RUSH: Folks, I’m gonna turn the Dittocam off ’cause I gotta zoom in here on something that I want to show you. I just became made aware of this. It’s two stories, USA Today and the UK Daily Mail. Let me tighten up the zoom here on the Dittocam, pull this up. Okay. Cool, take a look at this. I’m sorry for those of you not watching on the Dittocam, it’s a new pair of sneakers from Adidas. They have shackles on them, ankle shackles that look like chain link. They’re not chains but they of course look like it. They link their high-top sneakers and the orange shackles link to the top of the tennis shoes. They are due out this August from Adidas.
Turn the Dittocam on. (interruption) Is that your reaction? Is that what you call ’em? Is that really what you call ’em? They are called the Adidas JS Roundhouse Mids. Now, it’s interesting. Snerdley said that they are slave shoes. USA Today: “New Adidas ‘Shackle’ Sneakers Ripped as Symbolizing Slavery — Can sneakers really be controversial? Yes, when it come to new Adidas sneakers with plastic ankle shackles. The new Adidas JS Roundhouse Mids, debuting in August, are already drawing criticism online as being shoes with overtones of slavery.”
And, lo and behold, the UK Daily Mail: “‘How would a Jewish person feel if you put a swastika on a shoe?’ Adidas under fire for unveiling new trainer with orange ‘shackles’ like those worn by black slaves. Adidas has sparked outrage and been accused of ‘promoting slavery’ by creating a new pair of trainers which have bright orange ‘shackles’ that fit around the wearer’s ankles. The clothing giant is under fire for its August scheduled release of the JS Roundhouse Mids, which many have compared to the devices worn by black slaves in 19th Century America.”
The way Adidas is promoting these shoes is for people who have “a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles,” so that people can’t steal them. That’s why they have the shackles on them. Well, okay. (interruption) If they’re training for ankle bracelets? Well, if they are, who are they working with? If the purpose of these shoes is to train people for ankle shackles later in life, who are they working with? It is kinda curious, I have to confess. I didn’t think slavery; I thought prison. Orange prison colors. I thought prisoners.
But Snerdley, who is African-American, pure, 100% slave blood African-American, who is our Official Obama Criticizer, by the way, I’m not gonna argue with you. If that’s your first reaction, then I have to acquiesce. I was gonna say, “Come on, give me a break. They’re prison shackles.” But if you show ’em to a black guy and they think slavery… And he had no idea it was coming, so I’ll defer. I’ll defer on this one to Mr. Snerdley with his 100% slave blood.
What do you bet these shoes never see the light of day? A couple or three pairs will end up on eBay. They’ll be collectors items. They’ll be sold. They’ll show up on a Hitler video or something like that. (laughing)