[Screwston]

Quote:

Nike was an official outfitter for the London Olympics this year, but we're starting to question the brand's team spirit. A controversial Olympics-inspired Nike t-shirt is on the market emblazoned with the phrase "Gold Digging." Since the garment is only available for women, fashion bloggers and the Twittersphere are calling it sexist. Apparently only women--or female Olympians--are gold diggers.

Controversial Adidas "shackle" sneakers never made it to stores

Was there not another more positive, inspiring phrase Nike could have printed on these women's tees? "Reach for the Gold," "Go for the Gold," or "Good as Gold," would have gotten the point across in Nike's trademark "Just Do It" sort of way. A gold digger is a woman out for a man's money. In this Olympic context, a phrase like "Gold Digging" implies you don't deserve or didn't earn your prize, and you went about obtaining it in a deceitful or unsportsmanlike way. The American women at the Olympics this year worked hard for their medals, and took home twice as many golds as their male counterparts.

Here's a complete list of US Olympian medalists

But this hasn't stopped many major retailers from carrying, and almost selling out of Nike's "Gold Digger" t-shirt. The style, which comes in black, grey, or white with gold lettering, is currently available at Footlocker, Finish Line, Sports Authority, Nordstrom, and Eastbay for $24.99. Some sites have put the shirt on sale, most likely since the Olympic games have ended.

Nike's own website lists the "Gold Digging" shirt as "Style that starts a conversation." And start a conversation it certainly has. The item description says, "When nothing less than the best will do, the Nike 'Gold Digging' Women's T-Shirt is up to the challenge with a bold design that's a treat on the eyes in a slim, comfortable fit."

One online store called the World Soccer Shop apparently saw the potentially offensive connotations of the t-shirt and listed it with the following statement "We aren't saying they're gold diggers - we're just saying they're out for the gold! What's wrong with that?"

Many people see something wrong with it.

Fashion blog Styleite, who wrote about the t-shirt, tweeted, "US ladies win two-thirds of the country's gold medals at the Olympics, and @Nike rewards them with this sexist tee." One man on Twitter agreed, writing, "Really, @nike, really?! You're going with "Gold Digging" for one of the #USWNT Olympic shirts? Super sexist." One woman asked, "Is this #Olympics pride? Big surprise not avail in Men sizes." Another man tweeted, "What do you know - Olympic sponsors (corporate exporters) NIKE design Sexist 'gold-digger' women's shirts. New low."

On the other hand, some people are appreciating Nike's tongue-in-cheek Olympics shirt. "I've gotten so many compliments or laughs at my shirt I'm wearing 'Gold digging' #nike," one woman said on Twitter. Another user laughed, "Truth hurts!!" A college girl Tweeted, "I can think of a few girls on this campus who should wear this." One woman wrote, "I want one," while another asked aloud, "Seriously...is this really a big deal?"

Nike did not immediately respond to calls for comment. Since the "Gold Digging" t-shirts were so widely distributed and are already on sale in many places, it's doubtful the items will be pulled. Do you think Nike should apologize for their poorly worded tee, or do you think people are overreacting to just another silly t-shirt slogan? Let us know in the comments.

This is not the first time Nike has come under fire pertaining to the Olympics this year. The The U.S. women's soccer team was subject of ridicule for wearing Nike t-shirts reading "Greatness Has Been Found" after its gold-medal win over Japan. People found the slogan smug and inappropriate. Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times tweeted, "Greatness has been found,' but not humility. Gross," while SI.com's Courtney Nguyen agreed. "Put those t-shirts away, USA," she tweeted. "Keep it classy."

In addition, Nike's controversial TV ad featuring a 200-pound boy running made headlines at the start of the London games. Watch the clip below.

UPDATE: Nike contacted us with the following statement on their “Gold Digging” shirts: “Nike has consistently supported female athletes and the position they enjoy as positive role models. The t-shirt uses a phrase in an ironic way that is relevant given it was released just as the world focused on the success of female athletes.”

http://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/nike-8217...00666.html

[TheMan]

I like it.

[lurker123123]

One man on Twitter agreed, writing, "Really, @nike, really?! You're going with "Gold Digging" for one of the #USWNT Olympic shirts? Super sexist."



mangina even talks like a woman

[Timoteo]

The bloggers are going overboard. We know what gold digging means in the normal context, but the shirt doesn't insinuate that the female athletes didn't earn their medals, or went about winning them deceitfully. For attention, their purposely misinterpreting the shirt to further their own agenda. How can anyone reasonably assume that the athletes didn't EARN their medals? Fuckin' stupid. It's called a play on words. If so many find it offensive, why is it selling so well?

[Tuthmosis]

[el mechanico]

This is a real commercial. Also my first bang in 6th grade was wearing these. The first pants I peeled down.

[Kid Strangelove]

Nowadays I think it's just a race over who can be the first to be offended over some shit so they can write an article about it and get their fame or writing credentials up.

This is an obvious play on words, you can even see the GIANT gold nike swoosh below the lettering. There is absolutely no way to confuse that. But someone said "you know, someone MIGHT be offended by this so I better be the first".

I really hope nike doesn't back down from this. They have been on fire recently. Their "find your greatness" campaign has been brilliant and really makes you want to go out there and kick some ass.

As for the "controversial" commercial everyone is talking about? Here it is, in all its "fat shaming" "thin normalizing" and whatever else Jezebel likes to use glory:

you have to be a real piece of shit to put down this commercial

[teh_skeeze]

Guy you are overlooking one major point. The CEO of Nike is a man and is profiting off the play of words. Don't these bitches participate in things called "Slut Walks"? I'm pretty sure that's more degrading than digging for Olympic gold. They are just upset because they didn't think of it first.

The way I see it, it's like the modern use of the word nigger (nigga). Blacks have taken a word that is loaded with connotations to slavery, and turned it into a new word for brother. Just don't say it if you are white and not part of the crew. [no race troll]

[Cookie]

Girls: Describe themselves (with pride) as being bitches, often boast about manipulating men into giving them free things, listen to artists such as Nicki Minaj and Kreayshawn, watch Sex in the City, and idolize numerous dumb sluts who are only famous for their poor behavior and shitty life choices.

Yet god forbid someone release an Olympic themed tee shirt that uses the term "gold digging" as a play on words. That's just flat out offensive.

[Basil Ransom]

Nike should retract these. Instead, it should introduce a tee showing an attractive female athlete, like Hope Solo, wearing her medal, with the caption, 'Golden Retriever.' Solo would be on all fours, wagging her tongue lustfully at the viewer.

[Timoteo]

(08-16-2012 11:00 AM)Kid Strangelove Wrote:  

Nowadays I think it's just a race over who can be the first to be offended over some shit so they can write an article about it and get their fame or writing credentials up.

This is an obvious play on words, you can even see the GIANT gold nike swoosh below the lettering. There is absolutely no way to confuse that. But someone said "you know, someone MIGHT be offended by this so I better be the first".

I really hope nike doesn't back down from this. They have been on fire recently. Their "find your greatness" campaign has been brilliant and really makes you want to go out there and kick some ass.

As for the "controversial" commercial everyone is talking about? Here it is, in all its "fat shaming" "thin normalizing" and whatever else Jezebel likes to use glory:

you have to be a real piece of shit to put down this commercial

The kid and his mom were on the Today Show this week to talk about the reaction to the ad. Thankfully, the young man is undeterred by the critics. He and his mom have no regrets. Nike has always been bold in their marketing, and the first time I saw the ad it definitely glued me to the screen, because you have NO idea it's a Nike spot until the very end. It isn't the least bit exploitative. We complain about fat acceptance, and just the overall laziness that's befallen our population - especially among young people. Here's a kid that's getting off his ass and trying. This ad should be universally applauded.

[Roosh]

One of the problems with feminism is that your sense of humor must be eradicated in order to get faux-offended at everything.

[j r]

(08-17-2012 08:29 AM)Roosh Wrote:  

One of the problems with feminism is that your sense of humor must be eradicated in order to get faux-offended at everything.

As Orwell wrote:

Quote:

The sex instinct will be eradicated. Procreation will be an annual formality like the renewal of a ration card. We shall abolish the orgasm. Our neurologists are at work upon it now. There will be no loyalty, except loyalty toward the Party. There will be no love, except the love of Big Brother. They will be no laughter, except the laugh of triumph over a defeated enemy. There will be no art, no literature, no science. When we are omnipotent we shall have no more need of science. There will be no distinction between beauty and ugliness. There will be no curiosity, no employment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always -- do not forget this, Winston -- always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face -- forever."

Sound familiar? Feminism is a ballet flat stamping on beta male face - forever.

[Roosh]

Quote:

Feminism is a ballet flat stamping on beta male face - forever.

Ballet flat? More like Target brand flip flop.

[UgSlayer]

(08-17-2012 08:29 AM)Roosh Wrote:  

One of the problems with feminism is that your sense of humor must be eradicated in order to get faux-offended at everything.

Or any sense of merit that doesn't come with a certificate or degree or vagina

[Tuthmosis]

(08-17-2012 09:31 AM)Roosh Wrote:  

Quote:

Feminism is a ballet flat stamping on beta male face - forever.

Ballet flat? More like Target brand flip flop.

I was thinking more of an Ugg boot with a fat calve blossoming like a muffin over the top of it.

[j r]

(08-17-2012 10:49 AM)Tuthmosis Wrote:  

(08-17-2012 09:31 AM)Roosh Wrote:  

Quote:

Feminism is a ballet flat stamping on beta male face - forever.

Ballet flat? More like Target brand flip flop.

I was thinking more of an Ugg boot with a fat calve blossoming like a muffin over the top of it.

That's it. How did I miss the obvious?

Feminism is an Ugg boor stamping on a beta male face - forever.

[alphaspiraton]

(08-16-2012 10:59 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  

This is a real commercial. Also my first bang in 6th grade was wearing these. The first pants I peeled down.

Bang in 6th grade?

I think we want to hear this story, if it hasn't already been mentioned on the forum.