Nike 'Black and Tan' Sneaker Causes Huge Backlash

By Myles Collier, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, March 15, 2012

Nike has issued a public apology over the growing controversy involving one of its new sneakers and the name that had been "unofficially" given to the shoe.

The sneaker called, Nike SB Dunk Low, is a black leather sneaker with brown trim. The unofficial name supposedly was meant as homage to a famous drink. The "Black and Tan" is made by mixing a stout with a pale ale in a pint glass, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

The name for the drink however, gets its name from the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, which was an infamous group during the 1920s, known for attacks on Irish civilians during the War of Independence.

One advertisement for the shoe, which sells for $90, said: "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."

Ciaran Staunton, president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, told IrishCentral.com that he was dumbfounded by the choice of name for the shoe, explaining it is the American equivalent of calling a sneaker "the Al Qaida."

He continued to ask the question: "Is there no one at Nike able to Google Black and Tan?"

Nike released a statement to FoxNews.com which included an apology to anyone who may have been offended.

Nike officials in the statement explained that the sneakers which are officially called the Nike SB Dunk Low, have been "unofficially named by some using a phrase that can be viewed as inappropriate and insensitive."

The statement continued: "We apologize…No offense was intended."

In 2006, ice cream makers Ben & Jerry's caused a similar stir when it released a new flavor of ice cream called "Black and Tan." The company quickly apologized to anyone it may have offended, according to The Irish Times.