PacSun shirt offends shoppers with its upside-down American flag shirt. The shirt was part of a collection that was created in collaboration with rapper A$AP Rocky.
As of Monday, the shirt had been taken down from their website. The only other shirt left under the A$AP Rocky T-Shirts was one featuring the rapper with an American Flag in the background.
The design was originally displayed in a PacSun store in Foley, Alabama.
via Pacsun
The photo went viral after Rachel Zawacki-Kuss posted the photo on her Facebook with the caption, “I understand freedom of speech but this shirt, displayed prominently at the entrance of your store, for Memorial Day weekend is more distasteful and disrespectful than anything I thought I’d see.”
Her post has gotten over two thousand likes, and other six thousand shares.
According to the New York Daily News, an employee from the store said the shirt was removed after they received complaints.
The American Flag print can be found on other articles of clothing for different brands such as the logo on socks and bathing suits.
Shoppers were outraged by the discovery of the particularly controversial shirt which featured an upside down American Flag with graphic images on either sleeve as well. Facebook users began to call a boycott of PacSun.
PacSun has multiple shirts that have questionable patriotic spirit.
One shirt has the iconic Uncle Sam pointing photo with the caption “I Want You to Drink Yo Face Off”.
Another shirt has a graphic of a bear holding a red solo cup, and wear tribal head gear. This is part of the Riot Society Americana line of clothing.
Another shirt by PORT LBC is a men’s tank top that features the text, “Red white & booze”.
These shirts can be found under PacSun’s Americana section.
The shirt that’s starting the controversy is by A$AP Worldwide and is black with and black and white upside down American flag on the front of it. The sleeves have graphics on either side of them and the back of the shirt says “ASAP 06”.
It is part of the buy one get one 50% off sale and costs $23.95. It was taken down a few hours after the topic began to trend on social media.
PacSun responded to its users in a Facebook post saying, “As a retailer grounded in youth culture, PacSun values artistic and creative expression through the brands we sell in our stores.”
Every one of PacSun’s recent posts on their Facebook has a slew of comments under them with shoppers sharing the photo of the offensive t-shirt.
Despite its controversy, some shoppers argue that PacSun has the free right to sell this shirt.
According to USA TODAY, “Flags are only meant to be flown upside down ‘in instances of extreme danger to life or property,’ according to the U.S Flag Code.”
Before the shirt had been taken down, it had a two star standing, and reviews range from 1-5 stars, some praising the shirt and PacSun’s right to freedom of speech, while others are shaming the company for its error.
Despite the artistic expression they give the brands they work with, PacSun said,
“Out of respect for those who have put their lives on the line for our country, we have decided to stop selling the licensed flag-shirt and are removing it from our stores and website immediately. We thank the men and women in uniform for their extraordinary service.”
Their post is receiving mixed reviews, while some are saying that the shirt shouldn’t have made it in stores and online, and that it’s too late for them, others are saying that they shouldn’t have given in to people’s complaints.
What are your thoughts on the shirt? Was it justified or did it go too far?
Image via Sun Valley Mall
