Tyler, the Creator Launches Anti-Homophobia Merchandise
Tyler, the Creator is known for stirring up some controversy, and while the launch of his new clothing line promoting anti-homophobia was a positive gesture, it was the symbol used that has many turning up their noses.
According to the Huffington Post, the symbol in the line's logo reappropriates an old neo-Nazi emblem known for its slogan, "White Pride Worldwide." The shirts feature a rainbow-adorned version of the symbol with the text "Golf Pride Worldwide" surrounding it, referencing the Odd Future member's fashion collective Golf Wang.
While some may hope that the utilization of the logo was unintentional, it appears as it was, judging from a statement released from the rapper on the Golf Wang Tumblr page. "Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that these guys aren't for Blacks, Gays, Asians or anything else that doesn't fit in [a] 'white' box," he wrote. "Now having the thought process that I have, I asked myself some questions: What if a Black guy wore this logo on a shirt? Would he be promoting self hate? Would he be taking the power out of a shape? What if a gay guy wore this on a shirt? Would he [be] promoting Homophobia? Then BAM! I Had it. Throw a little rainbow in the logo."
No stranger to controversy, the "Yonkers" rapper was heavily critcized in 2011 for using the word "f****t" more than 200 times in his debut album Goblin. When addressing the situation on the Arsenio Hall Show in 2013, he said, "It's just another word that has no meaning."
He even further applied those sentiments to the background of his new line, saying, "I was never referring to [someone's] sexual preference when using that word... I'm legit one of the least homophobic guys to walk this earth but, most people read the surface."
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(Photo: Tyler the Creator via Instagram)
