Wednesday, February 28, 2007
NEWS
The Ryersonian • 15
No does mean no
T-shirt slogan promotes violence against women, student group says
By Sarah Regan Special to The Ryersonian
A new T-shirt has been pulled from the shelves of Bluenotes stores across the country, after the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) complained the slogan written across the front is a big no-no. The red, men’s shirt with the words “No means have aNOther drink” spelled out in white letters is being criticized by student groups who say the top promotes violence against women. Amanda Aziz, national chairperson for CFS, said when the student group learned about the controversial clothing item last
week, several calls were made to Bluenotes requesting the product be taken off the shelves immediately. She said the slogan, “No means No,” has been used by the CFS for the past 10 years as part of its campaign against date rape. “While removing the shirts from the store is a step in the right direction, we’re still upset that the slogan was printed in the first place,” said Aziz. “It only takes one guy to wear this shirt before a lot of guys are wearing it, and that sends a negative message to women.” YM Inc., which operates 116 Bluenotes stores in Canada, did not return phone calls made by Ryersonian staff. However, management at the four Bluenotes
stores located in Toronto con- sive. In 2004, stores including firmed that its staff has been Stitches, Suzy Shier, Urban ordered by head office to remove Planet and Sirens, which operate the shirts from the under the YM sales floor until furInc. umbrella, ther notice. pulled shirts “The slogan While the with slogans $15.50 item is no basically twists a such as “Boys longer being Stupid, positive message are Rocks at offered in Canada, Throw a women’s version around and makes Them” and of the shirt sporting “Boys Lie, Poke it negative.” a similar message them in the Eye” continues to be sold after customers in the U.S.-based complained the —Nora Loreto phrases were clothing store David and Goliath. offensive. This is not the But shoppers first time the company that oper- who were at the Bluenotes store ates Bluenotes has come under in the Toronto Eaton Centre fire for clothing considered offen- recently said they don’t take
offence to the types of slogans the clothing company prints on its products. “It’s just a T-shirt,” said Shirley Dryden, a Toronto mother of four teenage boys. “I think student groups are making a big deal over nothing. I wouldn’t have a problem with my son wearing a shirt like that. It’s supposed to be funny.” Ryerson Students’ Union representative Nora Loreto said the shirt is anything but funny. “The slogan basically twists a positive message around and makes it negative,” said Loreto, who is also a representative for CFS local 24. “It condones the rape of women. And that’s disturbing.”
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