Target , number 88, and liberalism

[p schultz]

This isn't a case of Target, um, targeting, the number 88 in general. Or of
Target banning from its stores anything with the number 88. Target recalled
shirts which incorporated the numbers 8 8 (written on the shirts in bold
caps as EIGHT EIGHT) with other design elements (bloody skulls on the
shirts) in ways that evoked current white supremacist imagery. I don't know
if it's been ascertained if these clothes were intentionally designed to
evoke white supremacist imagery or were merely designs the
manufactuers/designers ripped off somewhere along the way believing it would
appeal to a juvenile demographic. One can argue that the designs were
harmless, but it's clear it's not a case of mere oversensitivity to the
number 88.

Paul Schultz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Henwood" <dhenwood at panix.com>
To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2002 4:50 PM
Subject: Re:Target , number 88, and liberalism


> frank scott wrote:
>
> >"Nobody knew what it meant," said Carolyn Brookter, director of
> >corporate
> >communications for Target. "We certainly apologize that this was out
> >there. We would not have any white supremacist symbols out selling as
> >merchandise."
> >
> >wonderful...now a meaningless symbol, to a relative handful of people,
> >becomes big-time hate speak...can I sue my neighbor for wearing a "69"
> >jersey, in plain view of my children? how about "666"? or "route
> >66"...god bless america.
>
> So what's your idea? They should have kept quiet hoping no one would
> notice? Is this an example of PC run wild? White supremacy is just a
> harmless fashion statement?
>
> Doug
>