Adidas under fire for unveiling new trainer with orange 'shackles' like those worn by black

06-19-2012 • By Daily Mail Reporter

Adidas has come under fire for creating a pair of trainers with ‘shackles’.

Critics have compared the ‘JS Roundhouse Mids’, to be released in August, to the chains worn by black slaves in the 19th century.

The firm unveiled the trainers on its Facebook page. They feature plastic orange ‘shackles’ attached to the ankles by chains in the same colour.

The shoes have sparked an angry debate online. More than 2,000 Facebook users have commented, with many calling the design ‘offensive’ and ‘ignorant’, saying the firm has ‘sunk to new lows’ with its ‘slavewear’ product.

One, ‘Kay Tee’, said: ‘It’s offensive and inappropriate in many ways… How would a Jewish person feel if they decided to have a shoe with a swastika on it and tried to claim it was OK in the name of fashion?’

Dr Boyce Watkins, writing for Your Black World, said: 'Shackles. The stuff that our ancestors wore for 400 years while experiencing the most horrific atrocities imaginable.

1 Comments in Response to Adidas under fire for unveiling new trainer with orange 'shackles' like those worn by black

Comment by chris gill

Entered on: 6/19/2012 3:53:47 PM

then don't buy it, if your so "offended". It is called a free market. I don't doubt that very little thought went into the product. But I also doubt they meant to "offend" any buyers in their market.

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