Stephen A. Crockett Jr.
TheRoot.com
Obama ties—and thongs? Please stop the merchandise madness.
The day after America elected a black man president, a bundle of Washington Post newspapers were going for $400 on eBay. The L.A. Times made a cool 600K in Barack Obama merchandise. The ailing newspaper industry briefly got its swagger back when people realized that they couldn’t frame their computer.
Unfortunately, that is not where Obamaphernalia ends. Right now, as I type this essay, I am wearing Obama socks. Knotted at my neck is an Obama tie. I’m wearing Obama underwear, an Obama sweater, Obama flip flops and Obama cuff links. I’m munching on my Obama ‘Os cereal.
OK, so I am not wearing those things, but the point is I could be.
The other point is WTF?
The King family has long been criticized for its gangsterous guarding of MLK’s image.
They sic their legal dogs on anyone who deigns to use Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s image on T-shirts. News media? Fifth-grade civics class? Pay up or they’ll see you in court.
| Annie Kate |
December 4th, 2008 8:49 am ET You forgot one very unique item – Obama soap on a rope. Obama’s face as your bar of bath soap – the image is just so ludicrous. I’m waiting to see if someone comes out with a Care Bear type of product with Obama’s features and hope as its message that you can take to bed with you when you are stressed out and worried. As my mother-in-law says – Its just all so tacky! Annie Kate |
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| Joanne, Solvay, NY |
December 4th, 2008 9:31 am ET The American society insists on creating heros. In this case, it is well deserved. Enjoy! |
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| Melissa, Los Angeles |
December 4th, 2008 11:51 am ET Well said! What’s interesting to me are people who didn’t vote for him but are buying his merchandise anyway. The country should treat him as the President and not a celebrity. |
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| John in Valhalla, NY |
December 4th, 2008 1:15 pm ET Oh c’mon….I’d rather have an Obama tie than the George W doll that you wind up and it does NOTHING! Let it be. |
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