Target’s Being Accused of Trivializing Mental Illness With Its 'Obsessive Christmas Disorder' Sweater
Target has been accused of trivializing mental illness by stocking a holiday sweater that reads: “OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder.”
We first spotted this story on Adweek, which points out that Target isn’t the only retailer selling goods with the slogan this season.
However, given the size of Target, it appears to be the company that has drawn the most ire by stocking the item.
Target says it has no plans to de-list the item.
Twitter users have been complaining about the sweater and have asked Target remove the product from its stores and online.
Can’t wait for the rest of @Target disease themed fashion line. Next up: PTSD (People That Shop Disorder) pic.twitter.com/kf0ZBxnnOm
— Allison Raskin (@AllisonRaskin)
yo @Target this is bad, put it away in a deep deep black hole pic.twitter.com/ULiuZuNSLv
— erina (@erinamcsweeney)
Let @Target Know That We Will Be Boycotting Their Store Until They Remove This Item • @BipolarUs • #ThisWillNotStand pic.twitter.com/3Jc4fS3uxx
— @BipolarPlus (@BipoIarPlus)
Boo, @Target. You’ll end up on the naughty list if you keep making light of illnesses like #OCD. pic.twitter.com/QERuaFK4OJ
— Dani Poole (@DPoolePR)
@Target OCD? Very ignorant sweatshirts.1. Open on Thanksgiving. 2. Makes fun of mental illness. = Not a dollar of my money this season.
— jali cook (@jali_cook)
can we please have target remove this shirt? this could be really offensive to people who actually have OCD. pic.twitter.com/A1j8Q4czoG
— alli (@grandesgarden)
Target sent Business Insider this statement: “We never want to disappoint our guests and we apologize for any discomfort. We currently do not have plans to remove this sweater.”
The retailer has been responding on Twitter to some of the criticism, telling users it is sharing their comments with its merchandise team and adding that it is never the company’s intention to offend.
@dat_maya_tho02 We never intend to offend our guests with the items we sell. We’ve shared your comments with our Merchandise team. Thanks.
— AskTarget (@AskTarget)
@erinamcsweeney We never want to offend you with the items we carry. We’ve shared your thoughts with our Merchandise team to review. Thanks!
— AskTarget (@AskTarget)
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