Outrage as Nike names new trainer after British Black and Tans

For Nike it was an innocent name designed to chime with the often boozy St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
To others, however, it was a historical affront reviving bitter memories of a British unit sent to Ireland to suppress revolt in the 1920s.
Nike has launched its new £70 ‘beer-themed’ trainer ‘The Black and Tan’ just in time for St Patrick’s Day on Saturday.

But the U.S sportswear firm has been accused of ‘huge insensitivity’ because the Black and Tans was the nickname given to the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, which became notorious for a brutal crackdown during the independence war.
One outraged Irish American claimed it was the equivalent of calling a shoe ‘the Al Qaeda’.

The trainer is officially called the Nike SB Dunk Low, but has been nicknamed The Black and Tan for its colourings.
An advertisement for the shoe says: ‘Tis the season for Irish beer and why not celebrate with Nike.

‘The Black and Tan sneaker takes inspiration for the fine balancing act of a stout on top a pale ale in a pint glass.’
Others Irish Americans criticised Nike for being ‘oblivious’ to the historical connotation.

Ciaran Staunton, president of the U.S.-based Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, asked: ‘Is there no one at Nike able to Google Black and Tan?’ On Tuesday, Nike apologised for the name’.

A spokesman said: ‘It is not the official name of the shoe’.
‘It has been unofficially named by some using the phrase and we recognise it can be viewed as inappropriate and insensitive. We apologise and no offence was intended.’

Six years ago ice cream firm Ben & Jerry’s caused a furore when it launched a Black and Tan flavour. The product was quickly withdrawn.
Given the nickname of the Black and Tans for their improvised uniforms, its members used uncompromising measures to enforce British ‘Home Rule’ in Ireland – and were deeply unpopular as a result.

In an advert for the trainer, officially called the Nike SB Dunk Low, but dubbed the ‘Black and Tan’ for its colourings, it is stated: ‘Tis the season for Irish beer and why not celebrate with Nike’

‘The Black and Tan sneaker takes inspiration for the fine balancing act of a Stout (Guinness) on top a Pale Ale (Harp) in a pint glass.’
And online shoe store kicksonfire said: ‘Beer drinkers can rejoice soon as their favourite pastime is slated to have an official piece of footwear endorsed by Nike SB.

‘The Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Black & Tan’ is set to hit shelves in roughly 10 days and if the last photo set we showed you wasn’t enough these should definitely hit the spot.