Amazon shoppers are considering retracting their patronage from the mass retailer after learning the website sold products containing messages which condoned slavery.
One of the site’s third-party sellers StyleArt sold shirts, mugs baby bibs, tote bags through Amazon which bore the words: “slavery gets s**t done.” The apparel and accessories were modeled by children and toddlers.
Upon discovery of the offensive material, the company faced swift backlash on Monday and removed the items from the website.
Absolutely shocking t-shirts! – "Amazon under fire for selling 'Slavery makes sh*t happen' t-shirts for kids". Come on @amazon, you should do better to control what you sell
https://t.co/BkJc8fNdFG— Anti-Slavery International (@Anti_Slavery) January 22, 2018
.@amazon how lovely is this? A little white boy with a highly insensitive and ignorant ‘Slavery Gets Shit Done’ bib on. Hmm.. did they pick the cotton right amazon? Or no? Gotta love 2018, what a great start. #Amazon #BOYCOTTAMAZON pic.twitter.com/DKKLFH4JKJ
— oru | majestic (@0rumara) January 19, 2018
Amazon released a statement in response to the mishap.
“All Marketplace sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who don’t will be subject to action including potential removal of their account,” an Amazon UK representative told Global Citizen. “The products in question are no longer available.”
Just two weeks ago, popular retailer H&M faced severe backlash when they featured a Black model sporting a hoodie which read “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle.”
Looks like Amazon chose not to learn vicariously from the controversy.