Adidas cancels "shackle" sneaker after critics say it resembles symbol of slavery

Footwear giant Adidas announced evening it was pulling a new shoe design, after a storm of criticism about the sneakers, which feature what looks like shackles attached to them. / Adias

(AP) Adidas canceled plans for a sneaker with a shackle-like ankle cuff Monday night after some critics said it too closely resembled a symbol of slavery.

The JS Roundhouse Mid, a high-top sneaker with an orange plastic cuff, was made in collaboration with fashion designer Jeremy Scott.

The sneaker "is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott's outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery," Adidas said in a statement. "Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, Adidas has received both favorable and critical feedback. We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace."

The sneaker was supposed to be a reboot of a classic high-top sneaker with a strap across the middle. A preview was offered months ago and generated little chatter, but the company recently started promoting it on its Facebook page.

Scott is known as one of fashion's more outrageous characters. Adidas said he is heralded for a style that is "quirky and lighthearted."

The Roundhouse Mid was inspired by a furry toy called My Pet Monster. "My work has always been inspired by cartoons, toys & my childhood," Scott said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press.

Previous collaborations between Scott and Adidas include sneakers with Mickey Mouse and panda bear themes.

[Derrick_DeWitt]

All of this negative attention is completely unfounded. These shoes are IN NO way related to slavery. it was a simple play on the recent shoe thefts that occurred on the Concords release and the Foamposite releases. People are just findin a way to ***** about everything. i wish these shoes were still coming out because i'd DEFINITELY cop them.

[Kasa2012]

These shoes are very upsetting to me in every aspects shackles were not only used an slavery but as a way of imprisonment. I don't believe blacks wouldn't even bought these shoes or anyone should because I really would like to know what Jeremy was Thinking when he created these where did he get his inspiration because I don't believe that he took the idea from a previous shoe that saying that was just a cover up. I am a proud educated African Amercian an I'm very intune with my culture as a whole and I feel offended and If I could sue him I would !

[Doobalina]

The only things that should really offend black people are:
-A whip
-A noose
-A night stick
-A branding Iron
-A job application

These things strike fear into a ****** heart...

-Uncle Ruckus

[kiki9384]

i would by these3 shoes and take the shackles off simple as dat ppl dont have to make things complicated IF U DONT LIKE THE SHOES TURN YO ASS THE OTHER WAY AND DONT LOOK AT THEM OR ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF THEM

[cbswayne]

Now just watch a third-party entrepreneur manufacture the shackles in an array of neon colors, sans the Addias logotype, that can be attached to any and all sneakers. Kids will snatch them up and someone will make a load of money.

[Misanthrope-Obama]

I see the CBS News site manager idiot has been busy deleting the Politically incorrect comments that only say the truth about the people who see racism where their is none.
They encourge this stupidity and that is why it continues.

[curious2knownow]

..this is bondage, not slavery. Are you people stupid?

[Molly-Pchr]

Oh, my lord, they are ridiculous. This is no loss. Poor kids today. What a lot of cr@p they get thrown at them.

[Jaylah54100]

If those are meant for kids, exactly how long do you suppose plastic "shackles" would remain attached?

Personally, I think they look quite uncomfortable. But then I'm at an age where I'm no longer a total "slave" to fashion.

[PlatinumWords]

"Slave"
Quick,Call Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton.
They are slaves to race baiting.

[rs108]

If they offend you..THEN DON'T BUY THEM....you little Judy

[nohater]

slavery, bdsm, pows, child abusers comes to mind. but it's a free country and they should be able to sell them and people should be able to buy them if they want them. imagine the shoes would only appeal to the very young.