Snowman Shirts Seen as Drug Symbolism November 14, 2005
News Summary
Popular t-shirts featuring a stern-looking snowman are being marketed by rapper Young Jeezy, but critics see more than seasonal whimsy in the image, the Associated Press reported Nov. 9.Young Jeezy sings a song, "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101," whose lyrics include cocaine references and the lyrics: "Jeezy the Snowman / I'm iced out, plus I got that snow, man."
Anti-drug activists are worried that parents may not have any idea about the symbolism behind the snowman shirts. "This is part of a phenomena in which parents have no idea what their children are exposed to," said Sue Rusche, president and CEO of National Families In Action. "There is a code that children are aware of, but not parents."
The company that produces the shirts, Miskeen Originals of New Jersey, is aware of the drug message. "I wasn't sure what the snowman meant until the artist explained to me that it was a drug dealer, the man delivering snow," said company owner Yaniv Zaken. "Now everyone is selling the snowman -- all unlicensed. It's become a street-hood hit worldwide."
Young Jeezy's label, Def Jam, declined to address concerns about the drug message being delivered by the shirts.
"The research tells us that influences coming from the media can have a profound effect on kids and influence them to use drugs," said Gilbert Botvin, director of the Institute for Prevention Research at Cornell University Medical College. "All of these things help to convey the impression that engaging in these behaviors using drugs is normal and that drugs might help you be successful or sexy or something."
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