Dearest Etsy,
Hi, I’m Defunkd. Not sure if you even know I exist, but, in the last few years our community has built an independent niche marketplace. Some people describe us as the “Etsy for Vintage Tees.” We take that as a compliment, given we’ve always been fans of yours!
I’m writing you because we recently decided to prohibit the sale of vintage Washington NFL tees because they use the R-word. We’re inviting you to join us.
Your crafty vendors do what they do best by transforming Washington’s branding into handmade items – from sexy lingerie to dog scarfs. Plus, girls’ dresses, baby onesies and diapers! Even our most precious little people can unwillingly go on the offensive.
The question isn’t whether Washington’s team name is racist. (It is.) The question is: Are you okay with slinging a racial slur through your grassroots marketplace? It’s being re-purposed and landing on all sorts of new products. Inventive merchandise that even the heartless owner of an NFL team and his evil marketing team never thought to produce.
I know what you’re thinking… Since we only sell true vintage t-shirts, it was an easy decision for us to make. It’s true, the ban won’t affect our bottom-line like it will yours – given you have close to 1500 items currently using the R-word in the listing title. Truthfully, the ban won’t affect our bottom-line at all because we don’t profit from any listings or take commissions from sales. It’s a great position to be in, when profits don’t complicate doing the right thing!
So why are we rallying for your support, you ask? Why not ask eBay or Amazon? Well, we’re both different from those companies. We’ve built marketplaces that aren’t driven by corporate and shareholder greed – places where people mean more than profits. We’re also proactive.
The name change is inevitable in the coming years. The pressure from players and fans continues to grow. Maybe Washington smartens up and respectfully makes the change on its own. Maybe the NFL finally weighs in. But chances are, shrinking corporate coffers will most likely get their attention, as every little piece of protest begins to trickle down to effect merchandising profits.
Of course, Washington isn’t the only sports team guilty of branding that’s offensive to American Indians, but they’re by far the worst offenders. But it’s all about baby steps. Once Washington makes the right move, the other teams will stop hiding behind them.
Why not watch this video again, mull it over in a meeting at your HQ – and let us know if you’ll join the team, cheering on progress from the bleachers.
Thanks for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Defunkd
![[ LINK IN BIO ] In honor of May the 4th we connected with a gentleman named Shawn whose father, Ira, worked for ILM. He designed the Biker Scout, need we say more? Shawn shared an epic tale of a bootleg Star Wars tee his dad heroically stashed away despite George Lucas' attempt to have it destroyed.
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RIP Ira Keeler. Long live the resistance.
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#vintagetshirt #vintagetee #vintagetees #vintagetshirts #maythe4th #maytheforth #starwarsday #georgelucas #starwarscollectibles #starwarscollectible #ILM #starwarscollection #starwarscollector #starwarscollectors #starwars #starwarsfan
#irakeeler](https://www.defunkd.com/newblog/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
BigDummy
July 28, 2014 at 7:01 pm
There are far worse things in life; and most likely on this site. The name emblazoned on the “work shirt” of multi-millionaires is not even on my radar. I’m not sure of the volume of R**skins memorabilia that passes through your gates, but I can’t imagine it’s a major pull to your over-all catalog. You wanna make a statement that you’re not okay with the team’s name? Ban all NFL jerseys and hats; but keep the socks, they’re just so cute on a middle-aged man.
No, I haven’t a lick of North, South or Meso-American blood in me, strictly WWI era Germanic here; I don’t see how being decent requires being of the same bloodline of the peoples being discussed.
Taking a stand for something you believe in should be taken seriously, a half-assed statement earns basf-assed respect.
BigDummy
July 28, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Oops, what’s basf-assed? “We don’t make the technology, we make it better.” Or however their ad was worded…
peppajack
July 30, 2014 at 9:46 am
Couldn’t agree more with you. I agree with you that we should also ban Indian (racist) Motorcycle shirts and misogynistic Harley (or other) shirts from this site. I look forward to seeing this content removed from your Instagram.
lol
defunkd
July 30, 2014 at 10:22 am
Ha, you forgot tees offensive to religious people, tees with nudity, swear words, sexual connotations, NWA tees, etc…
John P Sullivan
October 14, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Offensive?? I knew all those whiny little brats who won their participation trophies in grade school would grow up to become easily offended types. Perhaps it’s better to just stay in bed, curled up with thumb in mouth. Perhaps mommy will come tuck you in, and give you a hug just in case you dream of that evil Redskins logo.
What else is “offensive”? I can think of 10 band/album/team names right off the top of my head which, to avoid hypocricy, must never be allowed on here. Are we supposed to take Defunkd seriously now that the PC monster has been set upon the site?
Don’t like something, or merely offended by it? Just ban it! (like Olive Oyl blowing Popeye in the image to the right…that could be considered sexual harassment, or forced oral sex). We are living in dangerous times. Shame on Defunkd for pushing this garbage.
FiftyFiftyMan
defunkd
October 15, 2014 at 1:25 am
Popeye/Olive Oral Sex T-Shirt VS “Redskins” name http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/redskin-name-update
Just a wee bit different.
PC Monster? I yam what I yam, I guess?
Yes, our decade of hard work, providing a forum for discussion, letting a community grow, a free marketplace, exposing counterfeiters, funding good causes, it was all for nothing because we opted not to sell a football team’s t-shirt!
We’re done arguing about this. Sick of repeating ourselves between the two blog posts on this topic. Same ol’ point fingers elsewhere argument…