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Outrage as Nike issue 'Black and Tan' sneaker line for St. Patrick’s Day

'It is like issuing an al-Qaeda sneaker for Americans,' says Irish American leader

JAMES O'SHEA,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, March 25, 2012, 9:43 AM

Updated Sunday, March 25, 2012, 9:43 AM

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83 Comments

Nike's new sneaker, 'The Black and Tan'

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day footwear giant Nike have launched a sneaker called, incredibly, 'The Black and Tan.'

It appears the company was totally unaware of the implications of the name for millions of Irish who connect it to the notorious paramilitary force that terrorized Ireland during the War of Independence.

It would be the American equivalent of calling a sneaker 'the al-Qaeda' said one leading Irish American.

Ciaran Staunton, President of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, stated that the Nike move left him speechless.

“Is there no one at Nike able to google Black and Tan,” he asked disbelievingly.

The Irish Times first revealed the Nike screw up in an article in their Saturday edition.

They likened it to the Ben and Jerry fiasco when the ice cream company were forced to apologize and withdraw a ‘Black and Tan’ ice cream some years ago.

Kicksonfire.com a major online sneaker retailer lauded the Black and Tan line on their website saying, "Beer drinkers can rejoice soon as their favorite pastime is slated to have an official piece of footwear endorsed by Nike SB.

“The Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Black & Tan’ is set to hit shelves in roughly 10 days and if the last photo set we showed you wasn’t enough these should definitely hit the spot.

“The leather trimmed sneakers feature a gradient suede portion that goes from black to tan and is highlighted by a creamy swoosh. The insoles also give a shout to the stout by featuring an image of a pint glass. These may ultimately be pretty hard to find as they are a quick strike release but don’t let them pass without a fight.”

The 'Black and Tan' retails at about $90.

Six years ago Ben and Jerry's issued an abject apology after a similar gaffe.

“Any reference on our part to the British army unit was absolutely unintentional and no ill-will was ever intended. Ben Jerry’s was built on the philosophies of peace and love,” said a spokesman at the time.

The orders the Black and Tans had in Ireland are best summed up by one of their commanders, speaking in June 1920:

"If a police barracks is burned or if the barracks already occupied is not suitable, then the best house in the locality is to be commandeered, the occupants thrown into the gutter. Let them die there – the more the merrier.

"Should the order ("Hands Up") not be immediately obeyed, shoot and shoot with effect. If the persons approaching (a patrol) carry their hands in their pockets, or are in any way suspicious-looking, shoot them down. You may make mistakes occasionally and innocent persons may be shot, but that cannot be helped, and you are bound to get the right parties some time. The more you shoot, the better I will like you, and I assure you no policeman will get into trouble for shooting any man."
-Lt. Col. Smyth, June 1920

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83 Comments

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Ren0o | Apr 09, 2012, 11:08 PM EDT

Look your the one making up stuff, you know one line from a song and suddenly your an expert on its origins. so go do your study and you will see that is not an IRA song. I speak Irish, I know what it means. You clearly don't. what you have up there is a breakaway group, no relation, they stole the name and I never said the Irish invented rugby but it is very close to what our ancestos played, long long before web ellis, that's a fact. and again why its so popular in celtic nations, Ireland, wales, scotland, france. Almost everybody in new world country's are emigrants, could say the same thing to any european country, land swaps hands thousands of time, I think the Prodestants should be here and they've made great contributions to Irish society from WB.Yates to Arthur Guinness and the biggest irony of all, the founder and father of Irish republicanism "Wolfe Tone", rebellion leaders such as Robert Emmet, their the original republicans, the British themselves see all Northern Irish people as "Irish" and throughout the years polls have shown majority support for being rid of it once and for all but just chewing fat really. Doubt it will ever happen, too many crakcpots like you, polarised to a certain view and unable to see the bigger picture. As for the song, they play the Irish national anthem at Irish rugby games, in the irish capital, so what, big deal. If Belfast was the largest city on the island, and all the players and good rugby came from Ulster and 85% of the islands population was unionists (me being in the minority) and they player orange sash or whatever your song along side the real and official rugby anthem that represents both community's, well honestly I wouldn't give a damn. Get over it! it just so happens to be the opposite way around but who cares, if would stop you guys whinging then they probably should change it, but it would be something new a week later im sure, your obviously just racist, no point saying anymore.

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allan07 | Apr 05, 2012, 03:30 PM EDT

@Ren0o Rugby was invented in Rugby England by Webb-Ellis hence the name of Rugby World cup. I think your trying to change the facts and the events of history in the process. Alot of nationalist do that. They quote that the protestants shouldnt be in Ireland so why are you in New Zealand? Should there be any Irish in America as its been the land of the Native Red Indians for 10,000 years. So in effect the Irish have stolen their land. They have done to the Native Reds Indians which they claim was done to them by the British. The Irish speak with fork tongue as the Native Red Indians would say. Then theres Glasgow a lot of Irish there stealing the land and jobs from the Scottish, then theres Liverpool, Manchester and London. Lots of Irish there stealing the land and jobs of the English. I am afraid your wrong "the soldiers song" is a IRA song. "Soldiers are we born to be free". It is unacceptable to say that it doesnt matter. It truly does. Its a disgrace to say so. So when players from Northern Ireland are in the Ireland team do you think it acceptable to play it. NO it is not. Lets play in Belfast and play the sash or even a UDA/UVF song and lets see if the free staters will be happy. I bet you they would not. The Catholic Church invented Gaelic sports but the truth is no-one else in the world would play them. They have no interest or value and therefore a waste of time and energy. Thats why the Irish play British sports like Cricket, Rugby and Football.

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Ren0o | Apr 05, 2012, 09:42 AM EDT

well allan thats just childish, no point responding to most of it but I will say "amhrainn na bhfiann" is not an IRA song, no point going into specifics but its nothing got to do with the IRA and a lot of what they did up North was evil, we'd be the first to admit that, they have no support from us, but it takes two to tango and everybody has blood on their hands, no doubt about that, as for rugby, the England game was just a bad day, that's sports, they've been smashing England nonstop in recent years, its an International sport and historians reckon rugby was much closer to the sports the ancient celts in Ireland played more so than gaelic football or hurling ever were, believe it or not, which would explain its popularity in the Celtic nations, Leinster and Munster are European and therefore Northern Hemisphere club champions four out of the last six years, Their up there with the best in the world, most experts agree, I live in New Zealand and even the Kiwi's respect Munster rugby and think their the only formidable club side in all the Northern Hemisphere, Ulster won one heineken cup 13 years ago, their useless now but your right about one thing, they will come round and I really hope they do and wish them the best, as fan of Irish rugby, Its good for all of us, be nice :)

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gallchobhair | Apr 01, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT

Hey, I got a really great idea for Nike's next release; they can time it for the Jewish holidays next September: The Gestapo line of fire-proof sneakers...it will fit right in with the "Black and Tan" line on St. Paddy's Day

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allan07 | Mar 21, 2012, 04:40 PM EDT

Ren0o - Ulster Rugby is hopeless you say. England 30 Ireland 9 in the Rugby at the weekend. Whos crowing now? I think you mean Irish Rugby is hopeless. We in Northern Ireland should have our own Rugby team just like the Footy. Leinster and Munster Rugby were hopeless last weekend and an embrassment to Northern Ireland. Of course its easy to forget that the Ulster Rugby team won the European title a few year ago. Everything goes in circles and we will be back. In any event I think Leinster and Munster should stick to the GAA sports as why do they want to play a FOREIGN sport? A sport invented by the British. Seems a sad thing to do after inventing GAA sports. Where is the logic in saying that the soldiers song is only played a 1/3 of the time. Well thats alright then. NO its not. If you insult someone 33.3% of the time it doesnt make it right. Go on try it. Insult your next door neighbour every 1/3 day and see if he will be on speaking terms after a few months. I very much doubt it. The Republic of Irelands National Anthem is a terrorist song and offensive to the Protestant community in Northern or Southern Ireland. Simples to anyone with a titter of common sense.

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allan07 | Mar 16, 2012, 04:11 PM EDT

I have just written 2 comments neither of which will probably get posted. Irish Central are experts at removing everything which disputes their own bigotary and republician views. I ask the question how many reporters or members of staff whom work for Irish Central are from the protestant community and from Northern Ireland. I bet you None or even Zip. Irish Central = Bigotary and propaganda.

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allan07 | Mar 16, 2012, 04:04 PM EDT

I know a lot of so called religious people who leave Roman Catholic mass after been forgiven for their sins who go to the pub afterwards. They get full then go home to the wife. If dinner isnt ready and on the table the wife gets 10 bells of S**t kicked out of her. Good Irish Catholic values. Full of double standards and wrongdoing. Hardly the behaviour of saints or scholars. Fools and idiots more like.

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allan07 | Mar 16, 2012, 04:00 PM EDT

Yertfac - Oh what misguided view you have of life. The Irish National Anthem is a terrorist song. An IRA song is a terrorist song. To not accept that is like saying an al-Qaeda song is not offensive to New Yorkers at ground zero. After all the splinter group who planted a bomb in my home town Omagh in 1998 were supporters of terror. Do you call that freedom. No they were murderers. Indeed they left blood everywhere. Perhaps this is the trial of blood you refer to but i doubt it. The Irish are the biggest stealers of assets everywhere they go. They think they are great but they are fools. They stole the land from the Native North Amercian Indians whilst claiming that the British stole their land. So its ok for them to go to US and steal the assets of the people whom have lived there for 10,000 year. I dont think so. If Ireland was was good why is it broke? The British had to bale your failed state out recently. So you shouldnt bite of the hand that feeds you. As for Nike trainers I think they should make a variety of different colours. Orange ones for the Unionist community, Forty shades of Green for the Nationalist, Dark Green/Fenian Green for the Deep Nationalists and Republians, Mainly Black ones white tops to look like nuns for the catholic religious people, Mainly white ones with a black top to look like Dog Collars for the religious protestant people. Everyone catered for? Problem solved.

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shredder | Mar 15, 2012, 06:01 PM EDT

Why are we becoming so damned thin skinned about the name of a pair of shoes? We all get what the Black and Tan's were. The shoes have nothing to do with them. We don't have to follow the the feined sufferings of black and hispanic minorities in the U.S. Where is your pride? You're bigger than that. You've overcome, adapted. Now move on. Anyone who looks at the shoes and hear 'Black and Tan' immediately see black and tan shoes. Except me...I thought of the Black and Tan 'Coon Hound...but that's me. Please don't become one of the self serving, pity thyself, minorities that we have to deal with on an everyday basis. Show some self respect!

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cattcru | Mar 15, 2012, 04:51 PM EDT

My father was Italian, my Mom Irish. I am an American who is proud of all my heritage. I apologize for my ignorance concerning the evil that was the Black and Tan. Nevertheless, I'd like to know if anyone has gone after the ice cream parlors that regularly offer black and tan ice cream sundaes. Countless people have already spent countless hours pounding on this. Time to move on.

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hillb2 | Mar 14, 2012, 10:05 PM EDT

This irks me to no end. Since when was ignorance of the history of a people acceptable as an excuse? I think we Americans have let negative commentary about the Irish ride for far too long. I am A. not an alcoholic B. not currently drunk. C. not a bomb weilding maniac D. beaten by my spouse or E. planning on having even 1 child nevermind 8 of them. I can have some good hearted laughter at my stereotype but it has gotten out of control here in the states. I don't do it to others and I would appreciate it not constantly being done to me right around the 17th of March every stinkin' year.

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leota | Mar 14, 2012, 03:04 PM EDT

I have been wondering for years why the hell we (at least in U.S.) have a drink commemorating this evil group! I agree with one comment comparing it to naming a drink after the KKK. How would this go down? I say call attention to who the Black & Tans were every time someone orders one (ironically - these people often seem to think it is a very "Irish" thing to drinkN - I do my best -even though I get some disgusted looks. Needs to be done!

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Yerffac | Mar 14, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT

Who are your people? What is wrong with you? The Black and Tans were let out of Britain's prisons as one last gasp to grind the Irish into the ground. You are stupid and ignorant. So is Nike. The black & tans terrorized the ordinary people of Ireland. They roamed the countryside like maurdering wild dogs. My grandmother told me a gang of them came by her house after she had baked the family bread for the week (no Wonder Bread in those daya) and as was common put it out on the window sill to cool. A gang of b&Ts came around and just took her bread, and laughed right in front of her. When another woman down the road protested their stealing her food, they came back the next day, dragged out her husband and beat him nearly to death. Lovely people they were. As for the national anthem it is not a "Terrorist" song. "Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland..." It is a freedom song from the worst terrorists in the world, the Brits. They left a trail of blood everywhere they occupied. Glad their damn empire is is in tatters. They need to get over themselves.

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Ren0o | Mar 14, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT

A bit over the top Alan 07. Keep in mind its only played at home games so with Ireland's call, only one third of the time. Also keep in mind that it represents over 80% of the islands population, is sung in the native language of the island we all share and represents almost all of the players, because, to be honest, ulster rugby is hopeless while Munster and Leinster are arguably the best club sides in the Northern hemisphere. By all right, they could just use the country's national anthem but instead the official rugby anthem has been adopted as Irelands call, for the very concerns you've just expressed. Don't really see the issue and having been consistently going to some of the games in Dublin I've actually started to notice the crowd singing Ireland's call louder even tough its not their anthem and most think its a pretty dumb song. Personally, I think the all-island rugby team is great and its one tradition we can both proudly share with each other, hopefully in the future with some decent contributions from the northys cause we need young blood and the next world cups in England

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hotdubliner | Mar 14, 2012, 03:49 AM EDT

@allan 07. Hand on my heart Allan, I say to you in all sincerity, I long for the day when there isn't a song, or a saying or, for that matter, a shoe, that will offend, hurt or outrage any Irish person, north or south of the border. Those days have to be over! We have so much more in common than any issue, be it religion, ideology, whatever...than anything that could separate us. When we let go of fear, magic happens! You are my Irish brother, and in this new peace, which came with such a price to all of us, I hope you will open your heart and know that we all have to let the past stay in the past. We raise our children in the same land, on the same soil, with a love for the same country. They are our legacy. I wish you well, Allan, and I hope for all of us the hurt will end and we can live in peace and harmony....as we were always meant to. Peace & Blessings

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