Join me in a boycott?

[bliss_eternal]

This is also posted in the activist/events forum here on DU.

I would like to boycott stores that carry the Von Dutch line of clothing. The name Von Dutch is the self proclaimed moniker of an infamous airbrush artist and sign painter. He was a racist and Nazi sympathizer. Though he is dead, someone purchased the right to his name from his daughters and has put it on clothing that became popular in young celebrity circles and with urban youth over the last year.

While I don't begrudge this man his millions, I don't like the fact that he is using the name of a man that notably hated minorities and signed letters "heil Hitler" just prior to his death. I don't like that these clothes have appealed to youth that saw Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Ashton Kucher and Puff Daddy wearing the items.

I feel that the current administration is one of hatred, exclusion and discrimination. These things can only exist if we allow them to seep into society through media, fashion, etc. By starting with one company that is promoting the name of a racist, intolerant man, we can send the message that the Democratic of this country refuse to endorse or put up with such messages.

We have to educate the public about the root of the name Von Dutch and what this man stood for. It's a small step toward eradicating hatred and disabling those that earn their living from it. Also let retailers know that we will not shop with them until these items are taken off their shelves and no longer carried in their stores.

Presently, the VonDutch website states it is carried in Bloomingdales in New York, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If I can provide an e-mail address and snail mail mailing address would any of you be willing to write letters stating you will no longer do business with a company that promotes racism, intolerance and hatred?

If you'd like more information on Von Dutch, who he was, or what he stood for please see my Von Dutch boycott thread in activist/events forum.

Thank you!

oh and p.s. The man that created the clothing line claimed he didn't know Von Dutch was a racist. At one time, he did allow people to return the shirts and other mdse to his stores for a refund if they didn't want them after finding this out. While this was a lovely gesture, I don't get why he would continue to churn out MORE mdse. with this guy's name on it, if he feels so badly about it... Ok, that was just fyi.

[KT2000]

1. Thrift store shopper here

though I doubt I will run across something like this - I would boycott such clothing.

[BUSHOUT]

2. You want to boycott an owner because of a previous owners actions?

This seems a little...conveluted to me.

If we want to fight this administration, target companies that support it. Companies like Coors. Sinclair.

I'm sure a full list will emerge soon.

[bliss_eternal]

3. No, not a prior owner's actions...the NAME

The name they are using Von Dutch, is the name of a Nazi sympathizer, racist man. He hated all minorities with a passion and spoke of it frequently.

Though the guy that bought his name for licensing, claims to have not known this about the guy when we he bought his name.

To me, it is a milder equivalent of putting a swastika or Hitler's name on cute clothes and selling them to the masses. Not many seem to know what guy stood for. It breaks my heart to say a young latina woman walking around with Von Dutch emblazened on her shirt--knowing he would have rather see her dead.

I will participate in the boycott of the R party, absolutely.

I just feel that the world is become progressively more hateful and that disturbs me. I feel that stuff like this adds to it. I want to boycott it because I think it is deplorable and disgusting to use the name of a man that wanted to see minorities eradicated from the earth.
I'm trying to work on the bigotry and discrimination in society by making people aware of the meaning behind this name. At the very least, I want to make sure no more minorities buy from this line or wear it.

It may be far fetched but I am giving it a shot. Thanks for the input! :)

[jdots]

11. I hate to tell you this

if you were to look at voting records of clothing biz execs,it wouln't be a very democratic bunch.Just look at the tags in most garments,find any that say Made In America ? This trend of greed started in the mid 60s.As far as Von Dutch is concerned he pin striped alot of choppers,the whole Kustom Kulture is what it is,alot of people selling to to a certain audience.We can't be snotty to these people,we have to prove to them that they have been duped,and that takes some real doing,something we have to work on.I am all for boycots,but we have to make the people figure out why,I hope we can do this before it's too late.

[Carolab]

4. Sure

and for fast food freaks--BOYCOTT McDonald's and Chipotle. They are HEAVY Republican donors. Also Wendy's and Outback. If you must get a burger, get it from Burger King--heavy Democratic donor.

[bliss_eternal]

5. Great! Thank you, Carolab...

I will be posting any information I can find here, in terms of where to write and to who, etc.

Thank you for the information on the fast food places. I will definitely pass the word along on those and not eat at those places either.

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

7. wouldn't be too sure about Burger King

what's your source for that?

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.asp?strID=C00368803

shows BK with 67% Repub contributions, plus further contributions to Republican PAC's.

[ever_green]

10. Yuck, haven't eaten fastfood in yrs. No meat either.

I'll do this boycott too. I already was, I would never wear that crap, how trendy and generic. These barbie dolls might as well wear a uniform, they all look the same!

[devilgrrl]

6. I like the Von Douche wear much better anyway.

I hate brands in general, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, etc...

[bliss_eternal]

8. Von Douche....LMAO! I haven't heard of this before...

Is this also a brand that someone put out? That's so funny!

[devilgrrl]

9. I've seen a few of them...

I'm assuming in reaction to the craze.