Here’s a wild story…hold on to your hats.
On Friday, the owner of Nashville hat emporium hatWRKS uploaded to Instagram a photo of herself wearing a yellow patch.
The adornment resembled the Star of David, and it sported the words “Not Vaccinated.”
She announced the patches were “great” and had a “strong adhesive back.”
Furthermore, similar hats would soon be produced.
As reported by WKRN, the entry was condemned as offensive by several users prior to being deleted.
Later, a new post to the account questioned why people were upset by the patch, but not outraged by the present “tyranny the world is experiencing.”
In a presumed reference to Nazi Germany, a later post noted that people are having to “show their papers” in order to return to the classroom, enter privately-owned businesses, or keep their jobs.
There was also mention of reliving history.
It was only a matter of time before associated entities spoke out.
These days, companies are ready to remark on controversies…at the drop of a hat.
Hence, Goorin Bros. — a top-notch hatmaker since 1895 — released the following:
“To be clear, we do not condone or agree with the views of this individual. We are investigating internally what actions can be taken and how quickly.”
To be clear, we do not condone or agree with the views of this individual. We are investigating internally what actions can be taken and how quickly.
— Goorin Bros. (@GoorinBros) May 29, 2021
Stetson stepped in, condemning “anti-Semitism”:
“We are aware of the situation in Nashville. We take this matter seriously and are investigating in order to take the necessary and appropriate next steps. Along with our distribution partners, Stetson condemns antisemitism and discrimination of any kind.”
A follow-up went farther:
“As a result of the offensive content and opinions shared by hatWRKS in Nashville, Stetson and our distribution partners will cease the sale of all Stetson products. We thank you for your continued support and patience.”
As a result of the offensive content and opinions shared by HatWRKS in Nashville, Stetson and our distribution partners will cease the sale of all Stetson products. We thank you for your continued support and patience.
— John B. Stetson (@StetsonUSA) May 29, 2021
Stetson wasn’t the only one to allege anti-Semitism.
Medium writer Don Lewis took the opportunity to battle “hate”:
1/2 Anti-Semitism. Hate. Ignorance. A shop hatWRKS in Nashville TN is selling Yellow "Not Vaccinated" Stars. Open and abhorrent mocking of Jews who were round up, separated from their families, carted off to concentrations camps and gassed to death. Many levels beyond disgusting. pic.twitter.com/WcUuuXdTdj
— Don Lewis (@DonLew87) May 28, 2021
Was the owner “mocking” Jews?
The situation brings to mind actress Gina Carano’s online assertion:
“Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors…even by children. Because history is edited, most people today don’t realize that to get to the point where Nazi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their own neighbors hate them simply for being Jews.
How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?”
She was, of course, subsequently fired from Disney+ hit The Mandalorian.
Nothing wrong with this. As I’ve been saying a lot lately, “Trope Antisemitism” is a villainous concept that is nearly always used against people who are actually not antisemitic and didn’t intend the offense. It’s “microagressions for Jews,” and it needs to stop. @ginacarano pic.twitter.com/kkVcDZ98ZK
— David Reaboi (@davereaboi) February 11, 2021
How dumb do you have to be to think that @ginacarano is antisemitic for posting this?#GinaCaranoIsAwesome pic.twitter.com/9HICZlauqf
— ⚔️ David J. West ⚔️ (@David_JWest) February 11, 2021
Back in Nashville, anti-Semitism or not, protestors surrounded hatWRKS Saturday.
Protest happening now outside of HatWRKS following controversial Instagram post that showed the shop’s owner wearing a yellow patch resembling the Star of David that read the words “not vaccinated”. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/vVhDqb6RvD
— Nikki McGee (@NikkiMcGeeWKRN) May 29, 2021
Outside the Nashville Nazi Lady’s store right now
📷’s by timeastonwriter(IG)
H/t @TheTNHoller pic.twitter.com/Vp7ixMIpaK— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) May 29, 2021
No Nazis in Nashville.
Protest down the street at Hatw*rks today. pic.twitter.com/AW9TO4iTed
— Mark McEntire’s Completed Manuscript (@MarkHMcEntire) May 29, 2021
Online response was a bit mixed.
One user wrote, “HATEwrks.”
Another offered, “Nazis yelling they don’t want Nazis.”
Will the store survive?
This week should bring more news.
As for those denouncing the use of Nazi analogies to comment upon social or political issues, they’ve got a heavy backlog waiting…
MSNBC Contributor…Spins Wild Conspiracy Theory Involving Trump and Hitler
In Light of Kavanaugh, MSNBC Guest Predicts a Possible ‘Thousand-Year Reich’
25% of Americans think Donald Trump is really President. 25% of Germans supported Adolph Hitler. Don’t think it can’t happen here. Fight to secure our Voting Rights. Fight to secure Democracy.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) May 25, 2021
Stay tuned.
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
‘Rugrats’ Reboot Sees Twin Toddlers Get a Single Lesbian Mom
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