Anything for the Money

**DISCLAIMER: This story does not reflect the opinions or views of the MHS Publications Staff or adviser. Sensitive or triggering subjects may be discussed in this work. This story was made for awareness, not glorification, and does not condone the language therein. Please note again that this story directly reflects on Urban Outfitters products and not any views from Martinsville High School’s students or staff.

Accidents happen, sure, but when several controversial situations occur back to back, people start to wonder, “Was it really an accident?” One of the most well-known and modern-trend stores on the market has raised the eyebrows of their shoppers and taken their products to an extreme that some shoppers cannot overlook. Not only did this company lose a lot of respect over the past few years, they also lost a lot of business.

Urban Outfitters is an over-charged, under-qualified mess. Yes, they do have some cute clothes, but there is nothing cute about a baby-tee mocking eating disorders, a top in the boys’ section making sexual abuse jokes, or a sweatshirt referring to the mass murder of innocent students at a university. Selling shampoo for “suicidal hair” should not be tolerable, nor should using old Holocaust attire to inspire “current trends.”

Selling so called “questionable” clothing articles is not the only shade they have casted in the retail business. Racist board-games, unapproved explicit photos of minors, and extremely discriminating color choices for clothing items are also sold by Urban Outfitters. Somehow, they still have teens and young-adults busting down their doors for their cheap-made, cold-hearted items.

It is very strange that some of these items were only sold once or twice, but luckily their shoppers made sure to publicize the company’s wrong-doings. In specific, six items that were posted left a harsh sense of grueling, upsetting confusion. These items were something no person should ever have to come in contact with, regardless what race, sexual orientation, age, or gender.

1. The “Rape Joke” Shirt

One single t-shirt was released with a disturbing quote on it, front and center, accompanied by two curved hands forming a heart. “It’s not rape. It’s a snuggle with a struggle.”

2.  The “Ghetto-opoly”

Producing clothes is not enough for this heartless company. They produced their “ghetto” version of the board game Monopoly in a various number of stores. The game mocked drug use, violence, and other illegal activities.

3. The “Kent State” Stunt

Only one of these so called “vintage find” sweatshirts was found, but it raised much havoc once posted on the internet. Urban Outfitters created a sweatshirt that appeared to have blood splattered all over it, and the text on it read “Kent State University,” hinting very broadly at the massacre that occurred at this university in 1970.

4. The Eating-disorder Encouragement

This shirt, found in tons of stores, had only two simple words on it, but together the two words had a very powerful, disturbing message. “Eat less.” Putting this on a t-shirt not only could kill a lot of girls’ self esteem, but also appeared to glamourize .

5. The Racist Color Choice

You can’t escape the discriminatory items they sell even if you stick to strictly online shopping. A t-shirt on the company’s website was sold in two different colors: white/charcoal and Obama/black. There are many other words they could have used in place of our African-American president’s name, but that wouldn’t be a classic Urban Outfitters move.

6. The “Jewish-Star” Shirt

Spending near $100 on a t-shirt does not assure fine quality, and that’s definitely proven by this Holocaust-evoking shirt they decided to sell. This yellow tee depicted a six-pointed blue star badge that resembles the Star of David patch Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust.
For a company that does not deserve the amount of money they bring in, you personally can take a little step to lower their revenue. Look for alternative places to shop where the clothes are cheaper and you aren’t supporting costs to make ridiculous, discriminatory products. Try to advocate why this is a not a good company to put your money toward, and spend your time shopping in a more positive atmosphere.