In a recent misstep, Forever 21 has come under heavy scrutiny for releasing a t-shirt that many are calling victim-blaming. This graphic tee, intended for men, boldly states, “Don’t Say Maybe If You Want To Say No,” prompting widespread outrage and disbelief. Can you imagine your teenager coming across such a troubling message in a store frequented by kids and tweens? It’s hard to fathom how this design made it through the approval process without someone raising a red flag.
A representative for Forever 21 responded to the backlash, stating, “We are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards and take customer feedback seriously.” They quickly removed the shirt from their website following public outcry. However, this incident is not an isolated one. Retailers have faced criticism before; for instance, last year, Target found itself in hot water for selling a shirt for women labeled “TROPHY,” which many argued perpetuated a sexist narrative. A concerned customer campaigned to have it discontinued, citing its implication that women are mere objects for men’s enjoyment. Despite the backlash, Target insisted that most of their customers were not complaining, and the shirt remains available online.
The conversation surrounding rape culture is increasingly relevant, especially in light of recent events. A poignant moment at the 88th Academy Awards saw Lady Gaga perform “Til It Happens to You,” a song addressing sexual assault on college campuses. This performance, alongside survivors of assault, highlighted the pressing need for change in societal attitudes toward these issues. Eve Peyser of The Cut remarked on Forever 21’s unfortunate timing, suggesting that the brand was attempting to exploit the justified outrage over rape culture for profit.
It’s disheartening that a design like this could reach consumers, especially in a store that clearly knows its audience. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about their kids encountering such problematic messages in popular retail spaces. Forever 21’s awareness of its target demographic raises serious questions about how this shirt made it into their inventory.
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In summary, Forever 21’s latest t-shirt design has sparked outrage due to its victim-blaming message. As discussions surrounding rape culture continue to grow, retailers must be more conscious of the messages they promote, especially to younger audiences.
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