Sportswear giant Nike has stepped out of line by naming a new $90 'beer-themed' trainer after a notorious British paramilitary unit sent to Ireland to suppress revolt in the 1920s. The limited edition 'Black and Tan', launched just in time for St Patrick's Day on Saturday, has dragged the U.S. firm through the mud for its 'huge insensitivity'. It has, critics say, evoked painful memories of the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, who became notorious for a brutal crackdown on ordinary Irish during the War of Independence. please log in to view this image Given the nickname of the Black and Tans for their improvised uniforms, its members used uncompromising measures to enforce British 'Home Rule' in Ireland - and were deeply unpopular as a result. Nike was doing the equivalent of calling a shoe 'the Al Qaeda', one leading Irish American has said. Others said the firm was 'oblivious' to the historical connotation, believing it only a reference to the drink made by mixing stout and pale ale, usually Guinness and Harp or Bass, in a pint glass. 'Is there no one at Nike able to Google Black and Tan?' asked President of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform Ciaran Staunton. In an advert for the trainer, officially called the Nike SB Dunk Low, but dubbed the 'Black and Tan' for its colourings, it is stated: 'Tis the season for Irish beer and why not celebrate with Nike. 'The Black and Tan sneaker takes inspiration for the fine balancing act of a Stout (Guinness) on top a Pale Ale (Harp) in a pint glass.' And online shoe store kicksonfire said: 'Beer drinkers can rejoice soon as their favourite pastime is slated to have an official piece of footwear endorsed by Nike SB. 'The Nike SB Dunk Low âBlack & Tanâ is set to hit shelves in roughly 10 days and if the last photo set we showed you wasnât enough these should definitely hit the spot. 'The leather trimmed sneakers feature a gradient suede portion that goes from black to tan and is highlighted by a creamy swoosh. 'The insoles also give a shout to the stout by featuring an image of a pint glass. These may ultimately be pretty hard to find as they are a quick strike release but donât let them pass without a fight.' Nike, however, said the name was not its officially given one, but had been given it by 'some' - even though it appears on many retailer websites as Nike SB Dunk Low 'Black and Tan'. A spokeswoman said: 'It is not the official name of the shoe. It has been unofficially named by some using the phrase and we recognise it can be viewed as inappropriate and insensitive. 'We apologise and no offence was intended. --------------------- How can people by offended by this when it is obvious a nod to Guinness.
at "one Irish-American has said" - he probably had one Irish great-great-great-grandparent and is as black as the ace of spades
Medro you are being obtuse However it reminds me of an older story When rangers released a new strip in the early nineties, the badge of the strip had a border around the name rangers....but the border was very close to the name and also looked like an I Daily Ranger was pushing the story of how the rangers top now said "IRA" and the bears were raging I don't remember the outcome A few sore wives I bet
Avoidable? Why? It's a pair of shoes with a nod to the most popular Irish drink in the world. That's why they are called "beer themed" trainers.
It's also the name of a paramilitary force that killed Irish civilians...so yes, easily avoidable! A 'black and tan' drink is not even called that in Ireland...
It's not really like calling them Al Qaeda is it? The Black and Tans were used to suppress an uprising and quell rebellion, Al Qaeda have never done that.
There is also a cocktail consisting of Guinness called The Irish Car Bomb. Maybe Nike should name their next pair of trainers that? What a stupid ****ing thread this is.
I saw this earlier today via Phil Mac Getitrightupyou and thought "bet Medro makes a post about this" Getting predictable wee man
