Forever 21 insults women with 'Allergic to Algebra' T-shirt

[Liberal_in_LA]

Two weeks ago the feminist blogosphere was in an uproar over a JC Penney's T-shirt reading "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother does it for me."

Social media got the word out about the T-shirt's sexist message, and JC Penny quickly yanked the controversial garment from its online store.

Now, the online community has dug up another T-shirt that insults women and supports the old and tired perception that girls can't do math. Over at Reddit a user posted a photo of a Forever 21 tee with the words "Allergic to Algebra" emblazoned across the front. The user stuck a green Post-it Note reading "Girls are smart. Don't buy this top" onto a mannequin sporting the T-shirt.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=97333#ixzz1XlNUsPsB

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. How stupid.

Girls can do math just as well as boys. Algebra is useful if it's taught correctly.

[FLAprogressive]

2. I'm a guy who's always been allergic to algebra. Never "got" math....does that make me dumb?

But the shirts are stupid.

[kentauros]

32. In a country that emphasizes science and math over everything else,

while dropping the liberal and vocational arts as well as extracurricular activities (other than sports)?

Yes, it does. So much for those of us with art degrees...

[LaydeeBug]

36. God Bless you. these people need to lighten up. nt

[kentauros]

37. Thanks :)

I think, though, that had I seen that and had a Post-It Note handy, I'd have written something like "What kind of EpiPen does an algrebra-allergy take?" :P

[toddaa]

48. Good thing Leonard Di Vinci didn't waste his time with all that math junk ;)

Seriously, I bet you know more mathematics than you think. There's more to math than integrals and polynomials.

[kentauros]

50. Oh, I do know up to limits in calculus

but the rest of it was just too much. Thankfully, in topographic drafting, I was able to apply trigonometry into something useful (making maps) which I do to this day.

What I was getting at, though, was how in the US, the liberal arts are being dumped in favor of science and math. At the same time, there are plenty of artists knowledgeable in science/math, and vice versa. What kind of scientists/mathematicians are we going to produce if they aren't exposed to the arts at an early age? And what's going to happen to all those that are artistic if they no longer have a curriculum that supports their talent?

We need our children to have a rounded education, not ones that are lopsided to academia only. The Fins understand this concept. We still haven't figured it out...

[sudopod]

69. "...emphasizes science and math over everything else,"

LOL....wait, you're serious?

[FLAprogressive]

71. We damn sure don't emphasize reading comprehension skills and civics classes....

[sudopod]

73. I think the problem is that we don't emphasize thinking, period.

Not exactly many physicists or art history majors in Congress, on the news, or in People magazine, eh? ;)

Anti-intellectualism really is out of hand in America isn't it?

[kentauros]

74. Well, please give me examples of any politician or school administrator

that has stated we need to be first in fine arts, or vocational skill, or culinary arts, or music. Because all I ever hear, even from Obama, is we must be first in science, math, biology, engineering, et cetera. We need plenty of non-university-educated individuals, but emphasis on science and math is the only thing that gets any air-time.

If there are any schools out there (other than "magnet" schools, which are few and far between these days) that are not promoting the higher-education curricula to the parents and students, I'd sure like to know where they are. Because for the last decade at least, liberal arts, history and vocational teaching has all gone by the wayside, if not outright removed.

[sudopod]

75. There's lots of lip service out there.

You are totally correct that the entire creative sphere is being hidden away and ignored, and I cannot ascribe any value other than "vast" to the damage this is inflicting on the latest generation to pass through our schools, but they are not teaching science or math either. Not at a level above that required for data entry or some other "corporate drone" task, anyway.

The Michelle Rhee's of the world are attempting to teach a skill called "being good at fill-in-the-bubble tests," but so far they aren't even doing well at that. :/

[kentauros]

76. You're right about it being all lip-service.

Yet they are focusing their lip-service on everything but science and math. Either they are exceptionally naive to think that we can have a world that is only scientists and mathematicians, or they know that without the arts we will be mostly a country of cube-farm residents. My guess is on the latter.

I'm not sure how to fight the "taking tests skill" being taught, other than to vote out the administrators and politicians that support it, and replace with those willing to implement the educational model of the Fins. Everyone would benefit then, other than the corporations as they exist now.

[FLAprogressive]

70. And this is a country that is convinced that it doesn't emphasize those enough....

[Bill McBlueState]

79. science and math are part of the liberal arts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts

Note the appearance of geometry, arithmetic, and astronomy in the traditional listing!

We need citizens with strong foundations in *all* the liberal arts.

[kentauros]

80. While that's the "dictionary definition"

all too often science and math are separated from the rest, and held aloft as if "better" than everything else. At least, that's the perception politicians and school administrators push.

My point was always and entirely about the children getting a well-rounded education.

[Shagbark Hickory]

47. Me too. I took college algebra like 6 times before I finally said fuckit.

[LanternWaste]

83. No. Just typical, really

"does that make me dumb?"

No. Just very, very typical, really.

Many students erect a personalized rationalization that some academic disciplines are just "too darn hard", thereby allowing them to justify poor results which ads another self-made obstacle in studying that subject. A very difficult loop to remove oneself from; but it is far more often than not, our choice as to which disciplines we excel at, and which disciplines we retreat from and allow to overwhelm us.

[krispos42]

3. I'm allergic to calculus.

So what does that make me?

[Modern_Matthew]

4. Wake me up when they are forced to wear these at gunpoint. nt

[seabeyond]

14. really, it is better all around for some to just stay asleep. nt

[demmiblue]

17. Lol... you said it! n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. It's already pulled.

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http://www.forever21.com/error/baditem.asp

In their defense they also sell one that says "Smart Alec" with an image of an apple wearing glasses.

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=whatsnew_app_tops&product_id=2000028556&Page=all&pgcount=100

[Recovered Repug]

6. Years ago my female math teacher

had a coffee cup with a similar saying. Far too many humor impaired people in the world.

[renate]

90. much ado about nothing

If we saw this in the boys' department at American Eagle or Old Navy, nobody would bat an eye, and rightly so, because it's just a t-shirt with a slightly snarky slogan. I realize that those who made a fuss about it meant well, though.

I think it's extra cute that it was your *math* teacher who had a coffee cup saying something similar. :)

[socialshockwave]

7. I don't see a problem with this shirt.

It's just a shirt with a stupid slogan.

[pintobean]

8. I just told my daughter about this

She loves that store and thought the shirt was funny.

btw - she's a very bright person.

[devilgrrl]

9. I'm Allergic to clothing that promotes the virtues of being stupid.

eom

[seabeyond]

15. truly, there is so much out there for boys to be stupid, too. my kids hate them

their grandma would buy them for the boys "all i want to do is play video" and the kids would not wear them. they wont have anything tht is mean, or stupid, or sarcastic. it made it hard to find tshirts that werent offensive in some way....

[devilgrrl]

16. Your kids are smart - how about t-shirts with nice art?

There's a lot of tasteful work out there.

http://dzineblog.com/2011/01/68-best-tshirt-illustration-design-inspiration.html

[Odin2005]

62. Girls can be "nerdy" and still be "cool". Us guys were not so lucky.

[seabeyond]

68. yes. it really was a big issue for my oldest in middleschool

we battled it a lot. it was also during bushco, macho repug time. he had to decide that he liked who he was and fuck 'em.... it serves him well to be educated, and they can drop out. he has excelled at a sport and started receiving college requests his sophmore year, so he really has put all that behind him in high school.

my youngest is so mellow and gets along with everyone, he has not had the issue.

but i hear ya

[Posteritatis]

39. Yep. (nt)

[LibertyLover]

10. While I would not buy this shirt for my daughter, nor wear it myself -

I have to confess that I'm with the great Jimmy Buffet when it comes to math; to whit - "Math Sucks!".

[whistler162]

11. Whould have been funny if it was Allergic 10= Algebra

instead

[dmallind]

12. Perhaps they can wear the "awaiting instructions" one instead. nt

[seabeyond]

13. yes girls... stay stupid so only worth is humpin poles....

i am just getting pissed about this garbage

[spin]

19. I know some girls who made a lot of money "humpin poles" ...

I don't consider them stupid, but I do consider the men who ogle them and give them money stupid.

As the old saying goes, "A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted."

[Scout]

26. woo hoo!! they made a lot of money taking advantage of the stupid and weak!

way to go!! what a wonderful career choice they made! cuz we all know, it's a-ok if you make enough money at it.

[LeftyMom]

23. I know a few women who do that for a living. Their communication skills surpass yours.

People who live in glass houses should probably set the rocks down. Just sayin'.

PS Judging other women for their career choices means you fail feminism forever.

[Scout]

25. yes, all good feminists MUST support the choices of other women, even when those

choices are, well, short-sighted? selfish? harmful to other women?

yup, that's what makes a good feminist allrighty.

[LeftyMom]

30. Hint: when you sound like a Feminist for Life talking about abortion, you're probably wrong.

Your attitude sounds mighty, dare I say it, paternalistic toward other women who make choices that displease you.

[Scout]

35. and your sounds condescending to me, whose opinion displeases you.

feminist for life, me, that's a big fucking laugh.

so tell me then, you DO support people taking advantage of/making lots of money off of, the stupid and the weak? (someone else's words about them men who pay lots of money to pole humpers)

tell me oh arbiter of other people's feminism, must i support prostitution because some other women choose it?

[readmoreoften]

41. So "fuck the women"--you're concerned about the "poor, vulnerable" men?

Anti-sex worker and sympathetic to the poor, vulnerable john? What kind of feminist are you exactly?

:crazy:

[Scout]

77. LOL! where did i say anything like you've posted! n/t

[LeftyMom]

44. First of all, I'm not sure I agree with the premise.

Actually, let me back up: I think first of all we're going to have to work on language. "Pole humpers" is not acceptable.

Okay, where was I? I don't think I agree with the premise that strippers/exotic dancers/whatever are taking advantage of the stupid or the weak. For the most part it seems to me that men go to strip clubs because they want a place to look at naked women and drink without having sex with the aforementioned naked women. They pay to see women undress, the women who undress get money. That's a consensual business transaction with no harm done to any party involved. It's certainly much less exploitative than say, mortgage lending. I don't recall any posts from you denigrating women as 'housing humpers' "making lots of money off of the stupid and the weak" so I have to come to the conclusion that your sudden Puritan streak has to do with some unaddressed issues about sex.

As for whether you should support prostitution or not, because some people (note: not just women, much like dancing naked for money) pursue it? You don't need to support sex workers any more or less than you do roofers or vending machine repair people or antique bookbinders. It's a job. Some people choose to do it. Beyond that, it's really none of your business.

[seabeyond]

56. what a hoot. you are upset with humpin a pole? how ironic, contradictive and all around funny

ya, they are humpin a pole. now, if you have no issue with the girls making this choice, then you should also have no issue with their choice to hump a pole. and if you feel that is unacceptable, degrading, crude or vulgar, then you should address all the number of much more crude, vulgar and degrading, demeaning comments said to these women from the men, that are just in there for a beer, and to see some naked girls.

nothing like "pretty woman'in" this job.

i would say you are doing the pearl clutchin, showing your puritan streak.

" It's certainly much less exploitative than say, mortgage lending."
" It's a job. Some people choose to do it. Beyond that, it's really none of your business."

and the hypocrisy.

[LeftyMom]

59. What? Speak English. nt

[LeftyMom]

45. Dupe. Sorry, wifi is a bit dodgy today. nt

[Odin2005]

65. +1,000,000,000,000,000,000

The paternalistic attitudes of people that claim to be Feminists DO NOT HELP WOMEN. They perpetuate the notion that women are the "weaker sex" and need to be protected. Seriously, you ladies are the ones who have to give birth, and that ain't "weak" to me, LOL!

:)

[seabeyond]

67. epidural.

piece of cake. i LOVED my nurse bob.

[readmoreoften]

40. Ooo. Another upper-class phony "feminist" against sex workers.

Glad to know you're fighting the real enemy: other women. :sarcasm:

Nope the "real enemy" isn't poverty, pink collar wages, pimps, airbrushing, rapists, glass ceilings, boy's clubs, violence against lesbians or anything of the sort. The problem is, of course, other women's behavior and job choices. Yeah you're a "feminist" all right. Have a problem with sex workers? What about cocktail waitresses, models and actresses, or women who work in advertising?

Next up: Black people's problems attributable to rappers and young men who wear baggy pants.

And then at 6: Are the drag queens in pride parades holding back the gay community? And are they an insult to women everywhere? More news and views at 11.

:eyes:

[Scout]

78. LOL! upper class, yeah, that's a real fuckin' hoot...

the rest of your post is just garbage.

you the arbiter of what makes a feminist now, are you? :rofl:

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seabeyond]

21. bah hahaha

that would be the old man from tx...? lol lol

radical feminist?

[socialshockwave]

22. It seems I can't go a day without reading some form of sexist comment.

about how all men are evil, about how we're biologically inferior to women, and even some going as far as to say we should all be subordinate to women because they're so much "better".

It gets on my damned nerves. I'm sure I'll be hailed as an agent for the patriarchy but if I was I'd not be living in a shitty apartment.

[Scout]

28. got any links for those comments? do you alert on sexist comments you see?

or you just whine about them later?

[seabeyond]

29. bullshit.... and again

you might want to take note, this oh so offensive comment was not made by a radical feminist....

that you are so weary of

[demmiblue]

31. Get over yourself.

Perhaps you want to bring up the fact that you are "not a Muslim fan" in order to appease us patriarchy-hating feminazis!

Yes the quote is from you.

[Bucky]

34. A woman would be able to put up with it. You're just not biologically equipt to handle criticism

I don't know if that makes you "inferior" but most women do seem to be able to handle it better than you.

[socialshockwave]

52. I can handle criticism very well.

But having the same thing hurled at you day in and day out does get annoying.

[readmoreoften]

42. Yes, working class men are suffering because they haven't been in solidarity with women.

The pay gap is only closing because men's wages are going down to women's wages. The capitalist class has effectively used sexism and phony feminism to fire well-paid men and replace them with equally well-trained and capable women at 2/3 of the cost. If you stood in solidarity with women and fought for all wages to be raised, then all workers would be doing better and you might not be living in a shitty apartment.

But you continue to blame women for your problems and do the rich's dirty work for them.

[socialshockwave]

51. Oh yes, I'm blaming women.

I don't even know what you're accusing me of.

I do support wage equality.

And I don't really do the "rich"'s dirty work for them. I just look out for my family, which is primarily women.

But hey; I guess I'm a tool of the rich! Let's see: Koch informant, paid sympathizer, agent of the patriarchy - i'm raking up QUITE an impressive accusation list for doing nothing wrong.

[seabeyond]

54. doing nothing? you are the one that attacked "radical feminists".

i dont believe anyone brought it up, twisted your arm, put words in your mouth.

personal responsibility? for your post.

you attacked a man, accusing radical feminists. brilliant.

[socialshockwave]

58. Do you not deny

That there are feminists out there on the extreme end of feminism?

These ones do nothing but blame every man for wronging them. As if I, as a man, who has never done anything to hurt a woman, has harmed her, or abused her, or mistreated her, for simply having a penis.

[seabeyond]

61. are there bad women out there in the world? you got it. you attacked a man on this thread on du

for being a radical feminist.... and all the other radical feminists on this thread.

wtf does that have to do with all the mean, bad women in the world you are so angry at.

are we going to discuss all the abusive, hatefilled men out there in the world who blame every social ill on the feminists?

[socialshockwave]

63. We can if we want.

I dislike those just as much as like the abusive, hatefilled women.

[seabeyond]

64. i am not into either, myself, but again

i dont see what that has to do with du or this thread.

[rug]

24. xx > xy

[kentauros]

38. Add N To (X)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNu4TZIkls

[Upton]

27. Is somebody forcing young women to buy and wear these shirts?

If not, I don't see a problem. Last I checked there was at least some freedom of choice left in this country. Sometimes this PC BS gets to be a bit much..

[readmoreoften]

43. So if there's a shirt that says "Women are dumb", the only problem is if someone buys it?

What about all the young men and women who see it in the stores? What about "Black people can't do math"...? Is that only dangerous if people buy it? If its in the stores, it's okay.

Sometimes the sexist shit gets to be a bit much. When there are "math is hard" shirts for men, I'll stop worrying.

[Upton]

49. The shirts are dangerous? LOL

So, let me get this straight. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your position...are you advocating that others shouldn't be allowed to buy T-shirts such as these because you don't approve of what they say on the front?

[Xithras]

53. Since you asked...

"When there are 'math is hard' shirts for men, I'll stop worrying."

Here ya go:
http://www.zazzle.com/math_not_even_going_to_try_tshirt-235359777043707391

Anti-education memes aren't confined to one gender. There is a lot of anti-intellectual pressure among youth of both sexes nowadays.

My daughter, fwiw, has a hoodie with this on the chest:

She constantly complains about how so few of her friends "get" it.

[EFerrari]

84. You don't have to buy the shirt to be influenced by the image.

And yeah, that PC BS about supporting young women's developing sense of self is a huge pain the in ass. Why don't they just close their eyes and think of England?

[B2G]

33. My favorite

[Manifestor_of_Light]

46. Sexist Baby Clothes, circa 1986.

They had little jogging suits.

The pink one said "FUTURE CHEERLEADER".

The blue one said "LITTLE GENIUS".


I had a girl. Guess which one I bought????

[m1049]

55. Remember this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys_are_stupid,_throw_rocks_at_them!_controversy

[seabeyond]

57. girls rule, boys drool

yes. i remember both of them. i have boys. came out while they were in elementary. we had a discussion on it.

[Odin2005]

60. Jesus, it's the attack of the idiotic sexist stereotypes.

I can't believe people still believe that crap. :banghead:

I'm a guy and I know lots of women who are better at algebra than I am (and I'm pretty good at algebra, so that's saying something).

[seabeyond]

66. to son... ask jackie to tutor you, or sarah, or haley,.... lol

he is in physics and precal. a genius with verbal, history, english, biology.... but numbers. they are hard for him.

he really dont see it as a slight, just an opportunity to raise his grade.

[amborin]

72. they completely disregard copyright and intellectual property laws

almost as much as China

[Ter]

81. Stupid PC Bullshit

It's a shirt, it's not offending anyone. It's cute.

[EFerrari]

82. Yeah, if you think stupid is cute. I guess some people do.

[Ter]

88. I would be in total agreement with you...

If the shirt's message were anti-black, anti-white, anti-gay, anti-union, or anti-disabled. But it's anti-math. Kids are supposed to hate math, it's a normal thing. Hating math and school didn't just start recently. I'm sure it's been going on for centuries.

[EFerrari]

85. "Forever 21" is already an insult to women.

The store is exactly what you'd expect. Clothes are window dressing for T&A, badly made and targeting teen girls.

[RebelOne]

86. I never could understand algebra in high school.

I do not know now how I passed it with a C grade.

[EFerrari]

87. I lucked out and on returning to school in my 20s

was team taught Algebra by two great teachers. I had no hope for myself going in and was amazed that I not only got it but loved it. It was like finding out you love canned spinach. lol

[Gabi Hayes]

89. A few years ago a girl at the junior I in which I worked wore this top to school: