Fashion Retailer SHEIN has responded to the backlash they have received for a phone case that showed a drawing of a handcuffed black man lying on the ground as a white arm draws a chalk outline around him.
The picture has gone viral and been shared all over social media, causing people to express their outrage at the popular fashion retailer.
Saturday morning, SHEIN finally issued a statement but not an apology for the offensive and highly insensitive phone case, claiming the graphic was designed in 2014 after the controversial death of Michael Brown and is “meant to show support to BLM.”
“In response to the phone case, we want to explain that the art was created in reaction to the 2014 murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson and meant to show support for BLM, the fashion retailer tweeted.
The fashion retailer continued, “You’ve brought to our attention that the art is being interpreted as racist which is contrary to its actual meaning. For those we offended we sincerely apologize. We’ve removed the item out of respect for our community and want to clarify we never got the artist’s permission to use the art which was not meant for commercial use.”
In response to the phone case, we want to explain that the art was created in reaction to the 2014 murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson and meant to show support for BLM.
— SHEIN (@SHEIN_Official) May 22, 2021
You've brought to our attention that the art is being interpreted as racist which is contrary to its actual meaning. For those we offended we sincerely apologize.
— SHEIN (@SHEIN_Official) May 22, 2021
We’ve removed the item out of respect for our community and want to clarify we never got the artist’s permission to use the art which was not meant for commercial use.
— SHEIN (@SHEIN_Official) May 22, 2021
