Gap Tee Pulled From Stores

By Kim Anne Oct 17, 2012 10:51PM

Gap has pulled one of its T-shirts from store shelves after a wave of controversy began over the words on the tee.

The tee, a collaboration with GQ Magazine, has been receiving negative attention since its debut when customers began commenting about it via Twitter, Facebook and email, says Blackbookmag.com.

What’s so controversial about the shirt? It says the words “manifest destiny” on it, a phrase commonly associated with the genocide of indigenous American people as a result of U.S. westward expansion during the 19th century.

After all the customer comments, Gap finally released a statement of its own, saying “Thank you for your feedback regarding the ‘Manifest Destiny” t-shirt. Based on customer feedback, we will no longer offer the t-shirt in our stores or online.

Tell us on Facebook: Do you think the tee is inappropriate, or is the uproar unjustified?

Photo: Courtesy Gap

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687Comments

Newest

Oct 18, 2012 12:53AM

People really need to get a life. They are too hypersensitive

Previous replies

AE23

Oct 18, 2012 12:52AM

Manifest Destiny involved the belief that Caucasian Christians were appointed by God to spread their beliefs and way of life to the world's "savages". Read the Treaty of Ghent, not only are Indian people referred to as savages, but it is stated no land will be taken from them without their agreement... at the very least this is a hideous lie. Not only that, but Indians were promised enough land to farm and sustain themselves. These people were not agriculturalists, nor were they given land appropriate for such endeavors. Not to mention the deadly diseases brought about by a sudden shift to an agricultural lifestyle. The shirt was inappropriate in that it referenced a time in our nation's history that was full of deceit and an unfounded sense of entitlement.

Previous replies

The observer52

Oct 18, 2012 12:49AM

Lets examine the fact's

1- It's the GAP seriously, most of their customers don't know what the **** manifest destiny mean's.

2- Only something this lame and inane becomes a cause celeb in our society.

3- Indigenous People don't you mean Inglorious Bastard's?????

4- We as an advanced Society have given a lot to the Indigenous People's i.e. Casino's, Booze, Ability to sell cigarettes on the cheap.

Verdict: The GAP should sell shirt's that say "I survived Auschwitz and all I got was this lousy shirt"

Previous replies

BO-ISAFOOL

Oct 18, 2012 12:48AM

Manifest Destiny - Is It and Age Thing - so as you grow old your T grows holes and mold ?

Previous replies

chipjeep

Oct 18, 2012 12:47AM

Ridiculousness!!

Previous replies

Bodyrock750

Oct 18, 2012 12:47AM

Making a big deal over a stupid t-shirt is pointless and stupid, but the term carries a lot of meaning, both positive and negative. Manifest Destiny was the idea that it was god's will that america expand westward. Simple as that. Within this idea the forced relocation and wars with native populations did lead to some negative aspects to the overall positive idea.

Manifest destiny though is just a small part of our westward expansion. It made the U.S. what it is today, and I do not think many american should be ashamed of it. Can't change the past, We move on learn from the past.

As a liberal, I find it so annoying that people get so bent out of shape over meaningless controversies, such as this t-shirt. I find the shirt to be funny, which I assume was the idea behind it. Some people just have too much time on their hands.

Previous replies

BO-ISAFOOL

Oct 18, 2012 12:46AM

If you have Wing Nut and It's all steel and you can not paint it or label it and you say it does a 180 out how do you prove it turned 180 degress if the nut is first cut from its bolt?