Forever 21 stops selling "Allergic to Algebra"
Forever 21 stops selling "Allergic to Algebra"
A Forever 21 shirt with the words “Allergic to Algebra” printed on the front is the latest shirt to draw criticism for its seemingly anti-education message for girls and teenagers.
One shopper posted a photo on Reddit.com, a social news website, of the shirt on a mannequin with a neon green note attached to it with the message: “SMART girls are cool. Don’t buy this top.”
Many comments on Reddit.com expressed disdain for the shirt.
“It’s a big deal because there is still this childish perception — among females AND males – that girls can’t do math,” wrote a commenter by the handle mikgyver. “I can’t tell you how many times, as a girl who’s good at math, that I’ve been accused of ‘trying to be a guy’ when I get good grades in math.”
“Our merchandise is intended to appeal to all audiences, not to offend them,” said Linda Chang, a senior marketing manager for Forever 21. “We would like to apologize to our customers as our intent was not to discredit education and we are taking the proper actions necessary.”
The company said that it is pulling the shirt from its website.
The trendy, Los Angeles-based retailer is popular among teenagers and the shirt is being sold for $12.80. There were no shirts that alluded to education in the men’s section of the website.
The “Allergic to Algebra” Forever 21 shirt follows a controversial and similarly themed shirt from JCPenney.
Less than two weeks ago, JCPenney pulled a shirt from its website that drew sharp criticism from consumers calling it “sexist.” The girls’ shirt read: “I’m too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me.”
Share on Facebook
- Posted on September 19, 2011
Animals
Art
I think that they should keep the shrt, because its not calling girls dumb. Its just sarcasm and its not hurting anyone. Also, people have that shirt, so appearently they like that shirt or they wouldn't wear it. Any who, they should keep the shirt, because people love it and its not hurting anyone.!!!
I do not agree with tis. Because everywhere else people have shirts like that. It is just a saying. I love Forever 21, they have the cutest clothing. I do not agree!! People do not know how to take a joke these days.
i cant agree with taking the print down becasue it just a shirt its not like its really going to affect peoples opinoins that much. i personally dont like math and i would totally 100% buy this t-shirt. but i think poeple are blowing this out of porportion. this is just a shirt its not like its real.
I think that it is surprising that they actually discontinued making this shirt. I think that many people just misunderstood and read too far into what it says. I don't think that this shirt is implying that girls can't do math, or trying to portray an anti-education message to girls. Personally, I like the majority of the clothes that they sell at Forever 21 because they have a wide variety and they all tend to be very unique. I agree with what is stated in the article, that they are just trying to appeal their clothing to all different groups of girls which they are very successful in doing so. Regarding this shirt, I feel that its more for the humor, then to convey messages.
I dont agree with taking the shirt down! :( Forever 21 is an amazing store, and the shirt wasnt saying girls cant do math, it was just having words on it! Gosh people, calm down..
I think that this was a misinterpretation of the message. I don't think that this will influence others in a negative way. Usually these shirts and accessories are just for leisure and cuteness. You see all these shirts that boys wear that say: "I'm allergic to my sister." Of course it's just a cute shirt and they aren't really allergic. I think that teens and girls are smart enough to figure it out.This is important so that it doesn't turn into something bad.
I think that people are over thinking the idea of this shirt. The makers of the shirt were not intending to say that "Girls are stupid". Instead I think this is a shirt similar to another shirt that says "I'm allergic to Mornings." This is just another one of those graphic tees,everyone has one, so it is not like people are trying to say that others are stupid. I think the problem is not really the shirt, but instead how people interpret it.
This article is just annoying. I like the shirt like seriously what's wrong with it? I don't like how everyone's making a big deal out of it. I wonder how the designer of the shirt feels.
I don't see the negativitiy towards education some claim is evident in this top. It broadcasts an opinion popular with many upon a highly dislliked subject, and the company shouldn't be blamed for any sort of attempt to attack eduaction. The whole ordeal makes me wonder if people really are as busy as they say, considering they have time to complain and fuss over something as small as this.
That cracks me up! I beleive that it should have been taking off of the website for school reasons; however, I do not think that it would offend an Algebra teacher. Algebra is hard and it gets stressful. The teachers might even get a kick out of it too!