Beware this question contains a racial element.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....orn-black-slaves.html

These Addidas trainers are pure ridiculous, but are they in any way offensive to black people?

In fact they are so 'way out' that I would not be surprised at them catching on amongst the young.

Some have said that they are reminiscent of the days of slavery, but then that could be said when prisoners in America are shackled around the feet and hands.

But Addidas are not alone, Nike has also provoked outrage by launching a new Black and Tan line of trainers for St Patrick's Day.

Are these trainer manufacturers purposely creating outrage, or are some people being over sensitive?

[mike11111]

I think that you are missing the point, never mind having lost the plot. These symbols are "welcomed" by the "oppressed classes" as an affirmation of their former enslavement and current freedom.

[jno]

hard to say what Adidas are up to. The shoes look plain stupid, and it's hard to see who they expect will buy them. At least black and tan are legitimate colours, whatever their historical connotations, but what have shackles got to do with trainers?

Bizarre. As to how offensive they are to blacks - well, let's see how many buy them.

[Kiki-frog]

Hideous and pointless and probably very uncomfortable, rather than offensive. I can't believe that anyone would buy these. But Adidas evidently think so.

[Arksided]

I rate Adidas as Manufacturers I own three pair of Running shoes/trainers by them, but those are hideous... even without the shackles. The connotations regarding them are ridiculous.

[rojash]

Don't see how anyone could possibly identify them as shackles. How would chaining you shoes to your feet shackle you?

[jno]

I don't think there's any doubt that they're shackles, rojash (unless you can think of anything else which looks like that). It's just a question - as you say - of what on earth they're supposed to be doing there.

[Arksided]

rojash good point, unless someone wanted to steal them. They really would have to be confused though.

[rojash]

OK what I meant was "shackles in the slavery/prisoner sense". In order to enslave or imprison you they would need to be attached to something in addition to you ankles. I'm also pretty sure that slaves' shackles were not fastened with Velcro.

People wear bracelets with padlocks on, but nobody confuses them with handcuffs.

[sandyRoe]

Would they be too expensive for chavs? Seem to be giving a nod of acknowledgement to the device that people on curfew have to wear around their ankle.

[FredPuli43]

"Locks your kicks to your anlkles" in the slogan, does rather give a clue as to the nature or purpose of the anklet here. No doubt a complete set, with connecting plastic chain, would be a little impractical in the wearing.

Does anyone on here think these trainers are not offensive because prisoners in jail were shackled too?

[rojash]

Incidentally, AOG, as 80% of your posts contain a racial element, maybe you should consider indicating those that don't, rather than those that do.

[Brenden]

If you consider they have undertones of any racial element - do not buy them- manufacturers soon get the message.

[jno]

oh, I wasn't suggesting they were real shackles, rojash, but they're clearly meant to look like them and evoke them, and I can't see the point. You may be on the right track with your analogy of fake handcuffs, I don't know.

[emmie]

they look stupid, and quite frankly i would be amazed anyone would be persuaded to wear them, including savvy youngsters

[ludwig]

I think they're so stupid I can't see anyone wearing them, but not really being an expert on current fashion I asked my 12 year old what he thought.
He said they looked stupid too.

[ludwig]

I don't they're anything to do with slavery by the way. It's more 'prison chic' if anything, like wearing your trousers below your arse.

A worse mistake is the Nike 'black and tan' one. I think it's supposed to be a Guinness theme for St Patrick's day, but to call them that really is unbelievably stupid.

[emmie]

i wondered if the Nike people actually know anything about the real Black and Tans?

[Tilly2]

I think the chains should be longer, to fit around the waist, to hold their trousers up.

[sp1814]

I'm confused - are these the ACTUAL trainers, or just an advert for trainers (which won't have the chains)?

Also - has anyone noticed that the Daily Mail include the story about the offence to the Irish over the black and tan shoes in March, but didn't bother reporting the story at the time?

Why didn't that story gain any traction???

Actually - just read the story again - that's really what they look like...wow.