Online retailer Shein has taken down a listing for a necklace featuring a swastika design and apologized for the outrage it caused.
Social media users called out the online retailer for the swastika necklace on Twitter last week and accused it of promoting anti-Semitism, according to CBS News.
in case u needed another reason to boycott shein: they are selling fucking SWASTIKA NECKLACES. this is ACTIVELY THREATENING to the jewish community. i’ve seen you all posting about other issues but being silent on antisemitism – do NOT let shein get away with this. pic.twitter.com/gReEmW4Tyi
— ronit (@ronitk_) July 9, 2020
STOP SHOPPING AT SHEIN. not only do they use child labor and fast fashion, they are literally selling a SWASTIKA NECKLACE. please speak up about this pic.twitter.com/ohmV3mAkSk
— sarah. ²⁸ ☆ | ACAB (@babietommo28) July 9, 2020
SHEIN really said “as if our labor practices aren’t problematic enough let’s add some more spice 🥰🧚♀️” pic.twitter.com/qz3efLgb9r
— lauren (@laulaulaulauren) July 9, 2020
I have purchased things from Shein multiple times before learning the truth behind the extremely unethical practices of fast fashion. After seeing this, I’m appalled. There is no excuse to not educate yourself on the companies you buy from. Spread the word pic.twitter.com/CT08BDsPPE
— Keeks (@Kiaraaaa2) July 9, 2020
After the backlash, Shein posted a statement on its Instagram account on July 10 where the company apologized for their “gigantic mistake” by “selling a product that’s hurtful and offensive to many of you.”
“There’s simply no excuse for our lack of sensitivity in doing so,” the company added.
They continued by explaining that the symbol they used was a Buddhist swastika and not the Nazi swastika.
“The Buddhist symbol has stood for spirituality and good fortune for more than a thousand years, and has a different design than the Nazi swastika which stands for hate — but frankly, that doesn’t matter because we should’ve been more considerate of the symbol’s hurtful connotations to so many people around the world, and we didn’t,” Shein continued.
The online store added that they are making internal changes as a way to ensure that things like this won’t happen again.
“The only thing we can do is profusely apologize and reassure you that we’re making major internal changes so this does not happen again,” it said. “We know we have a lot of work to do to deserve the love and support you’ve shown us these last few years. But please believe that we in no way support or condone racial, cultural and religious prejudice or hatred. We love all of you and hope you will stay with us.”
The symbol of good luck or prosperity drastically changed after Adolf Hitler used it to represent the Nazi flag in 1920, according to New York Daily News.
After the atrocities brought on by the Nazis, many countries banned the use of swastikas.
Feature Image (left) via @hereforthetea2, (right) via @fashionambitionist
