Typical Irish stereotypes: we're drunk, friendly leprechauns who eh, drink a LOT.
At least that's what it seems like some Americans believe, and the latest batch of Paddy's Day t-shirts for sale in giant retailer Walmart don't do much to persuade people otherwise.
Walmart's 2018 Paddy's Day clothing range includes t-shirts with slogans such as "Need help with a drinking problem? Give us a call today. Irish Anonymous" or "I'm so Irish my liver hurts."
Kevin Westley went viral in 2015 after he bought hundreds of Irish stereotype t-shirts from his local Walmart stores and then returned them on March 18. Writing on his Facebook page, Kevin says that:
"In 2016, 2017 and 2018 local Walmart stores did not sell any offensive stereotypical drinking T-shirts for St. Patrick’s Day.
“Unfortunately, the Walmart website is selling offensive drinking Irish stereotype shirts for 2018.
“I have called and tried to contact them through the website several times. Never get a reply”.
He added: “All stereotypes are bad, regardless what group they demean. Think of the thousands of job or housing opportunities have been lost because of them.
“If you agree with me, please call Walmart corporate office on their toll-free line at 1-800-925-6278. Better yet, “contact” them at help.walmart.com and let them know what you think about these T-shirts.
