Forget the Air Yeezy II. The sneaker name on everybody’s lips this morning is Adidas’ Jeremy Scott x adidas Roundhouse Mid “Handcuffs”, or the “shackle” sneaker.
Posted by Adidas Originals on its Facebook page, the Jeremy Scott x adidas Roundhouse Mid “Handcuffs” are an updated version of Adidas’ classic Roundhouse, a high-top lace-up with a Velcro strap across the middle. But for his latest collaboration with the athletic label, designed Jeremy Scott has added a plastic handcuff (or shackle, if you will) to each ankle, attached by chains.
Adidas Originals is promoting the $350 kicks, which won’t hit stores until August 12th, with clever “locked up” puns:
Tighten up your style with the JS Roundhouse Mids, dropping in August.Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?
The shoes have gotten only moderate press since they emerged this winter. But since Adidas Originals posted a preview pic on Facebook last week, fans in the blogosphere have voiced their strong reactions with over 2,000 comments.
Most take issue with the ankle shackle, interpreting it as a historical symbol of African slavery. “Racist a bit, no?” asked one commenter. “Please African Americans don’t line up for these, Where does the Respect Begin and End for our people. Boycott Please!” another one stated. One commenter wrote, “Please tell me this is FAKE. I am not hearing these Adidas Amistad Originals,” ostensibly referencing the famous African slave ship that was the site of a slave revolt in 1839.
Some fans, of course, are clearly less perturbed. One Facebook commenter reflected a general feeling of apathy with the statement,”not every thing with a chain is related to slavery people…..”
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article courtesy of TheHuffingtonPost.com
