can go find a corner to cry in - PS i don't like TWD, I got rather bored during the third season, so i really don't care for the show either.
I can understand both arguments, on one side it's a quote from a tv show, and fans of the show will instantly recognise it as such.
On the other hand the vast majority of people have no idea who Negan is and will only see part of a racist rhyme accompanied with a bloodstained bat which is a bit of a no no. It's sort of the same as Golliwog toys no longer being acceptable in high street stores.
Primark made the right call IMO, though this issue should really have been spotted before it went on sale, imagine if somebody wearing the shirt got assaulted for being a racist (and wasn't), things could have been much worse.
On the other hand the vast majority of people have no idea who Negan is and will only see part of a racist rhyme accompanied with a bloodstained bat which is a bit of a no no. It's sort of the same as Golliwog toys no longer being acceptable in high street stores.
Primark made the right call IMO, though this issue should really have been spotted before it went on sale, imagine if somebody wearing the shirt got assaulted for being a racist (and wasn't), things could have been much worse.
Soldato
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No, not a fan of free speech then?
You just have to Wikipedia the damn rhyme to see there are about a gazillion variations of it from over 200 years.
Once upon a time somone added the N word to the list aswell.
Its amazing that, that version, is the only one that matters. I clearly remember my Nan saying it too me as a child.
Whatever, its only going to offend those looking to be offended.
On a side note, im not really a walking dead fan but the GF is and shes forced me to watch the last 2 seasons. I think its a rather equal opportunity and gender/rule-bustingting show. Some of the strongest characters are women and coloured actors. Whatever though, thats all irrelevant
Once upon a time somone added the N word to the list aswell.
Its amazing that, that version, is the only one that matters. I clearly remember my Nan saying it too me as a child.
Whatever, its only going to offend those looking to be offended.
On a side note, im not really a walking dead fan but the GF is and shes forced me to watch the last 2 seasons. I think its a rather equal opportunity and gender/rule-bustingting show. Some of the strongest characters are women and coloured actors. Whatever though, thats all irrelevant
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