Demand an Apology from Shein.
The Issue
On July 9th, many people took a photograph of a metal swastika pendant being sold on the Shein website. This is a hate symbol not only deeply offensive to the Jewish community, but it is a symbol that should be deeply offensive to any individual who holds human rights and equality as a core value. While Shein removed the necklace from their website, it is clear Shein feels it was an appropriate item to sell, to begin with.
The Jewish community, and all those who stand for equal human rights, demand that Shein both apologize and commit to combatting antisemitism and all forms of hatred. As a global community, we have a responsibility to stand up for all marginalized communities, including the Jewish one. We have all made a commitment to never forget, this is a clear example of how antisemitism and all hatred is alive and thriving.
In regards to those who pointed out that Shein, as a Chinese-based company, may have been selling the pendant as an eastern religious symbol: the company was advertising a pendant depicting something extremely similar to the world's most prominent hate symbol and was describing it as a "swastika", to a US market. In lacking strong evidence and context that this was intended to be sold as a religious symbol, the anti-racist community should beg to differ...
To quote a friend of mine, "...the swastika was originally a symbol in the ancient language of Sanskrit meaning 'well-being'. But unfortunately, when Hitler stole that symbol its meaning was changed [forever] in the eyes of [broader] society. The swastika blatantly represents Nazism and Antisemitism at that. Regardless if Shein intended [for this pendant] to be seen as the Sanskrit [and Buddhist/Jainist] symbol or not, they must realize how their actions are interpreted...it is not enough to be 'not racist', we must be ANTI racist....no one has the right to tell any group what does or does not offend them...it is [an] unfortunate [situation] for those who use the symbol as a positive one in their culture, but...that is not the point anymore."
To truly be anti-racist, you must defend ALL marginalized groups. We cannot be selective in our advocacy, and the Jewish community has been left isolated since the beginning of time.
Together, we can change the conversation. Please sign, share, and let's work together to make this world a little bit better for us all <3.
The Issue
On July 9th, many people took a photograph of a metal swastika pendant being sold on the Shein website. This is a hate symbol not only deeply offensive to the Jewish community, but it is a symbol that should be deeply offensive to any individual who holds human rights and equality as a core value. While Shein removed the necklace from their website, it is clear Shein feels it was an appropriate item to sell, to begin with.
The Jewish community, and all those who stand for equal human rights, demand that Shein both apologize and commit to combatting antisemitism and all forms of hatred. As a global community, we have a responsibility to stand up for all marginalized communities, including the Jewish one. We have all made a commitment to never forget, this is a clear example of how antisemitism and all hatred is alive and thriving.
In regards to those who pointed out that Shein, as a Chinese-based company, may have been selling the pendant as an eastern religious symbol: the company was advertising a pendant depicting something extremely similar to the world's most prominent hate symbol and was describing it as a "swastika", to a US market. In lacking strong evidence and context that this was intended to be sold as a religious symbol, the anti-racist community should beg to differ...
To quote a friend of mine, "...the swastika was originally a symbol in the ancient language of Sanskrit meaning 'well-being'. But unfortunately, when Hitler stole that symbol its meaning was changed [forever] in the eyes of [broader] society. The swastika blatantly represents Nazism and Antisemitism at that. Regardless if Shein intended [for this pendant] to be seen as the Sanskrit [and Buddhist/Jainist] symbol or not, they must realize how their actions are interpreted...it is not enough to be 'not racist', we must be ANTI racist....no one has the right to tell any group what does or does not offend them...it is [an] unfortunate [situation] for those who use the symbol as a positive one in their culture, but...that is not the point anymore."
To truly be anti-racist, you must defend ALL marginalized groups. We cannot be selective in our advocacy, and the Jewish community has been left isolated since the beginning of time.
Together, we can change the conversation. Please sign, share, and let's work together to make this world a little bit better for us all <3.
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Petition created on July 9, 2020