People are demanding Amazon remove this bizarre and distasteful jumper
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Amazon has caused outrage with a jumper that makes light of anorexia and bulimia.
The online market place has received calls to remove a jumper that says 'anorexia, like Bulimia, except with self control.'
The £19 jumper makes light of eating disorders, by suggesting that anorexia is a more 'self-controlled' version of bulimia. As well as being hideously inaccurate and disgustingly insensitive, the jumper trivialises bulimia, and champions anorexia; two incredibly serious disorders which have the capacity to kill their sufferers.
.@amazon Please remove this #anorexia 'hoody' item from sale. #eatingdisorders kill. It is not a joking matter https://t.co/Cf0ZNMqT8G pic.twitter.com/CKQdDE8shg
— Dr Andy Mayers FRSA (@DrAndyMayers) September 29, 2017
This makes me so sad. Anorexia silently kills a person on the inside and then kills their entire body. Take it down!
— Andrea Carolina, LPC (@lightlypink) October 1, 2017
Twitter has been calling upon the online store to remove the product from sale, with many calling the product 'grossly irresponsible.'
@amazon Horrendous, come on, sort it out
— Teresa Maria (@Teresa_4G1) September 30, 2017
That is awfully insensitive and horrible. Well done @DrAndyMayers for pulling them up on it!
— Abigail Wright (@abigailwr16) September 30, 2017
@amazon I can't believe I'm seeing this. Appalling
— Maggie Atkinson (@matkinson956) September 30, 2017
.@Amazon has been described as "grossly irresponsible" for selling this top about anorexia and bulimia. Should it be banned? pic.twitter.com/9RLRh6GXtE
— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) October 3, 2017
Among those calling for the removal of the hoodie from sale was anorexia sufferer Beth Grant. Calling the hoodie 'absolutely disgusting', she warned of the dangers associated with the trivialisation and mocking of mental health disorders. Speaking to the BBC, she said:
'It can be extremely damaging to anyone suffering bulimia or anorexia, and for them to make a commodity out of it is completely irresponsible and absolutely disgraceful'
"It's absolutely disgraceful and irresponsible"
— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) October 3, 2017
Retailer Amazon criticised over anorexia/bulimia hoodie: https://t.co/Ky5JeRttpO pic.twitter.com/Z2cgyWVvFJ
On Amazon's site, the hoodie itself has a number of negative comments, many of which are from those who have experience with eating disorders:
Amongst those leaving reviews are those who have suffered, know loved ones who have suffered and even those who have lost people to the disorders the jumper seeks to mock.
Amazon hoodie supposed to be funny? Guess I had a humour by-pass during my 25yrs of anorexia (binge/purge type..) #VictoriaLIVE
— Mel (@RuftyRoo) October 3, 2017
Well bulemia is a very dangerous condition - and - having had both, Anorexia is *not* like bukemia with self control.
— moonatmidnight (@moonatmidnight) September 30, 2017
Some people are seeking to justify the jumper as 'light humour', making the argument that if you're offended by it you just shouldn't purchase it.
However, there is a very clear distinction between light or even dark humour and actively mocking very real, and very harmful mental disorders. The danger of commodifying eating disorders and normalising them by branding them on clothing is not a laughing matter, and has the potential to be incredibly dangerous.
Hopefully the complaints are heeded soon, with a potential apology for any offence caused, too.
