An article on the ABC News website titled
Urban
Outfitters Condemned for Jewish Star Tee speaks about how "the
Anti-Defamation League condemned Urban Outfitters for selling a t-shirt with a
symbol that looks like the yellow Star of David Jews were forced to wear in
Nazi Europe."
When Boycott Watch saw the article and the t-shirt,
 depicted here (Photo credit to Urban Outfitters), it was
immediately clear to us the design had nothing to so with a Star of David
whatsoever. We saw a 3-dimentional geometric box design. The ADL, however, has
condemned Urban Outfitters by stating "We find this use of symbolism to be
extremely distasteful and offensive, and we are outraged that your company
would make this product available to your customers" and this
"…represents a new low."
When presented with the facts of the design, the
ADL released a
statement recognizing the fact that they did not understand the design, but
the ADL still refused to retract their criticism of Urban Outfitters. The
t-shirt was removed from the website, no doubt with an economic loss both for
Urban Outfitters and the shirt designer.
Fred Taub, President of Boycott Watch said "The ADL did
not do their homework. They overreacted without getting the facts. Later, when
presented with the fact that they did not understand the image and despite
knowing they made a mistake, the ADL refused to apologize. It's an M.C. Escher
design type and there is no point on top, therefore not a Star of David."
Boycott Watch believes the poor reaction by the ADL hurts
their efforts. "As someone who fights real Antisemitism, I am confused why
the ADL put itself in the middle of this. ADL National Director Abe Foxman
should know better" said Fred Taub. "By attacking non-Antisemitism as
actual Antisemitism, the ADL is hurting its own image. Mr. Foxman needs to
issue a statement of apology immediately." |
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