April 20, 2002
To whom it may concern:
I recently visited a website that showed pictures of a series
of racially degrading t-shirts from your chain. Admittedly,
my first response to some of the designs was amusement. But,
the more I saw, the more the true meaning of the shirts began to sink
in. As you are probably aware, Abercrombie & Fitch is a
highly influential force in American society. It is extremely
disturbing to think that a company with so much power would think to
distribute such offensive shirts It is even more alarming that someone
in your company would have the mind set to come up with these designs. The
t-shirts are condescending and reinforce negative stereotypes. The
designs put the wearer of the shirt above an entire race of people. Your
t-shirts promote hostility towards others. As a consumer, I
am very offended. This recent finding puts me in a position to boycott
your store and encourage others to do so if this type of insensitivity
continues.
Sincerely,
A Worried Consumer
"Leah K.E. Jerome" <ljerome@indiana.edu>
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Dear Friends:
It is appalling
that in this day and age of global communication, international cultural
exchange and contact that stereotyping, racial profiling, culturally
insensitive and ignorant insults and assaults continue to take place in
America. This too in the light of our global intertwined and share
destiny and future as a human family with much colorful diversity. All
American deserve to treated with respect and dignity. We must honor each
faith and culture as a part of collective heritage and our shared
humanity.
We must all reject such cultural intrusions as reflected in the Abercrombie
and Fitch T shirt designs, in news paper cartoons, talk shows and other forums
as unacceptable tothe American spirit and promise, to tolerate such blatant ignorance is to encourage others and to assure its
continuation in other forms and place at other times.
I am grateful to the Asian Cultural Center in Bloomington and the
AAAllinace to raise an alarm regarding this matter . The Sikh community in America has been facing such cultural assaults and harassment,
ignorant racial stereotyping since Sept 11,2001 as regularly reported
in sikhe.com(a Glabal Sikh daily newspaper online )and other ethnic print
media that serves the Asian community in North America.
America is a blessed place and majority of Americans are fair and most generous
in spirit and understanding of others. Iam optimistic that through vigilance, expanded efforts and outreach on our part we can
educate each other and make a difference in time. And we must commit to
our individual and collective responsibility in this effort.
With special thanks and best wishes,
KP Singh
Indianapolis, IN , USA
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