TOW#9: Are Vans Anti-Semitic?

In the article, “Are Vans Anti-Semitic?” by Jenna Zimmerman it is described that the shoes by Vans contain concerning designs. On the sole of the popular Vans shoes, the Star of David has been discovered towards the ball and middle of one’s foot which seems to suggest that those wearing the shoes, “ ‘step on’ Judaism”. Later, a video was released on YouTube that illustrated that inside the sole of the show contains a hidden swastika symbol. The combination of these two design aspects leads many people to distrust this company and lose interest in their products. Vans refutes these anti-Semitic claims be explaining the functional purposes to their design. The geometric patterns on the bottom of the shoes are strictly to provide skateboard-friendly traction.  In response to the swastika symbol, they claim to be unaware of that aspect and currently investigating it. Zimmerman explains how this altered her view of Vans, she once owned multiple pairs, and now she chooses not to wear them at all due to this issue. She writes this to encourage all Vans customers to research this topic and form their own opinion on the matter and decide on whether or not they should purchase or continue wearing this brand. She supports her purpose by providing the audience with both sides of the argument. Also, she compares the swastika symbol found inside the sole of Vans to a similar situation with a Steve Madden shoe. By comparing the differences in approaches of the issue shows that the Steve Madden ones contained a backwards swastika which is claimed to be a Chinese character so that was a bit more believable of a story than Vans. I believe that Zimmerman achieved her purpose due to the strong evidence presented as well as the inclusion of personal opinions as well as opinions of others.  

Article: http://observerjchs.com/2011/02/25/are-vans-anti-semitic/

Vans
URL: http://observerjchs.com/2011/02/25/are-vans-anti-semitic/