Nov 27, 2007 10:46 am US/Eastern
Retailer Selling Not-So-Merry Santa Shirt
Reporting
Chris May
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A t-shirt featuring a holiday icon making an obscene gesture
has led to another clothing controversy at "Urban Outfitters" stores.
St. Nick is typically depicted as a jolly man in a bright
red suit, but he is depicted in a much different light on a black t-shirt being
sold at Urban Outfitters.
The shirt is emblazoned with the words, "Santa Claus Hates
You," and St. Nick posing an obscene hand gesture.
"It is Santa putting up his middle finger," one shopper described.
The $28 shirt is among the latest offerings from Philadelphia-based Urban
Outfitters.
While it is out of stock at the chain's Center
City location, shoppers out looking
for Christmas gifts said it is also out of bounds.
"Oh no, that's definitely too negative of a shirt, that
just takes away from the holiday spirit," added another Philadelphia
shopper.
Urban Outfitters is no stranger to controversial goods.
In 2004, its board game "Ghettopoloy" angered some community leaders.
The company faced boycott calls last year for marketing a Christmas tree
ornament called the "Glittering Gun."
The company said the ornament was discontinued this past November, citing the
on-going crisis of violence in Philadelphia.
Wildly popular among young people, Urban Outfitters is known for pushing
buttons, especially with its t-shirts.
CBS 3 Reporter Chris May spoke
with Urban Outfitters by phone, who were unable to disclose whether they had
received any complaints about the "Santa Claus Hates You" shirt. They
were unwilling to offer any additional comment.
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