As someone who is now vision impaired (yep .. my blindness is recent indeed)
This is INSULTING ..
Obviously .. not a joking matter ..
For I do have to protect myself .. and what's left of my eyes ..
(I use shields .. because I can still sense things .. but it also means I have migraines if too much light hits my eyes).
Chinese Company Names Sunglasses After Helen Keller: Brilliant or Bad Idea?
SodaHead Business
2012/04/21 23:41:37
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A new line of luxury sunglasses named after a blind icon? We sure didn’t see (pun intended) that one coming!
But this is no joke. A Chinese company has actually named their eyewear after the famously deafblind Helen Keller who, by the way, never actually wore sunglasses! You may be wondering: Is this a case of deliberate eyerony? A glaring oversight? Something lost in translation? Apparently, none of the above.
According to the Washington Post, “Helen Keller is apparently a staple of China’s school curriculum – an exemplary figure that overcame her disabilities to make a mark – and a socialist to boot.”
Furthermore, the company’s spokesperson Chen Wenjing said that they were fully aware that Helen Keller was blind, but chose the figure for what she represented: “her philanthropist spirit which spread optimism around the world.” Hmm . . . we’re not sure we buy that explanation.
As if this story wasn’t ridiculous enough, the company’s motto—“You see the world, the world sees you”—just seems to make the use of Keller’s name feel even more insensitive. Yet, some are calling the marketing strategy bold. After all, the Helen Keller sunglasses certainly have received significant media attention.
What do you think SodaHeads? Was the Chinese company’s decision to name their new line of sunglasses after Helen Keller brilliant or a bad idea?
But this is no joke. A Chinese company has actually named their eyewear after the famously deafblind Helen Keller who, by the way, never actually wore sunglasses! You may be wondering: Is this a case of deliberate eyerony? A glaring oversight? Something lost in translation? Apparently, none of the above.
According to the Washington Post, “Helen Keller is apparently a staple of China’s school curriculum – an exemplary figure that overcame her disabilities to make a mark – and a socialist to boot.”
Furthermore, the company’s spokesperson Chen Wenjing said that they were fully aware that Helen Keller was blind, but chose the figure for what she represented: “her philanthropist spirit which spread optimism around the world.” Hmm . . . we’re not sure we buy that explanation.
As if this story wasn’t ridiculous enough, the company’s motto—“You see the world, the world sees you”—just seems to make the use of Keller’s name feel even more insensitive. Yet, some are calling the marketing strategy bold. After all, the Helen Keller sunglasses certainly have received significant media attention.
What do you think SodaHeads? Was the Chinese company’s decision to name their new line of sunglasses after Helen Keller brilliant or a bad idea?
Read More: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/04/20/chinese-compan...
Top Opinion
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sglmom 2012/04/22 00:33:59
.....im surprised the HK family isn't taking legal action for misuse of the Keller family name without their permission or endorsement.
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If they are going to profit from it, I'm sure that there are descendants of Ms. Keller's who should check into the situation. If they didn't want anything from the profits, maybe it could go towards funding for a foundation for the blind.
Wow the chinese have either bad taste or no taste.