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Go back to 'My feelings about...' (Foreword: I decided to put the entire section on a separate page just because it got so long. Again, it's just my opinion, so there are many perspectives to this issue. So before you spam me with hate mail, check out the links below or to your left to hear different points of views expressed by the Asian and Pacific Islander community and by youth. Am I racist? Hell no, but at least I know how to express myself in a positive manner. Abercrombie decided to do it by producing those t-shirts, so judge for yourself.) How do I feel about... not being white: What's the big deal about being white? I think some people might think that's it's a racist thing that I'm saying. However, I'm very confused (and slightly frustrated) with U.S. culture and how it glorifies certain qualities about being white. For example, the whole thing about blonds...don't you think it's kind of weird for everyone to be blond when you already know that only white people are blond? So why would you go to such length to bleach your hair and then dye it a godforsaken color that you genetically do not grow on your own? There are other things such as fashion, which really highlights how, in the United States, you know that different clothes are specifically designed for certain people. (Perhaps this is the part where you will start yelling at me.) It's pretty obvious that Fubu, Ecko, and SeanJohn are marketed towards the black community. When you see a white kid walking down the street in a thug outfit, you wouldn't hesitate to call him a wanna-be. Why would you get that impression that those clothes are not for white people? Look at the ads, who do you think they are marketing it towards? So let's apply the same principle to ubiquitous brands like Abercrombie and Fitch and American Eagle. Do you see your community reflected in the ads? Sometimes these companies really piss me off, because a lot of their ads and campaigns very much promote a sense of white elitism, which really should be frowned upon in this country. Look at whole Ralph Lauren is characterized through it decades of ads. It's all about the posh, white, suburban, rich kids. Sure, it does show a bit of nobility and a touch of class, but isn't that so dated in this day and age? So back to A&F, I think that their company is either run completely by idiots or by marketing geniuses. The idiots would be the people who are still so ignorant to think that the mass market of consumer is still largely dominated by white people. The geniuses would be the people that know the portrayal and focus on "white" looks and appeal factor is what drives non-white consumers to buy their clothing. Isn't it purely ingenious to try and make those people think that they can become closer to achieving the same class and respect that white people in this society? Hey, it's worked with Calvin Klein, so why not just re-use the strategy? Companies, such as Gap and Banana Republic (oddly both are of the same parent company essentially) have learn that multiculturalism is key to dominating the market. What's why you can buy cheaper clothes at their stores as composed to Abercrombie and Fitch? (Although their sweat shop factories in Vietnam and China helps a bit too...) So do I seriously expect companies, such as A&F, to change their ads and clean up their act? Hell no, I'm not that stupid or naive. For the most part, I would pretty pissed off if they do, because you know those advertising execs would probably force some Asian girl to wear their clothes and then be sitting on the laps of some white guy or be in some demeaning or raunchy position. For an added peeve, do you remember their brief fiasco of racist Asian t-shirts? That is a perfect example of how they sometimes show that they really don't know anything about non-white communities. Have they even asked for feedback from Asians or Pacific Islanders before they put it out on the market? Certainly someone would have to approve the shirts before they could go onto the racks. Quite possible, there was no Asian or Pacific Islander providing feedback otherwise they're doing a pretty crappy job at it. So does that help to clear up my perspective on this whole issue? Well how do I feel about not being non-white? I'm not bothered in the least if I am not blond nor the target of a pervasive, elitist clothing line. My advice for other folks is to be proud of who you are, that means that you don't have to buy something or change yourself to feel like you're part of something. If it's that cool or important, they would be clamoring to have you join them, not the other way around. Besides, A&F clothes don't fly off the rack by themselves; they need you and me to go do their business. For more information about the Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt fiasco, check out the following links: Snopes.com Review of the A&F T-shirt Fiasco (New) Controversial Abercrombie shirts auctioned online (CNN) Racist Abercrombie T-shirts Issue JACL Protests Abercrombie & Fitch Racist T-Shirts Asians go berserk in protest against Abercrombie & Fitch Racist fashion? I don't think so | ||
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