Both Tian and adrants have mentioned the new
Yellow Series from Adidas, and specifically
this sneaker, which features a cartoon image of an Asian complete with huge front teeth. Essentially, the same kind
of racist image that was ubiquitous during World War II. As it turns out, the shoes were designed by Barry McGee, an
underground artist also known as "Twist" who is half Asian. Some are accusing Adidas of not thinking this
through, but if the company chose McGee to design the shoes, they had to have known he's used similar depictions of Asians in the past. My theory, and
it's only a theory, is that Adidas is trying to target a younger, hipper, demographic that is already familiar with the
underground art world and the images that can seem controversial when not seen in the proper context. The argument could
be made that the image is racist no matter what, but I don't believe the intent was such.McGee's Adidas shoe racist?
Both Tian and adrants have mentioned the new
Yellow Series from Adidas, and specifically
this sneaker, which features a cartoon image of an Asian complete with huge front teeth. Essentially, the same kind
of racist image that was ubiquitous during World War II. As it turns out, the shoes were designed by Barry McGee, an
underground artist also known as "Twist" who is half Asian. Some are accusing Adidas of not thinking this
through, but if the company chose McGee to design the shoes, they had to have known he's used similar depictions of Asians in the past. My theory, and
it's only a theory, is that Adidas is trying to target a younger, hipper, demographic that is already familiar with the
underground art world and the images that can seem controversial when not seen in the proper context. The argument could
be made that the image is racist no matter what, but I don't believe the intent was such.Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. It's cool that Adidas is using underground artists and not interfering with the voice or message of these artists. Afterall, wouldn't it be worse for Adidas to hire an artist and then force them to water down their message?
It's funny that people are complaining while not taking the time to understand who the artist is, what he saying, and why he is saying it.
There are plenty of shoe brands that don't support underground artists and I suppose the complainers can go buy those brands.
Posted at 3:20PM on Mar 16th 2006 by Mike Grzymkowski
3. This isn't really about the artist and their talent, or whether or not the artist is asian or part asian, it's the values and message that the product owners send out; they do need to be held accountable for what they put out there. Everyone should realize that the owners and their PR team control what and how products go out, not the artist and not a specific group of people. So watch out, then the public starts to react, the artist, who in this case happens to be part asian, will probably be left standing alone to face the crowd because that's where the PR team will point the finger.
Posted at 2:42PM on Apr 10th 2006 by E. Luis
4. i think this shoe is an image of stero-types of asians and that the shoes should not be put out to sell... degrading the image of asians is wrong... and the shirts that are being sold with the same logo should be banned... please re-think about seeling the shoes... bringing back an image of asians being looked down upon is not funny and should be banned... Huf should have its shirts taken off the rank as well... As an asian american i thought america would stop this kind of racist profiling in shirts, shoes, whatever... it is obvious that people are still looking at asians in this image and i want people to know that it is not true... hoping to solve this confrontation... peacefully ... reconsider... the logo is ridiculous... and racists...
Posted at 6:03AM on Apr 11th 2006 by d
1. I don't think Adidas is racist.
As a business organization, it is their job to market and profit from their products. If it takes certain image or "look" to draw attention from the underground art crowd, then so be it.
It is good thing they have picked Barry, who is half Asian, otherwise, there probably would be more anger towards Adidas.
Posted at 2:28PM on Mar 16th 2006 by tian