The WWE is receiving backlash after designing a t-shirt that has offended one of its wrestlers.
Albert Hardie Jr., aka Jordan Myles, called out the WWE on Twitter, saying they made a racist shirt using his name.
The black shirt features lips and a smile with Myles' name, resembling the Sambo doll.
"They don’t see the disrespect in producing a design that screams racism against African Americans," Myles tweeted. "They have been blinded for years and they need a reprogramming because they are ignorant."
Because THEY are blind and stuck in their ways. THEY don’t see the disrespect in producing a design that screams racism against African Americans. THEY have been blinded for years and THEY NEED A REPROGRAMMING BECAUSE THEY ARE IGNORANT!
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
Myles, who said the incident is a slap in the face, tweeted he will continue to voice his opinion.
I will keep posting this till my voice is heard. I’m not sorry for anything I say or do.
Representation is important.
If this is @VinceMcMahon & @TripleH “vision” of me then this is a slap in the face to EVERY African American performer, fan, and supporter. pic.twitter.com/S6Gtg9e4lP
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
The WWE released a statement, saying they designed the shirt with approval from Myles.
"Albert Hardie Jr. (aka Jordan Myles) approved this t-shirt for sale. As always, we work collaboratively with all of our performers to develop logos and merchandise designs and get their input and approval before proceeding," the WWE said. "This was the same process with Albert, and we responded swiftly once he later requested that the logo/t-shirt be redesigned. No t-shirts were sold.”
According to Bleacher Report, WWE has replaced the shirt, but Myles said it should have never been designed in the first place.
"I’ve used this shirt as fuel. I knew the shirt existed and my soul hasn’t been able to rest properly since I’ve laid eyes on it. My voice will be heard," Myles tweeted. "My true opinion will be heard and my people will have their moment."
I’ve used this shirt as fuel. I knew the shirt existed and my soul hasn’t been able to rest properly since I’ve laid eyes on it. My voice will be heard… my true opinion will be heard.. and MY PEOPLE will have their moment. https://t.co/uMErUAGr43
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
Myles is getting support from wrestler Cedric Alexander, who is bringing attention to the issue with the hashtag #ForTheCulture.
— Cedric Alexander (@CedricAlexander) October 27, 2019
Continuing to express his frustration on Twitter, Myles said the shirt is what’s wrong with America and the wrestling industry.
Nothing poor about my soul.
This shirt is what’s wrong with America and the wrestling industry. https://t.co/RubgtSRxe1
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
According to Bleacher Report, the 31-year-old wrestler signed with WWE in February and won the NXT Breakout Tournament in August, but lost the NXT championship match and has not been seen on NXT programming since.
The WWE has a history of facing racial controversy. In 2017, WWE champion Jinder Mahal mocked his Japanese opponent with facial expressions and an accent. The incident shocked the audience and angered many people who said the WWE should never allow such a scripted program.
"Racism is definitely an idiotic way to get heat and not necessary,” 15-year-old Noumaan Faiz said in an email to The Washington Post. "WWE should have never approved this.”
