Apparently it is not acceptable to wear clothes designed by someone with views you don’t like…
Now that it is official that John Galliano made antisemitic remarks, is it acceptable to buy Dior clothes and accessories he designed?
Lucinda, by email
Simply, no no no.
Um, actually, bollocks, bollocks, bollocks.
Sure, he’s a nasty little man and if that means that you don’t want to be associated with him, then I have no beef with your decision. However, this “not acceptable” cockwaffle really needs to be knocked on the head. What is acceptable or not is a matter of individual conscience. If you like what he designs and want to buy it, then that is up to you, not the thought police at the Guardian. The man’s nasty views are neither here nor there. You either like the product and choose to buy it, or you don’t. If you wish to refrain as a consequence of his outspoken views, that is – and should remain – a free choice. Whatever you choose is acceptable to the only person who matters; you, the purchaser. It probably suggests that you have more money than sense, but that’s another matter.
Simplicity is paramount on this topic…
It is simple. So simple that even Hadley Freeman should be able to grasp it. Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of association. These are all more important than the offence caused by intemperate remarks from a puffed up poltroon. There is no right not to be offended and buying a Galliano dress does not make you a Nazi sympathiser.
And the fact that Galliano is facing prosecution is far more disturbing than his antisemetic diatribe. Freedom of speech has died, it seems. Freedom of speech means being able to make a complete arse of oneself in public. It means the right to be outrageously offensive – and yes, tasteless – without facing the threat of prosecution. Opprobrium from one’s fellow citizens may well result, yes. Even ostracising if it is that bad, as that is a free choice on the part of those who hear and dislike the views being expressed and choose to disassociate themselves as a consequence. But, that should have no bearing on a purchasing decision unless you as an individual choose to make it one. It is not unacceptable at all. And spouting nasty, hateful diatribes should not be against the law any more than freedom of association should be unacceptable.
I f you go back far enough there is probably a ‘reason’ not to buy all sorts of things. Pretty much anything from Germany because of WWII connections. And America. And Japan.
So that is solved, don’t buy stuff.
I recall someone taking my father to task back in the 70s because he had a German car for that very reason.
You still get the irony of all the thick xenophobic little racists moaning about foreigners taking all ‘their jobs’ while pretty much everything they own is ‘foreign’ in one way or another!