Poet Maya Angelou highlights corporate racism-Fiction!

Poet Maya Angelou Highlights Corporate Racism-Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor:
This is a poem allegedly written by the well-known African American poet Maya Angelou who is remembered as having participated in the 1993 Presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton. The poem makes reference to clothing designers and manufacturers including Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Nautica, Liz Claiborn, Ralph Lauren, Timberland company and packages them all under an umbrella of either racism or at least companies whose products are to be avoided by African Americans. It encourages "buying black." It also claims that Timberland is owned by the "president" of the Ku Klux Klan.

The Truth:

We have consulted with the agency that represents Maya Angelou and they have confirmed that this was not written by her.

There have been false eRumors for quite a while claiming that Tommy Hilfiger is racist. CLICK HERE for details.

Racist allegations against Timberland are groundless and there is no evidence that anyone associated with the KKK is associated with the ownership of the company. There is no "president" of the KKK. They use different leadership titles such as "Grand Dragon."

A large part of the tension over fashions is because of the massive success of Rap and Hip Hop music in America. The fans have been influenced by the styles and trends of the artists which has spawned the creation of successful independent clothing designers such as Fubu, Willie Esco, Rockawear, Enyce, RP55, Mecca, and Africa. Some of the traditionally high cost labels have gotten onto the Rap and Hip Hop bandwagon too such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, Guess, Nautica, and Polo. At the very least, there has been an encouragement of loyalty to African Americans to "buy black" and to not accommodate the fashion designers who have allegedly, until now, not catered to them. At the very most, there have been these attacks on the high fashion companies and the creation of rumors designed to discourage minorities from buying their products.

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

This is a poem by Maya Angelou to blacks and a message for us to think about. Please read carefully and try to interpret as best you as you can.

Clothes

You are in love with Tommy, Because his last name is Hilfiger, But behind closed doors, Tommy, Is calling you a nigger, But you could care less, Because you have been taught to dress to impress, If I ask you about your true history, You would have to look on the back of your jeans and Guess, You come up in the club wearing versace, Clothes made by a homosexual male, So even when you say you are straight, It is very hard to tell, And for footwear, you wear Timberlands, Even under the sun, That some tree that the symbol for them, Could have been the same one your ancestors were hung from, I cannot forget Nautica, When was the last memory you have of ships, Coming to North America in shackles, Being beaten over the back with whips, And to my beautiful black queens, Whose creative womb has become barren, I am confused because your face says Nefertiti, But your sweater reads Donna Karen, When was the last time you saw Liz Claiborne, Conversing with black women, But as soon as her name is printed on a purse, To Macy's you quickly go, running,

Ralph Lauren doesn't even look at black men, Unless they are driving him around town, But as soon as that slave master appears on the back of a horse, You put whatever you have picked up down,

My people, reclaim your status in this world and in your life, Fubu in case you didn't know, stand for (For Us By Us), Buying black will someday suffice, Do you know who owns Timberland fashion? Well, Timberland is owned by the president of the KKK, Surprised? Don't be. Read more books black people, Always hope for the best and prepare for the worst, You may not get what you pay for, But you'll surely pay for what you get.

Maya Angelou