Dear Zephyrus,

As a former shopper of Urban Outfitters, I was very disappointed when I heard about certain clothing Urban Outfitters was making. There was a Buzzfeed article about the top 26 items that were big “fails” by Urban Outfitters. The store designed, and sold clothing that promoted anorexia, mocked depression, slut shamed, displayed religious stereotyping, and made a sweatshirt that almost glorified the unfortunate shooting at Kent State in 1970. Knowing many people from Edina who shop here, I think it’s important to let the consumers know what they are supporting when they purchase clothing or accessories from the store.

As a teenager in today’s society, I think it’s important that we do not buy into this brand that sends messages that a lot of people struggle with and making clothing to represent it. Depression isn’t a joke, neither is the KKK, or drug use. Word needs to be spread that this clothing isn’t okay, and that though other clothes there may be “hipster” or “trendy”, clothing that is offensive shouldn’t be bought. We are starting to see celebrity support, with the help of Sophia Bush, but I think this issue should be something the students of Edina should know, and hopefully it will make them reconsider where they put their money.

Here are some links about the issue:

http://time.com/money/3377906/urban-outfitters-kent-state-sweatshirt/

This link brings up the idea that maybe Urban Outfitters creates problematic clothing to spark publicity. Even if this is true I think it is important to argue that there are other ways to advertise than to create offensive clothing.

https://www.dosomething.org/blog/celebsgonegood/sophia-bush-blasts-urban-outfitters

http://www.buzzfeed.com/christianzamora/times-urban-outfitters-failed-so-hard-it-just-failed#2h8c04s

Please take a look at these, and please consider publishing an article to get the word out about this societal issue. Thank you!

-Bethany Aydinalp, junior, Edina High School