Back to the Izzue

The Izzue Nazi controversy continues.

Stores are selling t-shirts and pants with Nazi symbols, including one of Adolf Hitler standing atop a laurel. One of the stores used a projector to show Nazi propaganda films on a wall. A vice-consul of the German Consulate General in Hong Kong said:

It's totally inappropriate because these symbols of the Nazi regime stand for cruelty and crimes against humanity. These symbols brought a lot of pain not only over Europe, but over the whole world. It's definitely not the way to promote clothes.

The diplomat, who elected to remain anonymous, urged the public to boycott Izzue.

Deborah Cheng, the marketing manager for Izzue, said the theme wasn't intended to cause an outcry and may be withdrawn. She said they've received a few complaints from customers and that she didn't realise the Nazi symbols are considered offensive. I'd bet there have been more than a few. Her level of ignorance was revealed with this statement:

We're seriously considering removing the displays. But before we take them off, we have to find a replacement.

Excuse me, you don't continue to offend at your convenience. You take them down, now.

View large image She may be clueless, but staff at one of the stores knew something was wrong: they tried to prevent an Associated Press photographer from taking pictures and tied up the lower section of the banners to hide the Nazi symbols.

Oops, too late.

I mentioned the Buddhist swastika is different from the one Hitler used, and as a point of comparsion, I give you this:

View large image These symbols can be found all over Hong Kong, on schools and many other organisations. No Westerners take offense to them. Izzue wouldn't have had as big a problem if they'd only used the swastika, but those banners leave little doubt someone thought the Third Reich theme was cool.

I wouldn't be saddened if this monumental error in judgement burns the company to the ground.

← Older Posts · 早前 | →