Nike has been accused of profiting off of London’s “gang culture,” with their recent collaborative Matthew Williams balaclava. Its been said that Nike’s balaclava represents an affirmation of the public’s growing fears regarding danger in London & holistically “gang culture”. Some Twitter users began criticizing the brand earlier this week, when they took offense at the black model used by Nike’s site, stating that the casting choice also underlined racial stereotypes regarding gangs. Furthermore, other criticism sites the danger of making “gang culture” look appealing to impressionable youths, with the balaclava often styled with shoulder straps that partially resemble holsters. Now in a statement to The Independent, a Nike rep stated, “These products were part of a wider Nike Training collection, styled on different models and available in multiple markets around the world. We are in no way condoning or encouraging the serious issue of criminal and gang culture.”
