I am tired. I worked hard today and I wanted to go to
bed early and get a good night's sleep, but now Che Guevara won’t let me. The
last thing I want to do right now is write a blog post, but sometimes “the muse” isn’t a beautiful young woman or
man who inspires your creativity, it is a damned T-shirt sold at an overpriced
and over-rated clothing chain, which targets empty-headed 20 somethings.
Here’s what the “all-knowing one”, Wikipedia has to say
about it-
‘Urban
Outfitters has been described as selling hip, kitschy, and ironic merchandise,
for example, T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Jive Turkey" or
"Atari". They are known for catering to "hipster" culture
and fashion, which incorporates an influence from past decades. According to their website, Urban Outfitters' "established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level is the reason for our success."
The site says that "the reason for this success is that our brands... are both compelling and distinct. Each brand chooses a particular customer segment, and once chosen, sets out to create sustainable points of distinction with that segment" and that "the emphasis is on creativity. Our goal is to offer a product assortment and an environment so compelling and distinctive that the customer feels an empathetic connection to the brand and is persuaded to buy." ‘
And it goes on to have
an entire section titled: “Urban
Outfitters' products have been the subject of multiple controversies,
particularly concerning religious and ethnic issues.” – See the page
for more examples of their “clever and hip” clothing items. Excuse me if I don’t
find the humor or creativity in hate.
Well, “kitschy and
ironic” is no excuse for outright offensive and obnoxious. And if their goal is
to offer something “compelling and distinctive”, they have failed epically this
time with their new Che Guevara T-shirt. 
This isn’t their first
controversy, and I loathe giving them attention, as it seems that is part of
their marketing “edgy-ness” and makes them feel like they are making some
profound political statements or SHOVING free speech down people’s throats.
Whatever. It is manipulative and ugly. It isn’t cute and the REAL irony is that
people with too much expendable income are spending WAAAAAAAAY too much money on
an icon of the Communist “revolution”.
I am not going to go
on a political rant about Communism or how it has destroyed the lives of
millions and millions of people. I think that has borne out and most of us who
live in a free society understand that it is a system which denies people
rights and destroys every conceivable remnant of freedom. I have very personal
insights into Che Guevara, as my father is a Cuban émigré and that chapter of
Cuba’s sad history is part and parcel of my life history. (For another time,
when I am not about to drop from exhaustion).
Needless to say, I was heartened to see that a piece was
run in the Huffington Post (so much for the liberal media) which was an actual
letter, which was written by Thor
Halvorssen- Founder, Human Rights Foundation. In his letter, Mr. Halvorssen states:
“We urge you to consider that the image of Guevara represents tyranny and
repression for the millions of people who have suffered under communism.
Fifty-three years after Guevara's rise to power, Cuba is still ruled by the
Communist party, while all alternative political parties and dissenting civil society
groups are outlawed. Any expression of dissent is considered a subversive
act, a free press does not exist, and the government regularly imprisons those
who speak out. Mr. Marlow, the Cuban government of today, a legacy of Guevara,
is the most repressive regime in the Western hemisphere.”
He goes on to say- “For the sake of the 1.47 billion people still
living under the yoke of communist rule, for the sake of the thousands who
perished in the Cuban revolution, and for the sake of the 11 million Cubans who
still endure a totalitarian system, we hope Urban Outfitters will reconsider
its marketing strategy and set a moral example for the apparel industry.”
BOOYAH!
Bravo, and THANK YOU, for saying it so eloquently and
well. NOW I can go to sleep!
