Is this new Zara T-shirt racist?

Aug 19, 2014 09:03 pm

Spanish retailer Zara has come under fire for a new T-shirt in its stores that people have interpreted as "racist" and "offensive", Mail Online reported.

The T-shirt comes with the slogan 'White Is The New Black' printed on it.

Though it seems like a mere play on the popular phrase "... is the new black", some people have seen the specific comparison of "white" and "black" as a comparison of races.

US comedy-drama Orange Is The New Black didn't get this kind of backlash:

For reasons unknown, @Zara thought it wise to slap the phrase "White Is the New Black" on a tee: http://t.co/PSnijWEzaR

— Mirna H. (@mirnahh) August 18, 2014

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Why be willfully stupid? RT @TMZ “White Is The New Black” T-shirt controversy http://t.co/MowIunJMmo

— Mrs Najiji (@kaorijoy) August 17, 2014

Don't get me wrong I love the store Zara but for real how you gon put " White is the new black" and expect to get away with it?!

— Petronella (@PetronellaBaby) August 17, 2014

Zara came out with a tshirt that says White is the New Black. No joke! Wow. Probably not the smartest marketing strategy. #stupididiots

— Lily Vonnegut (@lilyvonnegut) August 16, 2014

Excellent job Zara for the "white is the new black" tee. Which ever anonymous designer drew up that needs to be fired for ignorance/low IQ.

— Jennifer Stevens (@jennifer222) August 16, 2014

The phrase "... is the new black" has been used for years and just because a major fashion house has put it in print on a T-shirt doesn't mean the brand is racist.

But I'm not the only one that feels this way. Some fans have taken to Twitter a similar stance on the matter.

@KarenCivil @ZARA white, within FASHION is definitely "the new black." People need to chill allll the way out.

— Mel. (@MELBCM) August 18, 2014

@KarenCivil @ZARA people are bored and need to get a life with the racism BS. 'White is the new black' is now racist?! Wtf

— #TK (@ekbenswaaaag) August 18, 2014

Ppl have been saying for years "white is the new black" in fashion (even black ppl) then Zara puts it on a shirt and now they're racist lmao

— ladonis-jadore ♥ (@LadonisJadore) August 18, 2014

What do you think about Zara's new T-shirt? Is it racist?

Sources: Twitter and Mail Online

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