Adidas cancels release of new sneakers because some were offended

[ChewaBrave]

I think most people buy a model of shoe because they like them. The inspiration for the shoe designer has nothing to do with buyers' reasons for buying, I suspect.
I don't think most people would look at those shoes and immediately think they are racial.
Why not let the consumer decide if they are offensive? Baggy, droopy pants that show most of the wearer's underwear are offensive to a lot of people, but there are a lot of companies marketing them, and a lot of people buying them, and nobody suggested they should be banned or taken off the market.

It is really pretty common for outspoken members of the black community to speak out against the things you listed. And adidas didn't cancel the shoes because the people that wanted to buy them were offended, they cancelled them because people that didn't want them, found them distasteful, ugly, or offensive.

And just like you said the inspiration for something has little to do with the buyers motive - i know nothing of the inspiration of the designed when i look at them and think, what the heck? At the end of the day, you show me chains and shackles on ankles, my first thoughts generally would go to slaves or prison - not a stuffed animal from the 80s. Like I said, it is a private company responding to backlash - capitalism at work.

It should also probably be noted, that Adidas as a company is extremely sensitive about racial issues. I don't think this was intentional in any way obviously, but it is a German company and they are very aware of their image. So it just makes sense that they would respond on the side of caution when dealing with something that could tarnish their company image.

[Chico]

Why they thought anyone would buy these shoes is beyond me.

[tornado]

Oreo Cookies are a racist idea

hey - I was totally kidding...

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-gay-pride-oreo-20120626,0,1004912.story

[Canton BU fan]

OMG!