Why some people aren’t happy about this Primark T-Shirt

From empowering statements to iconic TV and film quotes, slogan T-Shirts have become a style staple of late. But Primark has been forced to remove one of its own tees from shelves after it was accused of being “fantastically offensive.”

The top emblazoned with a bloodied baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire and the words “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” received complaints from some shoppers who accused the slogan of being racist.

The phrase stems from cult hit show The Walking Dead and is used by fictional character Negan before he attacks his victims.

But Methodist Minister Ian Lucraft, who spotted the T-shirt while out shopping with his wife in Sheffield, complained that the top was “fantastically offensive.”

“We were shocked when we came face to face with a new t-shirt with a racially explicit graphic and text,” he told the Sheffield Star.

“I can only assume that no-one in the process of ordering it knew what they were doing or were aware of its subliminal messages,” he continues.

“The slogan is “Eenie meenie miny moe…..” It stops there, but of course we all know what the original said.”

The Minister went on to say that he believed the bloodied baseball bat image related directly to the practice of assaulting black people in America.

“It is directly threatening of a racist assault, and if I were black and were faced by a wearer I would know just where I stood,” he continued.

Following the complaint, a Primark spokesperson apologised for any offence caused and confirmed that the T-shirts had been removed from shelves.

“The T-shirt in question is licensed merchandise for the U.S. television series, The Walking Dead, and the quote and image are taken directly from the show,” the spokesperson told The Star.

“Any offence caused by its design was wholly unintentional and Primark sincerely apologises for this. Primark has removed the product from sale.”

But some Walking Dead fans took to social media to express their disappointment that the T-shirt had been taken off sale.

“If you find this t shirt ‘racist’ you’re part of the problem,” one user tweeted.

“Can’t believe the complaint about #thewalkingdead tee in #primark Absolutely commical statement, that couple should just stay inside,” added another.

“Can’t believe they pulled the shirt. Idiotic PC brigade! Educate yourselves on the show and stop reading racism into everything!” another man tweeted.

It isn’t the first time a High Street chain has pulled a slogan T-Shirt over racism complaints. Back in 2012 clothing giant, Gap, removed a black T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Manifest Destiny” from sale following complaints and a petition from consumers who believed it was racist.

Do you think the T-shirt should have been removed from sale? Let us know @YahooStyleUK

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