Online Retailer Shein Apologises After Backlash For Selling Swastika Necklace

Online retailer Shein has issued an apology after receiving backlash for a 'metal swastika pendant necklace' listed on its website.

The necklace was being sold for $2.50 (£1.98), but has since been removed from the Shein website.

Many shoppers took to social media with screenshots of the necklace, with one person writing: "So what was said about SHEIN again????? This is f***ing disgusting."

Another said: "Who in their right mind would sell a damn swastika?!"

Shein

Many social media users have pointed out that the symbol has been in used before the Nazis, including as a positive religious emblem for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, with one saying: "Y'all need to educate yourselves instead of jumping on the drama bandwagon after 0.23592 seconds. This isn't the Nazi symbol this is a religious symbol of spirituality for south Asian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. The Nazis stole it and flipped it anti-clockwise."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Shein echoed this sentiment, saying the Nazi swastika has a different design to the one used on the necklace, saying it is pointed clockwise and tilted at an angle.

"However, because we understand the two symbols can be confused, and one is highly offensive, we have removed the product from our site," the spokesperson told BuzzFeed.

They added: "As a multicultural and global brand, we want to apologize profusely to those who are offended, we are sensitive to these issues and want to be very clear that we in no way support or condone racial, cultural and religious prejudice or hostility.

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"We are actively working through our internal structure and processes to resolve these issues, including a product review committee to ensure that we respect our diverse community.

"We are a global and all-inclusive brand and we are taking extreme measures to ensure that all items are cleared through a rigorous vetting process before we retail them."

However, many others responded to that argument by saying the swastika still holds many negative connotations, with someone tweeting: "Yes the symbol has many meanings, but what's the FIRST thing that comes to mind..."

Another added: "Honestly, though it originates from Hindu, the swastika has forever been tainted by the Nazis and no one will ever be able to look at it and not think of them. At least not in our lifetime."

LADbible has contacted Shein for further comment.

Topics: World News, Shopping, News

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman