Reebok Renames Controversial ‘Kamikaze’ Shoes To Respect WWII Victims
Reebok’s Kamikaze basketball shoes, the first signature launch for Shawn Kemp of the Seattle Supersonics that has been among the favorites of sneaker aficionados since 1994, are finally getting a name change.
The company announced it will be officially renaming the shoes to ‘Hurrikaze’, ditching the former name referring to aerial suicide attacks by Japanese pilots, as per Input.
According to Sneaker News, the existing Kamikaze shoes will be sold together with the new Hurrikaze products throughout 2022 until they are all phased out.
“We have a responsibility to be accountable, learn, and grow as a brand, and although we can’t change the past we can most definitely impact change for our future,” said Portia Blunt, Reebok’s Vice President of Global Apparel.
“By making this change we signal growth and acknowledge the impact words have on those we serve within our diverse global sneaker community,” she added.
[via Sneaker News and Input, cover image via Reebok]
