Nike comes under fire for selling ‘menacing’ balaclava

Nike has come under fire for selling a balaclava that critics say plays on stereotypes of black youths involved in gang violence.

The Nike x MMW balaclava, which appeared to have been removed from sale on the company’s UK website on Monday, is a full face covering that extends down the neck and across the upper chest of wearers.

It is intended to keep wearers warm in cold weather. But critics say that its marketing, including pictures of it worn by a young black model in a T-shirt and another garment similar to military special forces webbing, appears aimed at youngsters aiming for a gang-inspired look, of the kind popularised by drill music videos.

In one widely viewed video on Facebook, Paul McKenzie, a commentator who regularly tackles issues of crime affecting London’s black community, said: “You know these young people on the street adore these manufacturers, they buy everything that they sell.

“We look at images of young people on the street and they look menacing already, and so Nike decides to bring out a balaclava range which looks absolutely menacing. Maybe I’m getting old, maybe I’m a dinosaur, but this balaclava range looks quite inciteful [sic].”

In another video posted on Twitter the comedian White Yardie also condemned Nike.