Business

‘Nothing to Do With Slavery’: Adidas Cancels ‘Shackle Shoes’ With an Apology

Adidas Cancels JS Roundhouse Mid Shackle Shoe Sneaker After Public Outcry | Jesse Jackson

(Photo: Adidas via Indie Wire)

Following a massive public outcry, Adidas has canceled its line of JS Roundhouse Mids “shackle shoes.”  Originally debuted on Facebook, the shoes have been deemed “ignorant,“ ”racist,“ and ”repulsive” for their connotation with slavery and prison inmates.

(Related: ‘Promoting Slavery’?: Adidas Under Fire for Sneakers That Include Orange Shackles)

CNN explains:

The high-top sneakers, dubbed the JS Roundhouse Mids, were expected to be released in August, according to the Adidas Originals Facebook page. “Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?” a caption below a photo of the sneakers read.

The June 14 post prompted plenty of criticism from around the Web, with many of those commenting saying they felt the shackle invoked the painful image of slavery.

“Wow obviously there was no one of color in the room when the marketing/product team ok’d this,” said a commenter, identifying herself as MsRodwell on nicekicks.com.

“I literally froze up when I saw a new design from Adidas set to hit stores in August,” Dr. Boyce Watkins said in a post for the website Your Black World.

Though dismissing the criticism in a written statement by defending the sneaker’s designer, Jeremy Scott, as having a “quirky” and “lighthearted” style, Adidas nonetheless said Monday that it planned to cancel the shoe’s release.

“The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery…We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace,” the official statement reads.

Since the news swept the media yesterday, the Reverend Jesse Jackson slammed the Adidas shoes, even asking NBA Commissioner David Stern to intercede.

“The attempt to commercialize and make popular more than 200 years of human degradation, where blacks were considered three-fifths human by our Constitution is offensive, appalling and insensitive,” he commented.

Comments (88)

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  • The-Monk
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:42pm

    If people would just tie their sneakers there wouldn’t be a need for a chain to keep them from losing them.

    Reminds me of the old-fashioned strings attached to the coat to keep Children from losing their mittens.

    Hey kids; pull up your pants, put on a belt and tie your shoes. : )

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:44pm

      Looks like a personal safety hazard also; besides just being so wrong, on so many levels.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:04pm

      Every American carries the shackles of gov. taxes and banker interest. We are slaves already.

      Report Post »  
    • killertofu
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:11pm

      Are you KIDDING ME?! These people will turn ANYTHING into some sort of racist controversy. I like how ignorant Mr. Jackson is here with his reference to “over 200 years of slavery” because right….African Americans were the only slaves ever…ever. The pyramids were actually built by union workers then I assume? These people are out of control.

      I would totally rock these kicks just to spite them.

      Shackle me up

      Report Post » killertofu  
    • black9897
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:44pm

      Give me a break. If you don‘t like them then don’t buy them. Get over this whole color thing. No one cares. More PC crap Adidas gave in to.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • Macman1138
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:44pm

      They dress like circus monkeys anyways….

      Report Post » Macman1138  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:40pm

      .
      Slavery? Bull.
      They were intended to mimic the orange jumpsuits and
      shackles that the brothers are seen wearing in court.
      Just like baggy pants came from having your belt confiscated while in the slammer.
      Hats and shoes with the tags still attached are to look newly stolen.

      It‘s not racist and it’s not rocket science, the black culture aspires to be felons,
      and they are succeeding to a large extent.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:37pm

    DHS will use these for their internment camps.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • kung
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:34pm

    Damn, those woulda gone good wit my super baggy Bubba-love prison pants.

    Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:46pm

      Correction: Prison pants who’s waist hangs down below your @ss showing off your boxers where you have to constantly keep pulling them up..but what a fashion statement huh?

      Report Post »  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:31pm

    I will repost my post. posted at June 19 at 12:30 and it will still be listed as the last post even though my settings are “newest to latest”.

    The Shoes should have been called “the American Taxpayer”.

    Report Post » toomuchgovt  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:26pm

    They should have called “They American Taxpayer”. I wish I knew they were out, I don’t wear prices sneakers, but I would have bought these and called the “The American Taxpayer”.

    Report Post » toomuchgovt  
  • dpselfe
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:19pm

    Had they only thought to calle them “Zimmermans”………then Black people would proudly wear them as a sign of solidarity with Travon….

    Report Post » dpselfe  
  • Talent-Keyhole
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:16pm

    Think positive. Those of you — as I did — who ran out and bought 10 pairs of them and have now wrapped them in protective plastic, will most likely achieve at least a 25% increase in our investment. When that Monopoly take off game “Blackopoly” came out years ago, I knew right then that the Jesse Jacksons of the world would be on it like a doodle bug on a cow-pie, as my grandfather used to say. So, I bought 20 of those games and have been selling them one by one on eBay. I paid $6.95 plus shipping for the 20 and the last one I sold on eBay went for $265.00. I still have a few to go, but m holding them back to about one every 6 months. See, I specialize in products which have been condemned by either the Black Community or their White Liberal ACLU folks. Way back in teh day I found a lot fo 500 Carriage Boys (those posts where you tied your horse, consisting of the image of an African American boy in a Jockey Uniform. Well, when folks started painting them with white faces, I knew it was time to strike and bought that lot off of an old boy who was going to put them back in the scrap iron pot and melt them down. I’ve been making around $500 each for them. Nice social security supplement. If only I had been around when my Great grandfather’s house was parceled out to the heirs. He had about every kind of KKK collectible stuff you can imagine including his custom tailored Grand Wizard’s outfit.

    Report Post »  
  • bassist237
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:12pm

    The only people upset about these are the people that wouldn’t be able to steal them off the victim they are trying to burglarize… :) :) :D… jk, kinda..

    Report Post » bassist237  
    • The Knave
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:32pm

      I’m upset now….can’t buy a pair. They would be worth a friggin fortune if you had a pair. Have to wait for the Chinese knock offs I guess.

      Report Post »  
  • tweetybird
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:11pm

    They should just cancel these shoes because they are UGLY!!!!

    Report Post » tweetybird  
  • Lando
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:07pm

    “blacks were considered three-fifths human by our Constitution is offensive”

    Know your history about it before commenting David Stern. Coming from a nba commissioner who has never shot a basketball, and halfway ruined the game by allowing zone defense.

    Report Post » Lando  
  • YallComeBack
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:05pm

    Personally, I thought it was a cool marketing ploy.

    These sneakers are so powerful, you have to keep them chained on!!!!!

    What is racist—- is thinking that ONLY black kids would want these.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:20pm

      My first thought was “Are you chained to your shoes” as in you put a high value on them. But you’re right, it’s more racist to think only black kids would like them. And besides there were a LOT of Irish who were “indentured servents,” which is just a nice word for slaves.

      Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:20pm

      Like I said before, they ALWAYS think that EVERYTHING is about them. Aimed at them, done to make fun of them, taken from them, said to them, etc. They have had so much smoke blown up thier asses you would think by their behavior that they were 85% of the population.

      Report Post »  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:04pm

    I don’t get it if a private company researches that a lot of people want to look like fools, then they should not be afraid to make a profit helping them.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
  • Landon410
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:04pm

    this article made me LOL

    Report Post »  
  • KeystoneState
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:00pm

    I kinda figured that having “Yo Spensive Kicks” cuffed to yourself like a case full of paper would be considered pretty dope in da hood. Why then does RUN DMC get a pass fo droppin dem laces out dey Adidas house style (like they do in jail) anyways? Keep it real Keystone.

    Report Post » KeystoneState  
  • drenfroe
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:58am

    If you blow your nose and your not black or muslim they take offense. Why dont you cater to them.

    Report Post »  
  • 2smart4libs
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:57am

    I thought the prison thing gave you street cred?! So whats the problem

    Report Post »  
  • love the kids
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:52am

    So, offering a black some work must be a bad reminder also.

    Report Post »  
  • red_white_blue2
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:49am

    OMG its not a Nazi Swatchkam its a chain! What line are you drawing to associate it with slavery? Are you saying the majority of those kids purchasing them would be black? Isn’t THAT racist!? My God people! Get Real!

    Report Post » red_white_blue2  
  • lukerw
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:39am

    Damn… I have to replan my Christmas giving List!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:37am

    China, where these will be produced by child labor will keep up the mfg of shackle sneaks. Fits perfectly with Mao and Maobama.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • drattastic
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:37am

    How brain dead are these “big thinkers”? Not to think this would be an issue . Stupid on so many levels not to mention ugly as hell. Now it’s time for the shakedown artist ,the “Revs.“ Jessie Jerkson and Al notsoSharpton enter stage ”left”.

    Report Post » drattastic  
  • LB
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:36am

    I guess they only market shoes for blacks? This is crap the company caved to the race BS.

    Report Post » LB  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:34pm

      Go try and find a pair you would be OK with being seen in public in…it’s not easy.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • piper60
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:35am

    I really hope they cancel the shoes in ALL of their markets, not just the American ones. Otherwise they could end up on Ebay. Really ugly shoes in the first place. I also hope Adidas doesn’t come out with a sneaker that has six sided stars in the design.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:34am

    Africans even play the race card with tennis shoes…..lol. Pathetic!

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:49am

      The black tribes in Africa only attacked the tribes that wore tennis shoes. That‘s why it’s racist.

      Report Post »  
    • retiredguy1952
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:11pm

      Agreed. Solution: If ya don‘t like ’em…..DON‘T BUY ’EM!!

      Report Post »  
  • jungle J
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:34am

    Fear of the dark sinned people has weakened the world and will destroy it….

    Report Post »  
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