Again, we removed the title one day after the article went up (which is almost two weeks ago now) and if we haven’t said it – we are SORRY if it offended anyone. Time we received the comments I removed it.

I said “wow” – cause I honestly didn’t know it was a problem to use the word. Not “wow” in a negative way.

I can’t go back and forth defending Clutch when we have already acknowledged our error and I also agree with your comment you made with your other user name “Tomi” – we (Clutch) are not above error and we are THANKFUL our readers call us out and school us on things we do not know about. Thanks again for your comments and you can be assured that we will be more careful with our use of wording.

If anyone would like to continue this conversation please feel free to email me @ dsutton@clutchmagonline.com.

Thanks. Comments are now closed.

Dede

” Wow. The use of the word is not in anyway negative.”
When it refers to a continent as opposed to an actual tribe…Wow, it is!

” We felt that some of the lines had some tribal elements. Meaning prints and patterns”
Really! Which tribes are those?

“We would never use any words or anything to down Africa or any other country.”
um….Africa isnt a country.

We all love Clutch and applaud your efforts and no one assumes that you would ever try to diss a whole continent, but it is important to bring your actions inline with your intentions.

Aside from that the designers are great and this little debate hasnt taken away from their fabulous work in anyway.

*steps down from soapbox*

Vogue using the term “tribal” when describing clothes with any “african” references doesnt give everyone else a green light to be ignorant and despite Yvette pointing out that there are so many tribes in the world Vogue ONLY uses that term when referring to Africa. (their other favourite euphemism is “safari chic”).

The term is offensive for the same reason that it is offensive for a fashion spread with a black model to ALWAYS be deemed “Ghetto Fabulous” and Michelle Obama has to be a “Baby-mama” because she is black. There was a time when Nigger was a ” word that MOST Americans would see nothing wrong with” but that didnt mean it wasnt offensive to the people on the receiving end who fought to be recognised as human beings

@Yvette, what really gets ME mad is the rude, ignorant, dismissive and prejudiced way you get your point across and I’d like to reassure Sonique that you do not speak for ALL African-Americans.

And Dede, thank you for changing the title of the article.

I actually saw Tribal Chic in Vogue before to describe African prints. Ethic or Tribal – there are tribes all over the world – not just Africa. I sure didn’t know tribal was a bad word – and I am sure Clutch and other Black Americans didn’t know as well. You have to realize not everyone knows what Africans (especially those who don’t have any family there or most of us in America don’t know our African family/linage) like or don’t like. Most of us here in the states just don’t know – what words that Africans are offended by – I sure wouldn’t have thought “tribal” was one.)

It’s hard enough for these designers to get the recognition they deserve and for you to come in an make a statement about a word that MOST Americans would see nothing wrong with. It was not meant negative or as a fad it describe the patterns elements.

I swear I dont know how Clutch deals with some of their readers. They try so hard to put something out that’s different and fresh and it’s no satisfying some of you. You know this site. They have never did anything to down or highlight women of color in a negative light.

To all of the designers mentioned. I am sorry that what was supposed to be a great pieces turned sour.

And Sonique – I am disappointed in you for assuming that everyone knows what you are talking about. And coming in a positive piece for these emerging designers and bring a issue up that if you would have just EMAILED Clutch (instead of making a comment) and explained why the wording may run some Africans the wrong way —- that would have been best. That way you can EDUCATE people. You need to know that everyone didn’t see a problem with the word and WHY is that? Cause we didn’t know.

@Nikki: I grew up in Central Africa and own several outfits made out of dutch wax, to me it’s just not a fashion trend or fad, but my heritage. This is a far cry from “tribal” ceremonial african wear. Heck, it’s what we wear everyday.