To think the Katy Perry shoes are NOT racist? Just fuck ugly?

[hotwing]

How on Earth are they 'racist'

I do think the black pair look pretty near the knuckle, racism-wise. A poor design.

Katy Perry is the last person I think of when I think of fashion. Half the time she looks like she's been physically assaulted by tacky clothes. Do designers have a grudge against her or something?

Shoes are hideous.

Seriously ugly..why on earth would anyone want to wear them. Mind, it seems to have got her attention so maybe thats why

I was going to post something similar.
I bet her shoe sales site has had lots of visits since this controversy.
The rest of the collection seems average to me. And over priced.

I agree with dome PPs, I think they're racist. They look like gollywogs or blackface, the white ones don't. Also quite baffled by some people saying white people aren't allowed to decide what's racist or not. I disagree with that. I'm white but I don't see why that makes me unqualified to find something racist. I'm straight but I can identify homophobia.

100% agree that they're very ugly though, in any colour!

it’s considered racist because it closely resembles black face

A new word should be invented for this ugliness. I wouldn't wear those if someone paid me by the minute!

It depends on whether you think racism lies in the intent of the perpetrator or the effect on the victim.

If the latter, then they are racist.

Agree they are beyond fugly as well.

Also quite baffled by some people saying white people aren't allowed to decide what's racist or not.

People are saying that white people are less alert to what might be racist, or that might hurt black people. Or more, sometimes. Basically, that it doesn't really matter how we white people view it, but how black people do (as the targets of racism).

I think most of us have a good grasp of what is and isn't, based on what we've learnt, but no, we shouldn't decide.

So... a singer promotes a range of plug ugly shoes, in all skin colours, and is racist! I thought the colour nude was racist... it only comes in a sort of pink!

Seriously deluded yes, but racist?

Think it through:

Skin tones - not racist, evryone has a skin tone or two
Red lips - are black women supposed not to wear red lipstick, just in case someone thinks they are being post-ironic? That would be racist!

Is there anything a white woman can do in the field of fashion that isn't racist if she tries to include all the ethnicities of her fans?

Had, erm, Naomi Campbell designed them they would not be racist... or would they? Black woman mocks white women and trout pouts...

Then again, I am white. How would I know?

Also quite baffled by some people saying white people aren't allowed to decide what's racist or not

Really? I’d have thought that was pretty obvious. I can’t imagine there would be a great reaction if a bloke decided something wasn’t sexist.

I don’t really understand why the shoes are considered racist given they are clearly part of a range with different colours. I understand the history of blackface but don’t quite get why it’s being correlated with the shoes. However, if there are people out there who face racism regularly who think there is a good enough reason to deem these shoes as racist, I’m happy to go with that and I’m glad they’ve been withdrawn from sale.

Cinderella would of left that shoe behind on purpose

I wouldn't blame Cinderella if she did . They are the weirdest things I have ever seen for feet (and I used to wear Crocs to my eternal shame)

@Lweji I'm afraid I still disagree. Each individual person can decide what is or isn't offensive to them. If I think they're racist to me but a black person doesn't their opinion doesn't trump mine. We can have different opinions and they can be equally valid.

@Yabbers, well it would be different if I was saying they weren't offensive... But I think they are. My point is I can find them offensive, and I am not wrong for holding that opinion because I'm white.

Not intentionally... but I'm not black and if some people who are black find them hurtful/offensive then they are right to withdraw them.
I can see theres black and white skinned ones... which is good as it would certainly have been racist if there were only white versions... but it's the stylised facial features that are the problem I think... if you just saw the black ones on their own you would be strongly reminded of 'blackface' or the big cartoonish features of the goliwog... which I imagine could be hurtful for someone black...
I'm sure it wasnt intended to cause offence but it is thoughtless and has the potential to cause hurt. So I'm glad they've been withdrawn.

My point is I can find them offensive, and I am not wrong for holding that opinion because I'm white.

That’s not “deciding if they are racist or not” that’s agreeing that they are offensive. Nobody is suggesting that’s a problem,

They absolutely look like minstrels. Intentional or not.n

What I find hard to believe is that that shoe got through the entire design and production process without anyone pointing out that the imagery might be a tad problematic.

If I think they're racist to me but a black person doesn't their opinion doesn't trump mine
I think it does. One of my biggest bugbears is people of one group telling another group of people what should be offensive to them.

This is how we get all the “Christmas is cancelled because it offends Muslims” shit.

They look like they have been decorated by three year olds. Very ugly.

I can see why people are offended by the black shoes having blue eyes. Didnt' Toni Morrison write a book about experiences of racism called the bluest eye?

I've looked at them with my glasses both on and off and I can't see the racist connection, even with the black ones.
They're hideous though.

@Yabbers I'm not telling anyone else what yo feel, I'm saying what I feel.

I think this comment upthread says it best - they look like those old fashioned cartoons of black people. They really really do.

what makes you think you can comment on if black people find something racist if you are not black?
im 1/4 black and i wouldn't