By nature, I am really not a "cancel culture" type of person.  There are plenty out there who show far more activism over a multitude of issues than I do.  In fact, I often find myself asking "whether we really need to do this" over some issues.  Sometimes, cancel culture does extend a bit too far in my opinion.

I am happy though to draw the line when it comes to anti-semitism or even a passive condonement of anti-semitism.  Which brings us to Adidas, the official athletic apparel company of GW athletics (and many other schools).  Adidas eventually did the right thing by terminating its working relationship with Kanye West or Ye or by however else this anti-semite is going by these days.  Nevertheless, it took Adidas a full week to reach this decision, citing it's highly successful collaboration with Yeezy, indicating how "proud" they were of this association, and not once making a public statement admonishing hate speech or anti-semitism as the company conducted its review.

I mention this today because it's opening night, the night I annually treat myself to some new article of GW clothing.  Not this year.  Not ever again as long as Adidas remains a partner to GW.  Now, I fully understand that little can be done at this point in time for GW to sever a relationship with Adidas.  The merchandise has been produced and is available for sale.  Don't buy it.  Any of it.  Want a shirt?  Get in touch with board regular Squid who is seliing his own shirts. 

Some of you might be wondering whether I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.  After all, Adidas did eventually come around to the correct side, right?  Unfortunately, this badly misses the point.  No company should be putting profits above hate speech of any kind.  The second Adidas announced that it was reviewing the situation, it screwed up.  Royally.  Implied in that position is maybe Ye's remarks "weren't quite so bad", or maybe this "would blow over in a few days."  Inexcusable.  Not helping matters is Adidas's early ties to nazism where it served as a weapon manufacturer for the Germans during World War II.  

So please, let's all do without any GW merchandise this one season that carries the Adidas brand name.  And GW, for next season, let's have a new apparel manufacturer in place.