Jordan Myles recently, very loudly, pushed back against the release of official WWE merchandise that he believes was designed to resemble racist imagery. Specifically, Myles, one of WWE’s stars, had issues with the design of a shirt: A black, crew cut t-shirt with a design that appears to be smiling red lips, with white lettering spelling out Myles’ name stylized like teeth.
“If this is @VinceMcMahon & @TripleH “vision” of me then this is a slap in the face to EVERY African American performer, fan, and supporter,” Myles, real name Albert Hardie Jr., wrote on Twitter.
I will keep posting this till my voice is heard. I’m not sorry for anything I say or do.
Representation is important.
If this is @VinceMcMahon & @TripleH “vision” of me then this is a slap in the face to EVERY African American performer, fan, and supporter. pic.twitter.com/S6Gtg9e4lP
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
Wrestling fans were also quick to call out obvious resemblance to blackface,
The mouth resembles an old sambo doll. This is what alot of this controversy is about and frankly I'm with Jordan Myles on this. The fact that the WWE designed and sold this fucking shirt willingly is just disrespectful and down right wrong. pic.twitter.com/3ay1TbOH7J
— Gabe Dominguez (@gxbeJPG) October 28, 2019
WWE makes a shirt for a black performer that looks very similar to blackface. Even if this wasn’t intentional, it’s absolutely ridiculous and Jordan Myles was right to call them out on their bullshit. https://t.co/OIdZ65kCYk
— Ryan Buckley (@ryanbuck101) October 27, 2019
In a statement the WWE said Myles approved the design, “As always, we work collaboratively with all of our performers to develop logos and merchandise designs and get their input and approval before proceeding. This was the same process with Albert, and we responded swiftly once he later requested that the logo/t-shirt be redesigned.”
Myles disputes this claim, writing, “When I originally saw the design I was uncomfortable. Rather than addressing the issue I decided to counter offer with another.
Baker Landon lied to my face! He said HHH wanted this design so my hands were tied. I spoke with @TripleH in person and his impression was I approved”
When I originally saw the design I was uncomfortable. Rather than addressing the issue I decided to counter offer with another.
Baker Landon lied to my face! He said HHH wanted this design so my hands were tied. I spoke with @TripleH in person and his impression was I approved https://t.co/JndOSasTGK
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 28, 2019
As of last week, WWE stopped selling the shirt, but Myles’ criticism continues, “Does it matter if the shirt was replace? The FACT that they even made the first one overshadows anything till WE get what we deserve.”
Does it matter if the shirt was replace? The FACT that they even made the first one overshadows anything till WE get what we deserve. https://t.co/mLjKeUDNNt
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
Myles also took issue with Hulk Hogan’s return to the WWE. The wrestling legend was fired from the organization in 2015 for throwing around the n-word during 2012 radio interview with SiriusXM. The WWE rehired Hogan in 2018.
“The fact that @HulkHogan is still employed after giving the locker room an apology for being caught says enough.#ForTheCulture”
THE WHOLE WWE SYSTEM IS FRAUD!
THEY CREATED THIS SYSTEM WHERE YOU CANT TRUST ANYONE, YOU GROW COLD, AND YOU GROW APART FROM WHAT YOU LOVE THE MOST!The fact that @HulkHogan is still employed after giving the locker room an apology for being caught says enough.#ForTheCulture
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 28, 2019
