Walking Dead T-Shirt Pulled From Store After Racism Controversy

To quote the man himself: Not cool.

Clothing retailer Primark has pulled a Walking Dead t-shirt featuring one of Negan’s most popular catchphrases “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” from their store due to complaints saying it was “racist” and “offensive.” One customer in particular said he and his wife were “shocked” to see the shirt on display, calling it “fantastically offensive.”

“This image relates directly to the practice of assaulting black people in America and it is directly threatening of a racist assault, and if I were black and were faced by a wearer I would know just where I stood.”

Earlier versions of the “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” line replaced “tiger” with the n-word, which caused the controversy.

Petition launched to return “racist” #WalkingDead t-shirt to #Primark stores after complaint sparks ban – https://t.co/jpKB5gJ4K2 pic.twitter.com/Fe44NRWDUX

— Market Rasen Mail (@RasenMail) February 22, 2017

While AMC has yet to comment, Primark issued this statement:

“The T-shirt in question is licensed merchandise for the US television series, “The Walking Dead,” and the quote and image are taken directly from the show. Any offence caused by its design was wholly unintentional and Primark sincerely apologizes for this.”

Naturally, Walking Dead fans want the shirt returned to stores because they believe the phrase in question was not meant to be racist at all. In fact, Negan hesitates to kill Glenn – an Asian American character – in the comics because he does not want to be considered a racist.

There is no word yet as to whether Primark will reverse its decision and return the shirt to stores.

Source: Huffington Post