Just to follow up on a post from Wednesday, Urban Outfitters offers women’s tees that not only say “Everybody Loves an Asian Girl,” but also “Everybody Loves a Catholic Girl,” “Everybody Loves an Italian Girl,” “Everybody Loves an Irish Girl,” “Everybody Loves a Jewish Girl” and “Everybody Loves a Latin Girl.”

So while Urban Outfitters may still be pulling an Abercrombie, the retailer is doing it to multiple ethnic, racial and religious groups.

It’s just a shirt, but as the Abercrombie episode shows, attempts at ethnic or racial humor or marketing toward a particular group can backfire. There’s a fine line between what’s funny and what’s offensive. Compare Abercrombie or Urban Outfitters’ shirts with those from Black Lava. The differences are subtle but come through clearly.

Also, the Urban Outfitters Asian Girl shirt is in that “Asian” script that’s seen on bad Chinese restaurant menus or on something that’s trying too hard to be Asian. The others are in the same font. Why is the Asian shirt singled out?

It boils down to whether the message is genuine or just a crass marketing ploy.

chinoloco