Target 'Trophy' T-Shirt Draws Protest Against Retailer
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Target has become a target from people who say a t-shirt sold by the retailer objectifies women and "encourages a rape culture."
The cotton blend tee, which retails for $12.99, is emblazoned with a single silk-screened word: TROPHY.
A petition on change.org takes the retailer to task for treating women as sex objects.
"Labeling any person as a "Trophy" is demeaning their humanity and objectifying them as a tangible object that can be bought, used, and disposed of," says the petition, which had nearly 14,000 signatures as of Thursday morning.
"What's worse is that the use of the word when referring to women encourages a rape culture where women are merely objects, not humans, to be used for men's pleasure. A large part of the studies done with college campus rapes found that the attackers often took a 'trophy' from their victim, be it a pair of panties, bra, photograph, or even video, to later revel in their 'victory.'"
The shirt is part of a collection of wedding-themed shirts, that also include tees labeled "MRS" and "TEAM BRIDE."
"It is never our intention to offend anyone and we always appreciate receiving feedback from our guests," Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in a statement to USA Today.
"These shirts are intended as a fun wink, and we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests."
One online review of the shirt said: "Great cut makes for a cute fit. And, hey, are we talking about my body, or my mind?!!! Yay! Definitely a conversation starter."