Jack Ass Designer Creates Racist Attack on Obama, Charges $69 Dollars

[marmar]

via AlterNet's PEEK:



Jack Ass Designer Creates Racist Attack on Obama, Charges $69 Dollars

Posted by Zachary Pickens, Common Dreams at 2:26 PM on July 25, 2008.

You can personally express your desire to see these t-shirts removed from Braun's store at 193 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002.




Race -- specifically the race of Senator Barack Obama -- has been a subtext of this Presidential election cycle from the beginning. At first, we were unsure if Obama was "black enough" due to his mixed race family, having a white mother from Kansas and a non-African American father from Kenya. Then we heard "Barack the Magic Negro" and allegations of Michelle Obama calling someone "Whitey." We heard that Obama's candidacy is a conscious act of affirmative action by millions of disconnected voters all over the country. We heard that Obama's pastor is a racist and that reverse racism is the real issue in this campaign.

All this underscores a true insecurity in this country about race and the relations between white and black communities. If race were no issue, a black man would run for president, submit his policy positions and promises, and be elected or rejected. Instead all news, all statements, are now pouring through the filter of race before entering the mainstream of democracy.

But the saddest parts of this situation are the instances of blatant racism that have emerged in our own communities that have gone unchallenged. Posters we have seen with our own eyes, racial slurs spoken about Obama we have heard with our own ears, false accusations have been allowed to stand unchallenged by those that know the truth.

Last summer, I remember talking with a professor of mine who said that Obama would never get elected because America was not ready for a black leader. He said the campaign of a black man would bring out the worst in the racist white supremacists and nationalists in this country. The reality of a black candidate would bring race to the fore and force us to confront it. I said I was ready for that. I said I want to see clearly who stands in that camp so we know who to approach with the light of truth.

My first personal contact with this blatant racism came yesterday upon hearing about a particular clothing designer on Manhattan's Lower East Side who sells t-shirts that read, "Obama is my Slave." The designer, Doron Braunshtein aka Apollo Braun, has also made shirts that read "Obama= Hitler" and "Who Killed Obama?" If this is an attempt to shock and to gain publicity, it has served the designer's goal through numerous blog posts and news articles, many written in a tone of outrage. The "Obama is My Slave" t-shirt had gained publicity after it was reported that a woman wearing the t-shirt had been assaulted by a group of black teenage girls at Union Square.

After reading the news and blog accounts, I went down to this man's shop to confirm the story. I did not go as a journalist. I went as a concerned citizen that wanted some answers. I walked through the main entrance where an "Obama is my Slave" t-shirt was proudly displayed and asked him if the story was true. Did a woman really get assaulted at Union Square for wearing his "Obama is My Slave" t-shirt? Yes, unfortunately it was true, he said. The two women customers in the shop cooed with sympathy for the poor t-shirt designer. I asked him if he understood why someone would react that way. He says it doesn't matter because "this is America." I ask him if there is no responsibility attached to the freedom of speech and he gives me the same spiel. I then tell him I think his shirt is disgusting and he should be ashamed of himself. That was my freedom of speech on display. The women looked shocked.

That's when he boots me out of his store. He points to the camera and says I need to watch myself, and that I should never show my face again in his store. I just say I'm not here to do anything but register my protest, and tell him that there are plenty of other people that are going to do exactly the same. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/92807/jack_ass_designer_creates_racist_attack_on_obama%2C_charges_%2469_dollars/

[cliffordu]

1. It would be too bad if this individual was a victim of a hate crime.

really

:sarcasm:

[redqueen]

2. sickening

but not surprising... sadly

[treestar]

3. What is so horrible about the term "whitey?"

And Barack is not going to be anyone's slave; but he will be their president.

Ignore these morans. They are deliberately stirring up trouble.

[Cleita]

63. Yeah, I actually knew a guy whose nickname was Whitey.

No one seemed to be offended.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. not the first one....pictures here

http://gothamist.com/2008/05/12/apollo_braun_de.php

[sellitman]

7. He gives us Jews a bad name.

He is about as Jewish as David Duke

[Monk06]

21. I have to say, "Not a Jew Bob" Cracker white supremacist, pretending to be a Jew.

Strange alliances. Cats and Dogs living together.
We abide in interesting times.

[Behind the Aegis]

38. He does. And some will jump all over the fact he is a Jew.

[High Plains]

48. Well, he certainly does.

[Behind the Aegis]

51. Doesn't take much does it? n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

55. I, for one, will not.

But it is hard to understand how someone from a race that has been subjected to so much persecution can believe the way he does toward someone of another race. He probably isn't to up on history.

[Behind the Aegis]

57. Good for you!

Seriously.

"But it is hard to understand how someone from a race that has been subjected to so much persecution can believe the way he does toward someone of another race."

We see this in some raging anti-Semitism from the African-American community. It is no different, IMO, than some of the disgusting racism and misogyny I see coming from members of the gay community. That said, I find myself asking the same question: "how can a person from a group which has a history of horrific treatment and endure ages of bigotry and hate, turn around and do the same damn thing?" The only answer I could come up with is: some people are just assholes!

[awoke_in_2003]

58. "some people are just assholes"

too true

[rebel with a cause]

71. It actually will be hard to for some people not to jump to this

conclusion because his shop is in a pretty historic Jewish shopping district. I use to live there and my ex-husband worked in the area. It is where the rich (movie stars even) come to shop to save money on name brand items. A great place to get a bargain, but sometimes hard to get admitted into some of the shops. At least that is how it use to be some years ago.

Too bad he had to set up his shop there. I spent a lot of time there. :cry:

[lurky]

23. Looks like a junky asshole.

Guess he's getting the attention he so desperately craves.

[salin]

26. someone got it right... (not appolo bruan)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26506439@N04/

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

30. beauty!

where can I get one of those?

[Gabi Hayes]

33. if you ddn't see it.....I do believe that's shopped on top of the original

he really does have the look of a SUPER douchebag about him

someone really ought to notify the JDL

.....a friendly, educational visit

[Vanje]

46. How many minutes until the Secret Service visits me.....

if I step out in a "WHO KILLED BUSH?" T-Shirt?

[newmajority]

5. Why hasn't this racist piece of shit been deported yet?

:grr:

[ColbertWatcher]

6. I want to mock this asshole, but I don't want to give him any more attention.

What should I do?

[Canuckistanian]

8. I used to love Jack Ass's stuff

No more.

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. Gee, an Israeli could be a bigot? (but he is making money off of it)

His green card needs to be revoked and his citizen attempt denied.

Sorry folks, we have enough of these assholes in this country and we don't need to import more. He is an Fascist and a race monger.

[Garbo 2004]

10. Publicity is exactly what the "designer/artist" seeks. From NY Mag:

"How to Succeed in the Offensive-T-shirt Business by Really, Really Trying" http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/07/how_to_succeed_in_tshirt_busin.html

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. Fuck him evoke his green card

What the fuck does he bring to this nation?

[ulysses]

11. who the fuck pays $69 for a shirt?

[redqueen]

12. depends on the shirt

this kinda shirt? fucking assholes with too much money.

[ulysses]

13. sure, but the question still stands.

$69? For a shirt?

[redqueen]

14. doesn't seem so steep to me

but then again, women's clothes are more expensive in general. not that i'd pay that much, or would even if i could... but yeah... not uncommon for a dressy blouse.

crazy. the whole world is crazy.

[ulysses]

15. see, this is why I'm fine with Ms U dealing with the money.

I don't need to know this kind of thing.

[redqueen]

17. heh

it's nice to see you... hope you're doing well :)

[ulysses]

18. likewise.

Mentioned you in a thread on religious access in public schools a couple of days ago...:)

[Withywindle]

19. For a nice blouse, I could see it.

Totally run-of-the-mill t-shirt that looks like you ironed-on some fucked-up racist shit yourself when you were drunk?

Only the very worst kind of hipster scum - the kind with their heads so far up their asses they're staring at their own pelvic bones, hence "hip."


No sane person would be caught dead in that crap if you paid THEM $69.

[redqueen]

27. Exactly.

It's beyond disgusting...

[salin]

25. my thought as well... seeing someone wearing it would give a two-fer message

the person is a racist idiot

and the person is a financial fool

[proud2BlibKansan]

66. Especially that shirt

I know where you can get one just like it made for about $2.

[morgan2]

20. does no one here get the idea of an ironic t shirt?

these are the same kind of people that sell cheesy old 80s shirts. People buy them not because they like the show thats on them or the brand thats on them, but to be ironic. Its a trend. This guy is trying to take it to the extreme. He may be offending people, but I seriously doubt the guy is racist. In his mind racism is so ridiculous, its funny to wear a shirt with a racist statement. Its not a big deal, and people getting offended by it is the only reason you ever heard of it and making the guy money. If it bothers you ignore it, if you like it enough to buy it, buy it.

[Monk06]

22. Irony relies on a dissonance between what a person says and what they mean

The term irony has been corrupted by the RW
who use it as a fig leaf to mask their racism
and religious bigotry.

When an extreme right wing Jew makes a joke
about Obama being assassinated it is not
an example of irony. It's a subliminal incitement
to murder.

All in the name of humor of course.

[Dukkha]

69. you mean like making not so veiled threats on people lives

then always hiding behind the "oh, it's just a joke" excuse. Coulter, Limpballs, and Baby Reagan have all used that cowardly tactic.

The only "irony" there is that they are not in jail for it.

[Vanje]

50. Like the NewYorker Cover.

Satire.

No. I do not "get it".

Frankly, I hope I never do.

[Behind the Aegis]

24. What's really scary is how this racist brings out racism and xenophobia...

...in others.

[treestar]

28. "Design" LOL

Some Dem should just "design" an identical one saying "Obama is my President."

These people need to be ignored as much as possible.

[datasuspect]

29. his speech (tshirts) is protected speech

period.

people who get offended by this shit crack me up.

buncha finger waving ninnies.

[Behind the Aegis]

31. Yes, it is protected speech.

However, it is people's right to be offended by it. Personally, I find it is very offensive and bigoted. What I find more troubling is the reaction of some to the t-shirt's racist rantings with bigoted rantings of their own.

[datasuspect]

32. you don't have a right to not be offended

this isn't YOUR world, it doesn't conform to YOUR wishes.

you live in it like the rest of us.

maybe consumerism has taught too many of us that our daily lives, perception, and reality are customizable, tailor-made user experiences.

but they aren't. you live in this world with the rest of us. and it accomplishes nothing to let others have that much power over you.

you are allowing your perception to guide your emotions and your reactions to the world.

you are choosing to be offended.

[Gabi Hayes]

34. have you ever encountered anything in your life that's offended you?

please let us know

[datasuspect]

35. i can't control what someone else does

i can control my emotional reaction to it.

[Gabi Hayes]

36. you didn't answer my question

[datasuspect]

39. we're coming from two entirely different perspectives

you want to "win" in this scenario.

whereas, this scenario is purely a form of entertainment for me.

[Gabi Hayes]

43. you still didn't answer the question

bcause you know you've chosen to be offended, which would reveal your little entertainment exercise to be an exercise in hypocrisy, wouldn't it?

why not come clean and admit it?

tell us something that you've chosen to be offended by

entertain us, now, oh wise one, since this has been such an amusing spectacle for you

and if you're afraid to reveal your deepest darkest innermost, why not post some more super lame David Bowie lyrics?

[datasuspect]

44. reaction

it's actually jacques brel, but david bowie recorded it as a b-side sometime around when he put out pin ups.



Amsterdam

In the port of Amsterdam
There's a sailor who sings
Of the dreams that he brings
From the wide open sea
In the port of Amsterdam
There's a sailor who sleeps
While the river bank weeps
To the old willow tree

In the port of Amsterdam
There's a sailor who dies
Full of beer, full of cries
In a drunken town fight
In the port of Amsterdam
There's a sailor who's born
On a hot muggy morn
By the dawn's early light

In the port of Amsterdam
Where the sailors all meet
There's a sailor who eats
Only fish heads and tails
And he'll show you his teeth
That have rotted too soon
That can haul up the sails
That can swallow the moon

And he yells to the cook
With his arms open wide
"Hey, bring me more fish
Throw it down by my side"
And he wants so to belch
But he's too full to try
So he stands up and laughs
And he zips up his fly

In the port of Amsterdam
You can see sailors dance
Paunches bursting their pants
Grinding women to podge
They've forgotten the tune
That their whiskey voice croaked
Splitting the night
With the roar of their jokes
And they turn and they dance
And they laugh and they lust
Till the rancid sound of the accordion bursts
And then out of the night
With their pride in their pants
And the sluts that they tow
Underneath the street lamps

In the port of Amsterdam
There's a sailor who drinks
And he drinks and he drinks
And he drinks once again
He'll drink to the health
Of the whores of Amsterdam
Who've given their bodies
To a thousand other men
Yeah, they've bargained their virtue
Their goodness all gone
For a few dirty coins
Well he just can't go on
Throws his nose to the sky
And he aims it up above
And he pisses like I cry
On the unfaithful love

In the port of Amsterdam
In the port of Amsterdam

[Gabi Hayes]

47. still didn't answer the question

put it back in French, would you, since you can't answer my simple question.

don't use babelfish

[datasuspect]

49. you've already answered your question

you win.

you're always going to win in your head.

that's fine. you do what you have to do until you learn how to do better.

and your question is asinine.

everyone gets offended. just like everyone gets happy, sad, whatever.

life is a work in progress. things that bothered you 20 years ago, no longer bother you. or you learn how to adapt, cope, and grow and become more confident in yourself.

not lashing out against random strangers in an anonymous forum, but true inner strength that can help you do more than you're normally capable of.

[Gabi Hayes]

53. listen, sportster, you started it. I'm not trying to win anything, (couldn't care much less) but

you are an amazingly arrogant jerkwad, who's apparently amused by the discomfiture of those who may have a real reason to be offended by such a shirt

like, oh, say, the relative of a Buchenwald victim

something along those lines, ya know

narcissistic pricks like you seem to get off on their ivory tower delusions of superiority

try joining the real world sometime

doubt if you have much experience there

cheerio and a bientot





isn't it time to get back into the trailer?

[Vanje]

59. ..." lashing out against random strangers"

like calling them "Finger waving ninnies" ?

Good luck with that "true inner strength".

[Gabi Hayes]

61. wonder where it went? mommy say ' time for chores?'

needs its allowance to pay for dial up fees.....

[Vanje]

62. Needed to get back to reading the next chapter

in ,"How to be a Preachy Bastard in 6 Easy Lessons"".

[Gabi Hayes]

64. I 'suspect' commander 'data' is out looking for some people he can more

successfully annoy without being revealed for being the callous/callow twit that he clearly is

or maybe he went out for some AcNoMore Atomic Zit Lifter: "Girls with big bust you'll repulse with your pustules"

the above is a 35+ year old reference...not on the web, far as I can tell

[Vanje]

54. ...."this scenario is purely a form of entertainment for me."

Sort of like a troll.

[Gabi Hayes]

56. sort of like a douchebag for free speech?

maybe Bob Novak got sent to his room for the weekend, and this is all he's got going for him today

that you, Bob? I thought you could express yourself in a more eloquent fashion than you've demonstrated thusly

I know you're a bib Jacques Brel fan, so why not translate those insipid lyrics back into the original Frog?

[Behind the Aegis]

37. I have every right to be offended.

It is as much my world as yours, as you say. However, just because I am offended doesn't mean I believe anything should be done (in this case). I am offended by the Iraq War and something should be done about that situation. Being offended is no different than me being pleased by something. The world you are trying to describe is Vulcan.

[datasuspect]

40. then you have every right to be offended.

rock on with your bad self.

[Behind the Aegis]

41. Thank you for your permission.

:eyes:

[datasuspect]

42. you are naturally free

you don't need my imprimatur.

[Behind the Aegis]

45. Thank you again for clearing that up.

[SteveM]

68. Phew! What gobble-d-guck. Anyone has a right to be offended...

Comments like "this isn't YOUR world, it doesn't conform to YOUR wishes" are meaningless straw.

I let my perceptions guide my emotions and my reactions to the world; otherwise, I am a dead agent.

Frankly, when I hear of this kind of "philosophy," it reminds me of the rankest kind of meandering conformity (and a rather passionless variant to boot).

[Vanje]

52. Expressing my offense is also protected speech.

[Overseas]

60. Discussed a few days ago. Discussing again. The guy's getting lots of our attention.

Thanks, folks !

[SteveM]

65. Just another "politically incorrect" bad boy:

That's the problem with the fashion of "political incorrectness:" once any Tom, Dick or Harry gets into it, they become ever-more outrageous, extreme and edgy -- to the point of dullness. On the whole, folks should speak out against avant-conformity simply because it is so tiresome.

[Causarius]

67. I know you're all going to hate this.

But sorry.
Those shirts are not racist.

Stupid? Maybe.
Bad taste? Surely.
Racist. Not even slightly.

Those shirts are on the same level as the shirts depicting Bush as a Nazi and even not as bad as the shirts implying that Bush should be murdered.

[gatorboy]

70. I'm sure you own a dozen.

Slow Saturday in the basement?

:eyes: