Head to your local H&M and you're likely to find a wide assortment of totally non-offensive casual wear. Just recently, however, the retail giant released a scarf that's raised some serious social media eyebrows.
The chain has been accused of producing a scarf that looks remarkably like a Tallit, or Jewish prayer shawl. Currently retailed at $17.99, the scarf features a classic black and white design and tasseled corners. The Tallit is typically worn during Jewish prayer, the H&M scarf, during a secular snowfall.
Commentators are not having it.
Yo @hm this is exceedingly uncool. https://t.co/CjkTKMGuuj— Sara Taylor Woods (@sarataylorwoods) January 6, 2016
Other people's sacred traditional patterns, other people's signifiers of resistance, other people's holy iconography. Just step off.— Rav Danya Ruttenberg (@TheRaDR) January 6, 2016
@TheRaDR Wow. I'm not easily offended, but that is one offensive scarf.— Jason Rosenbaum (@WhyAmINotAsleep) January 6, 2016
Although, not everyone thinks it's that big of a deal, with a few Twitter users urging people to chill.
Please stop freaking out over @hm tallit scarf! We all secretly like it, poncho not bad either. https://t.co/c3kOvtzz0V @JNSworldnews— Alina D. Sharon (@adainsharon) January 7, 2016
H&M, which sold a poncho in 2011 that also resembled the Tallit, has since apologized for the offensive accessory in a statement sent to Seventeen.com.
"We are truly sorry if we have offended anyone with this piece," the statement reads. "Everyone is welcome at H&M and we never take a religious or political stand. Stripes is one of the trends for this season and something we were inspired by. Our intension was never to upset anyone."
Below is a traditional Jewish Tallitt. Compare, contrast and make extreme judgements, for yourself.
