- American Eagle was selling a men's "metal cuff" bracelet that people think looked like "slave shackles."
- People were outraged over the piece of jewelry and vented their frustration on Twitter.
- American Eagle apologized and claims to have removed the items from its stores and websites.
- "We've heard and understand the concerns about the bracelet. We apologize and have removed the product from our stores and website," the brand said in a statement to INSIDER.
- However, at least one person has recently seen the bracelet in an American Eagle store.
Last week, people were outraged when they discovered that American Eagle was selling a men's "metal cuff" bracelet that they thought looked like "slave shackles."
People first shared images of the product on Twitter on December 11.
Dear @AEO,
— 🌻 (@LafayeGallagher) December 12, 2017
I’m not sure this is the kind of bracelet you want to be selling. All it’s missing is a chain. pic.twitter.com/lKilkKK46Z
Y’all selling shackles now? @AEO WYD? pic.twitter.com/gDQ1BLsgfX
— Spottieottiefupaliscious Angel (@CamDeezi) December 12, 2017
@american_eagle I saw this "bracelet" in and think you need to revisit this. I would never wear this due to the obvious slavery connection. I hope you do the right thing and remove this from your stores. Please retweet your support. #SlavesNoMorepic.twitter.com/aShkem9szx
— Ronald E. Frazier II (@Ron_II) December 11, 2017
@AEO
— L (@XPurplePassionX) December 12, 2017
I guess slave shackles are trendy now😡😡 pic.twitter.com/xpJlsianEK
Dear @aeo, Slave shackles weren't cool then, and they're not cool now. Time for your accessories buyers to wake up. pic.twitter.com/QAo20SPSuz
— Dana Ortegón (@xacerb8) December 12, 2017
American Eagle apologized for the product on Twitter and in a statement to INSIDER. "We've heard and understand the concerns about the bracelet. We apologize and have removed the product from our stores and website," a representative for the retailer said.
We’ve heard and understand the concerns about the bracelet. We apologize and will remove the product from our stores and website.
— American Eagle (@AEO) December 12, 2017
Many people are skeptical of the retailer's initial apology and called on it to reflect on the situation.
@AEO hire people of color to leadership, product design, buying, marketing, and ecommerce teams then we can hear a “sorry”
— Allison ✌🏼 (@allisonhopstad) December 12, 2017
I’m not sure this is a ‘we got caught and are sorry’ moment. Who designed it? Who gave this the ok? Nobody thought it was a bad idea? It shouldn’t be the job of offended customers in stores to be checking your products?
— Michael (@MichaelHBF) December 12, 2017
FYI though they’re not “concerns” they’re facts. Whoever thought of the concept for the bracelet and whoever said it’s ok to distribute it needs reprimanding.
— Ti (@tiAna_laChae) December 12, 2017
One person was more optimistic that the retailer will do better in the future.
That's great news. Being open to criticism and acting on it is commendable! Hopefully this will lead to changes within your organization that will prevent similar incidents in the future.
— Dana Ortegón (@xacerb8) December 13, 2017
While it seems that the bracelet is no longer for sale online, some people say they have spotted the bracelets in stores.
On Monday, Twitter user Donna L. Johnson claimed that she found the item in an American Eagle outlet store in Fort Worth, Texas.
@AEO look what I found at the American Eagle outlet in Fort Worth Tanger Outlet store and the fact that the Manager was clueless, and when the associate asked her why it was pulled she said ,"Shhhh we'll discuss it later", as if it was a dirty lol secret... pic.twitter.com/I2jsXxTdyr
— Donna L. Johnson (@silentchild1973) December 19, 2017
When asked about Johnson's claims, the retailer said the following in a statement to INSIDER: "It has been communicated to stores and we will follow up with the store mentioned in the tweet to ensure that the item is removed."
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