They say “There’s No Such Thing as Bad Publicity”- if only that was the case for Urban Outfitters. While Urban has super cute clothing, they represent an immoral corporation. As college students on a budget, we’re already on the fence about paying $49 for a paper thin t-shirt. We’re looking for reasons to NOT waste our money, but ironically, Urban Outfitters always seems to give us one.
Last week, Urban Outfitters was trending on all social media sites, being shamed for the insensitive and offensive “Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt”. What they failed to acknowledge was the appearance of the shirt and how it could be interpreted. Due to the faux-bloodstains on the sweatshirt, people assumed Urban was referring to the 1970 Kent State massacre. For those unfamiliar with the event, the Ohio National Guard shot into a crowd during a Vietnam War Protest, killing four students and wounding nine others. While executives from the retail store claimed it was never their “intention to allude to the tragic events that took place at Kent State”, consumers had a difficult time believing that statement.
In the wise words of Hannah Montana, everybody makes mistakes- but Urban Outfitters has caused serious offenses and controversies in the past for their screw ups to be considered *mistakes*. The over-priced retailer has previously sold/featured products which offended religious groups, various races, and poked fun at individuals suffering from drug abuse and other disorders.
A few years ago, Urban featured a t-shirt in its clothing line that read “Eat Less”. From a consumer perspective, it seemed as though Urban was promoting and condoning eating disorders, which are serious issues in our society and not to be poked fun of in any way. One Tree Hill actress (and my personal girl crush) Sophia Bush took a stand to this offensive shirt and “declared war” on Urban Outfitters. As an advocate for a healthy body image in girls all across the globe, she asked that everyone consider boycotting the retail outlet entirely. In addition, the fierce Sophia Bush came back with this:
“You should issue a public apology, and make a hefty donation to a women’s organization that supports those stricken with eating disorders. I am sickened that anyone, on any board, in your gigantic company would have voted ‘yes’ on such a thing, let alone enough of you to manufacture an item with such a hurtful message. It’s like handing a suicidal person a loaded gun. You should know better.”
I think it’s time to live by the words of Sophia Bush and take a stand to unethical corporations like Urban Outfitters. Whether these controversies are “publicity” stunts or not, Urban Outfitters represents an unethical company in more ways than one. Why should we be investing our (barely existent) money in a retailer that provides nothing but overpriced clothes, while managing to hurt and offend others in the process?
Below are links to articles that cover other “publicity” stunts Urban has made in the past:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/reasons-why-urban-outfitters-is-the-worst#1wn3st8
http://www.mtlblog.com/2014/01/the-10-most-controversial-urban-outfitters-products/#
http://www.mtlblog.com/2013/09/sophia-bush-declares-war-on-urban-outfitters/#
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