“Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.”
These were the words of Mike Jeffries, the chief executive officer of trendy clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, spoken in a 2013 interview with Salon, the online news and entertainment website.
That this was the policy of his company is not surprising; lots of retailers aim their products at a specific demographic (rarely mine, I can tell you) and ignore all others.
But none have been so bold – or brave – to publicly state that they don’t want overweight, older or ‘unattractive’ people anywhere near their products.
I was fascinated by the resulting controversy; many people, media outlets and websites reacted almost violently to Jefferies. Some online posters even searched out and shared the most unflattering photos of the CEO that they could find.
But isn’t it clear that Abercrombie & Fitch’s philosophy is exactly how our world works? Haven’t you seen or heard advertisements for condominiums that emphasize how exclusive they are? And aren’t certain restaurants trendy because they are exclusive? What about golf and country clubs – don’t they attract a certain kind of person who likes their exclusivity?
More important, aren’t there times in our lives when most of us – me included – have yearned for a meal in that exclusive eatery or lusted after a unit in that trendy housing project? We actually want to exclude others.
In some ways, I appreciate Mike Jeffries thrusting this unpleasant human characteristic into the spotlight. It gives me a chance to examine my own thinking patterns. It also highlights one big reason why I hold fast to my faith in Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is God’s Son.
You may have been told, or come to believe, that following Jesus is exclusionary – that only people in the club get to spend eternity in Heaven with God and Jesus.
Serious Jesus followers do believe that because in one of the original source documents of His life, Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.”
But what the critics of Jesus don’t tell you is anyone – and I mean ANYONE – can join Jesus in Heaven. God presents His son as a GIFT to every man, woman and child on planet Earth. Gifts are made to be accepted and that’s all you and me have to do to get in on this so-called “exclusive” offer.
When you tell God you want to trust in His son (who many people believe died to make up for all the wrong things we’ve done and the right things we’ve failed to do), the slate is wiped clean. No matter how ugly your past might be.
How inclusive is this gift? It’s open to Mike Jefferies, it’s open to me, it’s open to YOU, it’s even open to the most reprehensible kind of person (read one such story here: http://wp.me/p2wzRb-6K).
So what do you think of this gift? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
This is great. Thanks for sharing–God bless.
And thank YOU for reading it. 🙂
As much as I appreciate you embracing your faith, tying religion to exclusion of certain people buying A&F’s clothes is irrelevant. I see what you’ve done here, but the two have nothing to do with one another.
My problem is that it’s discrimination. Unfortunately, that’s the kind of business they want, the kind that is full of the ugliest kind of human nature, basing it on someone’s looks. It’s sad and I totally disagree with Mr. Jeffries’ philosophy, but his store isn’t the kind of establishment I would shop at anyway.
To my mind, one has everything to do with the other. This world is all about excluding while God’s world is all about including. Thanks for reading and commenting; I appreciate it! 🙂
God’s gift of acceptance when we accept Him through Jesus is everything. I thought you did an excellent job, Frank, of exposing the world’s penchant to be exclusive and juxtaposing it to how “the world” can view Christianity.
We are not a country club or secret society, we do not require the “right” heights or weights to be included. Everyone is welcomed. Everyone is loved with a true love.
Keep bringing these thought-provoking messages to us, my friend!
Happy to do that, Martha! 🙂
Kudos! What a great article! The world is so preoccupied with keeping up appearances – whether through cosmetic procedures, or things more subtle, such as the logo on our jeans, the car we drive or the people we prefer to associate with. I thank God that the Gospel message is for whosoever will!
Thanks, Brook. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments. 🙂
Good job exposing the lies of the enemy Frank.
Thanks, Cindy! 🙂
A common load of bull.. exclusionary is the method of the old world. Caste systems and the like. This world is about people having the opportunity of being extraordinarily themselves, in the genius of collaboration and overcoming adversity.
I’m sure you would argue against affirmative action and quotas, because these are inclusionary methods, bringing different people and perspectives to the table that traditionally has one or few, from the same class, etc. or schools giving free student loans or loan forgiveness because it gives opportunity to the poor and destitute.
There are boutique plus sized shops that are raking in the dough because companies like these are too one-size-fits-all … this model will be their doom. Type cast and become old fashioned. You think the popular kids are the trend setters? It’s usually the ones that struggle to define themselves.
Joseph, I think we’re going to agree to disagree on pretty much everything you wrote. For example, caste systems (real in places in like India, subtle in rich North America) are still firmly in place.
And I wouldn’t necessarily argue with affirmative action or quotas, provided they are done prudently and realistically.
Either way, thanks for reading and commenting, Joseph. I appreciate it. 🙂