American Apparel

I chuckled at the phrase “benevolent dictatorship” which was used to describe American Apparel. First of all, what business is not “like” a dictatorship? Each company has a boss that can command his employees to do what he wants, that is why they get paid. The statement is accusative and not grounded in reasonable reality. Rather than a critique this essay is more of a feminist rant against the exploitation of women. The author also brings up race, I found this line particularly humorous, “A large number of Asian and black models, as the sexual nature of the imagery can be seen to encourage the belief that non-white women are more sexualized and/or submissive.” Can one be anymore dramatic and irrelevant? Maybe Charney (owner of AA) likes Asians and black women. What about all the sexual portrayal of white women, which is exponentially more common? I just don't see the need to always make things about racism.

Anna Kealey's self-righteousness is very opinionated. I do not think it is anybody’s right to dictate how a company promotes itself. People who do so are the reason unconstitutional laws get passed. Although I can understand the frustration of seeing clothes promoted through sex (in some people’s eyes), it is not the company’s fault but the people's who are attracted to such advertising. If anything, I am angrier with outspoken critics who criticize sexual provocative imagery. I for one do not find sex unethical or immoral, but natural and beautiful. I believe American Apparel is perfectly ethical in not only producing its products but promoting them as well.