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'Racism' protests over the high street hanging black mannequins
Last updated at 23:52pm on 29.10.07A chain of fashion stores has been accused of racism over a window display of black mannequins hanging from the ceiling.
Branches of All Saints are featuring headless dummies, with chains attached to the neck, dangling with their feet a few inches off the floor.
Police arrived at one branch, in Exeter, to investigate claims that the display was offensive and the Rural Racism Project says it has been "inundated" with complaints calling for it to be removed.
'Incredibly offensive': Police were called to the store display in Exeter
Spokesman John McKenzie said: "These disturbing displays are reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan and the lynching of black people in America.
"The chains used to hang the mannequins also bring to mind slavery and some of the complainants have commented on this.
"The overall effect is extremely ominous.
Dummies: Race campaigners have complained about the hanging mannequins
"It is unacceptable and we have received many calls from both black and white people who find it offensive.
But the retailer's attitude has been that the stores are all making a profit, therefore it cannot be offending too many people."
A spokesman for All Saints confirmed that the display was used at 28 of its 29 stores nationwide.
She added: "The models are not black – they are grey.
Hanging from a chain: We think this looks good, said an All Saints spokesman
"We used them because they look good in our stores, and not to represent any race.
"We are not the only store to use headless mannequins, and chains are used throughout our shops for various purposes.
They go with our rock and roll image."
At the Exeter store, assistant manager Tiff Phillips said the public response to the display had been largely positive.
"There are no heads so there are no grimaces, and the mannequins are just hanging there.
"The police have been to see us and say we are not breaking any laws."
The display in Exeter has already drawn criticism from the Samaritans after a complaint from a woman whose uncle hanged himself.
The unidentified woman said the "ghoulish" display brought back memories of a family tragedy.
"If you have lost a loved one to suicide by hanging, you will find this display incredibly offensive and disturbing."
Developer Land Securities, which owns the newly-built £225million Princesshay shopping complex in the city, said that it cannot force its tenants to alter their window displays.
Reader views (14)
I think that's just completely and utterly stupid. It's not racist at all, how pathetic can some people get.
- Andy, Exeter
It is amazing to me how cavalier people have become. Nothing seems to bother most people unless it happens to them. This isn't about race, creed, or colour. It's about taste. This display is in bad taste. There is no way for me to believe that no one, in the planing process of this display, did not think that it may offend some people. That some may think that it is racist. But as usual money before honour. The problem with the sins of yesterday is they all to often become today's joke. As a servant of GOD I am required to look at life as it is. It is therefore clear to me that most of your respondents tastes mimic that of the store owners.
- Pastor Jerome Pass, Norfolk, Virginia
This is just plain stupid. People are to ready to accuse these days. All they want is attention. There is nothing wrong with this window display and the mannequins are grey, so unless these people are colour blind I don't see the problem. Although I can see how the hanging might disturb someone who has lost a loved one to suicide.
- Caitlin, Illinois, USA
It is time we stopped pandering to the insanity of political correctness gone out of control. Everthing we do now has to be checked for any possible racist comment or thought. Everyone fears being called a racist these days. No thought, joke, comment or action is free of suspicion. Our freedom and our country have been stolen from us. It's time we started to take it back.
- G.L.Marshall, Ilfracombe, Devon
How ridiculous. If we were in April, I would surely think this was an April Fool's joke. Politically correct insanity. I do hope that All Saints do not remove their mannequins from the shop window.
- Lorraine Liyanage, East Dulwich
They look more silver than black. Why are people so insecure? Pathetic.
- Jay, London, UK
I've also seen cream hanging mannequins, not just grey ones. Clearly though a busy day in Cornwall for some people.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK
I despair at this country and how it's being ruled by politically correct nonsense and jumping on the racism bandwagon. These people are truly delusional and their brains are working overtime to find any reference to anything remotely racist (which this isn't!) and blow it up to monumental proportions. If anyone is offended by mannequins hanging from a ceiling they really need to get some psychiatric help, they're seriously delusional.
- Paul Wilson, London, UK
Spokesman John McKenzie said: "These disturbing displays are reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan and the lynching of black people in America."
..Something Mr McKenzie clearly has little knowledge and zero experience of. His comments are breathtakingly stupid and flippant, and they insult everyone affected by those terrible historic events in the US.
- Mark, London
No doubt some would have complained if all the mannequins had been white and not a "true represention of society's mix"
Some people really do have too much time to moan about nothing in particular.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
More moaning minnies. So a few people complained, that means most people didn't.
- Paul, London
Utterly, utterly stupid. The Rural Racism Project and the others that complained should get lives. I bet not one person complained.
- Cameron, London
Political correctness on overdrive!
- V, London
How ridiculous is that! The world has gone nuts.
- Tracy, Australia
