I’ve got bones to pick with you, American Apparel. First of all, deep v-necks and sparse chest hair is a combination that I really could’ve done without, and it’s EVERYWHERE thanks to you and your dejected looking models. Why do only 3% of your models smile? The rest of them stand around looking at me like I just ashed a cigarette in their PBR.
And now, to make things worse, I just plain can’t trust you. A few years ago, I took a class in Organizational Public Relations. We had to present a company and explain the ways in which said company acts benevolently towards its community and employees. And I chose YOU, American Apparel, because I thought it commendable the way you push hard for immigration reform. I waxed poetic for a full twenty minutes about your fair wages and your parades and your advocacy campaigns.
Yesterday, you admitted that as many as 1,600 of the immigrants under your employ may not be legal. I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. And actually, I’m here to defend you because- to be honest- I really don’t mind if the people who work for you are legal or not. I like your stance on immigration reform. An aside– are there actually people out there who believe immigrants are guzzling up American jobs, or is that just some conspiracy cooked up by the writers of South Park? Honestly, if you want to sew together unitards all day long, fly out to LA and get an interview with American Apparel. No one is stopping you.
Anyway– so allegedly, 16% of AA’s 10,000 employees seem to not be authorized for employment in the United States. Yet, they’ve figured out a way to fake that they are– both by using made-up or borrowed social security numbers and carrying out other unreleased shenanigans.
So these people were unhappy with whichever country they hail from, found a way into America, and finagled their way into a factory job at an American corporation that pays $12/hour– without proper documentation. I don’t know what you call that, but on my block, we call that one smart cookie. These AA employees sound exactly like the hard-working, resilient, resourceful people that I think America needs more of! Sure, they broke the law, but who doesn’t break the law every once in awhile? If anything, breaking the law makes you even more American. Hooray for misdemeanors! (Interesting fact: the first time you sneak into America, it’s a misdemeanor. The second time, it’s a felony. Tread lightly).
I am all for every single one of these guys to become legal– so long as none of them DARE stitch together one more scrunchy. Can we agree on that? Didn’t Sex In The City already give us a little slap on the wrist re: scrunchies in 2003? They’re not alright, ironic or nay. If you culminate the scrunchy production, I will sign a petition or go to a rally or anything else you want me to do in support of your staying here in a beautiful, scrunchy-free America.
Oh and hey– if you’re ’that guy’ walking around with your unkempt chest hair assaulting innocent bystanders, no worries. AA has plenty of deep v-necks in stock just in case half of their staff gets deported.
The critique of hipsters can be deeper than what you’re doing. You’re basically just saying you don’t like their particular kind of fashion, that it’s already old, it’s tacky, etc. Is that really how superficial your critique is?
I’m glad you missed the entire point of the post– which was not to critique hipsters, but to show my support for a company that I believe is driven by an important ideal.
However, since you brought it up– hipsters bastardize pieces of different cultures and strip them of their significance by turning something important into a passing trend. Fashion is a part of that: for example, wearing the keffiyeh without regard for what it symbolizes for Palestinians. This has nothing to do with whether or not they enjoy wearing American Apparel, but it does have to do with a lack of respect for people who actually cultivate a culture as opposed to those who jump on a bandwagon with no rhyme or reason other than something is “underground” or “hip” for five minutes.
So, thanks for your input, but I’m not the superficial one here.
Yes I see you’re from New York and you say whatever the fuck you want, being at the center of civilization and what not. But don’t say that wasn’t important because it was indeed the first and last thing you mentioned in the post. Your ugly New York ass will support any company that exploits labor just as much as the next guy. You support workers by supporting the companies they work for. Sure brother, let’s show some solidarity with labor by supporting their management!
Oh, I’m sorry… maybe you’d like to point out where the word ‘hipster’ was mentioned anywhere in the post. I tagged it as such for what I think are obvious reasons– and I am now regretting that, as this is clearly how a self-important asshole such as yourself made your way over here. I’m assuming, oh defensive one, that you must be a hipster, as you are displaying one of their key trademarks: managing to make everything about yourself. I don’t know why you’re on a witch hunt– there is nothing wrong with supporting a company that provides safe work conditions, reasonable hours, and fair wages for their factory workers. This was clearly not your issue the first time you commented.
In conclusion, you’re right– I am from New York, and I will say whatever the fuck I want: so fuck you, and thanks for the pageviews.
Any one who supports illegal immigrants working in the united states or makes reference to Muslim head gear. IS A TERRORIST PLAN AND SIMPLE!!!
Well, call me Cat Stevens
The age-old pesky U.S.-Mexico border problem has taxed the resources of both countries, led to long lists of injustices, and appears to be heading only for worse troubles in the future. Guess what? The border problem can never be solved. Why? Because the border IS the problem! It’s time for a paradigm change.
Never fear, a satisfying, comprehensive solution is within reach: the Megamerge Dissolution Solution. Simply dissolve the border along with the failed Mexican government, and megamerge the two countries under U.S. law, with mass free 2-way migration eventually equalizing the development and opportunities permanently, with justice and without racism, and without threatening U.S. sovereignty or basic principles.
Click the url and read about the new paradigm for U.S.-Mexico relations.