Nike apologies for offensive St. Patrick’s Day “Black and Tan” sneakers

For God's sake, stop being so offended by everything. People have made a career out of being thin-skinned. Get over it. It's not all about you.

First up my Grandfather was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary born and reared in County Sligo and a Black and Tan he was not. I've been looking through some old photos and all I see is a normal police uniform Maybe you lot should shake YOUR act up and give us some facts.

Not surprised that NIKE has offered an apology, but at the same time, they probably had to research what they were apologizing about. There is so much surface intelligence in this day, that people have learned what has to be known in order to be successful in their careers. Black and Tan is a drink that many of the marketing types have been aquainted with during their college years, and it was probably served in an Irish Pub! That was their identification with Irish history. The same situation could apply to something relating to Serbia and Croatia, not to mention the history of a "Cuba Libre" Maybe its time to pull out the dart of persecution that seems to affect so many Irish..

If you can get Nike to apologize to the wage slaves they abuse and underpay in the making of their shoes, I would think more highly of them. But of course, THOSE people aren't customers and Nike knows that because they know how little they're paid.

Whinge,Whinge,Moan,Moan,Beg ,Beg What a shower

I don't even think Harp makes an ale, all I've seen is a lager and that makes a half and half. The black and tan uses Bass.

I cannot count the number of invectives that have been hurled my way in my six decades. None of them by accident. All meant to insult and demean. However, herein lies the issue. I venture to guess that none of the people who insulted me had any idea of the pain and the sorrow of the African-American journey through history. A difference to some. No difference to others. The Irish experience in America is a far, far cry away; almost three thousand miles and one thousand years of history. Most businesses don't think (really Think) before making these decisions. They don't have a clue because they aren't historians. They are marketers. The difference comes when there is a populous hue and cry for consideration and in the resultant action that is taken. I certainly would not want an all-white sneaker (kind of funny!) or a white sheet named, “Ku Klux Klan”. While we can't control all of the manufactures, we can register our complaints to make them aware, then vote with our pocketbooks. The intent is to remove the spread of bigotry. Don't blow it off so easily as trivial. But, if no offense was meant, then educate, and no offense taken.

Apology????, of what value is that? The question is, Have they removed the shoes? Nike; bet you wouldn't try offending Jews, well we demand the same courtesies you give any other group

I have always been surprised that no one has ever complained about the drink --and yet the sneaker causes a problem? I guess it would be as insensitive as naming a drink here in the US a kamikaze. Oh wait, there is such a drink and no one cares! We should focus on real problems, not sneakers.

Give me a break... recently a Marine division was in hot water over an "SS" on their flag. That offended as being a Nazi symbol. I would have never given their flag a second thought but it was USED as a cheap shot to keep the wallowing in the past and hatred alive. Human history is rife with the evils humans are capable of... crap like this will make sure the next generation has reasons to carry it into the future.

You are confusing an apology for after marketing!

Where does this end? My car stereo has an Auxiliary input. Should we all feign offence and complain to the manufacturers for the outrage of naming an input after the perpetrators of Bloody Sunday!? Seriously guys, there was obviously no offence meant by these shoes. They are inspired by a drink, and the drink was NOT named after the Black & Tans of Ireland. It's just colours, no connection what-so-ever.

Naming a shoe 'Black and Tan ' is comparable to naming an all white shoe the "Ku Klux Klan" shoe. Let's see how many people come out and say that is racist and terrible. Same goes for the "Irish Car Bomb", it is deplorable. Let's make another shot called "The 9-11 attacks" or the "Twin Towers bomb". My point that I will protect the comedic aspect of a racist or off-color joke however these are not jokes. The comedic value is nonexistent hence the "outrage". We cannot protect one race of people and then make insensitive remarks about another race. Have the same standard for all.

Interesting how Irish central sometimes uses Irish/British grammatical usage, sometimes American, especially in regard to collective nouns, with the Irish/British using the plural for such nouns, Americans using the singular. In the headlines (email/text) for this article both usages show up.

As a native Irish woman , I am not at all offended. People are so sensitive now, it's just not even funny anymore. There are more important things to worry about than this.