Converse shoe company is frickin' stupid and money grubbing ......

Probably no self-respecting blood or crip would wear them. So, their no doubt marketed to wiggers.

WORD!!!  and I won't have to wear that bandana on my head any more.  The shoes got me covered that too.

LOL, guess I am full of sh-t then    How bout them Bollicine people?  red and blue only.  Bastards! http://www.shop.com/Floto_Bollicine_Handbag_in_Red_or_Blue-82164417-p!.shtml

Actually, Crips prefer British Knights because the BK also stands for Blood Killers.  Columbia Knights stands for CK - Crip Killers

One of the big problems in recent years with local gangs is the advent of Air Jordans and other $150+ shoes is gang members stealing kids shoes... some get killed for them

they ain't stealing $49 converse hi tops

OK, a little googling, the reason converse are used by gangs (along withBK, CK, Nikes, etc) is the five point star logo which apparently is the same as some gang cr#p

This problem of creating product line and marketing to gangs goes MUCH, MUCH deeper than you could possibly imagine.

So you're saying that the bloods must also love Burger King.  Which clearly means...Peter Griffin is a blood.

(bkPeter.jpg)

Ethically, it is a poor decision about marketing...  I'm embarrassed for them...  It's in very poor taste.

However, they shouldn't be held "responsable" if gang members are killing themselves based on colors and these shoes...  If so, then we may have to blame the NFL, MLB and NBA, who's jersey colors are also appealing to gang members as well.  The shoe companies for producing high priced shoes that kids are getting killed over as well.

The shoes are an embarrassment, but I shy away from stating that companies need to take responsability of what individuals may do with their products....

I'm not saying that Converse/Nike should be held responsible for any gang activities.  I'm saying that they have some serious ethical issues with specifically targeting and marketing to an area of society that is problematic.

And yes Jim, I didn't want to say that and had edited that out of my post before putting it up.  But the reality is that Joe Whiteboy from Azz Pimple, Iowa will be the one who buys them to be cool and also probably will be the one to get his azz kicked badly by gang members .......

Are there Bloods and Crips in Azz Pimple, Iowa?  I never knew.

I cannot think of a single reason why the LA Dodgers (whose primary color is Blue) would sell this hat, other than to target gang members (minority youth?)

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012081&cp=1452355.1452790.1454568

Same with the Yankees:

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2722177&cp=1452360.1452526.2016109

First, it's a bit presumptive to state that minority youth = gang member.  Among other things.

Second, what am I missing?  I think Rick's post has more credence (even tho it's a little reactionary in my view, but so be it), than saying that a black baseball hat with a red logo is targeted to gang members.   Yes, Dodgers color is blue, but teams for years have been marketing apparel with alternate colors/schemes. 

I am looking at a black Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim cap with red letters.  Is that also gang related?  Is the purple logo targeted at homosexuals (to borrow another oft used association)?

Third, why shouldn't a team located in a highly Hispanic area market to its audience... i.e., minority youth? 

I guess I am just a little less conspiratorial than others.

If you want  to go after companies truly marketing to gang members, why not go after record companies selling t shirts with gangsta rappers on them.... or flannel shirt makers.... 

I know certainly that these are not the only products that specifically target the "thug" youth mentality.  It is all over the hip hop "culture."  And it sells

The fact is that these are only available in two colors, WITH ASSOCIATED COLORED BANDANNAS.  Not black, or green or yellow or some other color.  Just the two known rival gang colors of the two largest and most recognizable gangs out there with their most recognized symbol included in the shoe.  And it is not an inner city of large metropolis area problem.  We have branches of the two gangs in frickin' way out suburban Baltimore!!

The simple observation through the media that this type of thing does not bother people and will more than likely just get swept under the rug shows the complacent attitude of the US populace and is a crying shame .......... It ain't in my neighborhood so why should I care?

Well, it is in your neighborhood, you just have your blinders on.  (Not directed at any one person, but at society).

It looks a little wrong the way I typed it - I admit. They were meant to indicate to separate, but linked groups of people.

However, I'd be willing to bet that the overwhelming majority of gang members are young (under 30), non-anglo males...

As would I, but the Venn diagram would say most gang members are minorities, but not that most minorities are gang members.  I know you aren't saying that though.

Still disagree Rick.  Being born and bred in LA I am well aware of the issues, but disagreeing that Converse is marketing to gang members doesn't mean it's being swept under the rug.  I prefer to focus on more salient (to me) issues, such as the lack of males/fathers in the inner city communities and minority on minority crime.  While the "converse" issue may to you seem more palatable, on the list of things contributing to the Thug Life it's way down there, among say aftermarket products to turn your Chevy Impala into a low rider.

Of course, it's all my opinion.  YMMV

the three available colors in these shoes are Blue, Red and both with white.

why do you hate France?

you rang?  (btw: it is pronounced "Asbury, Iowa"

unless the shoes were sold at "The Buckle," I wouldn't have considered purchasing them...

Or Ohio State/Michigan fans