PacSun has pulled one of the T-shirts from its collaboration with A$AP Rocky after cries from consumers that it was unpatriotic, Mass Appeal reports. The T-shirt depicted an upside-down American flag, which struck a chord with people this Memorial Day due to what that represents.
An upside-down flag is meant to convey that there is imminent and extreme danger to life and property. Except in those cases, "the flag should never be displayed with the union down," the United States Flag Code says. Consumers were outraged that PacSun would sell such a T-shirt on Memorial Day and took to the site's website and Facebook to voice their criticisms. The shirt was called shameful and disrespectful, and PacSun has responded by pulling the shirt and issuing a statement on its Facebook:
"As a retailer grounded in youth culture, PacSun values artistic and creative expression through the brands that we sell in our stores. Out of respect for those who have put their lives on the line for our country, we have decided to stop selling the licensed flag t-shirt and are removing it from our stores and website immediately. We thank the men and women in uniform for their extraordinary service."
However, others have defended Rocky, who just dropped his sophomore album A.L.L.A. last night, and his right to the artistic statement made by the T-shirt. "Keep it. It's not disrespectful or unpatrotic [sic], the upside down flag is traditionally a sign of distress. Can anyone argue our country is not in distress?" Facebook user Mike Simon wrote in the post's most "liked" comment.
Do you think that PacSun should have pulled the T-shirt?
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