As if everything wasn’t already enough in the #BlackLivesMatter news department there’s now questions, comments, and Heat Over Trademark of #ICantBreathe for Money by an Illinois woman trying to market the hashtag on various clothing items, including hoodies. Her story, (and she’s sticking to it) is that she’s been on the phrase since it popped off late summer, has “nothing to do with the Garner family,” and is not in it for the money. Riiiiight….
Well C.R.E.A.M. indeed and word to Troy Ave, no one has to tell us twice that’s while it’s also about race…”It’s ALL about the money.” As Catherine Crump of Waukegan, Illinois has sparked Heat Over Trademark of #ICantBreathe for Money, she continues her vague claim that while she DOES want the hashtag rights (and has already had her application in), her intention was just to market the clothes…oh worrrrd?
Heat Over Trademark of #ICantBreathe for Money comes on the heels of other attempts to coin the staple phrases of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It’s reported that in the past few months of these events other attempts have been made:
“Three similar entrepreneurs have filed to trademark the phrase “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” for use on clothing items. Each of those USPTO applications was filed within three weeks of the August 9 death of Michael Brown, the unarmed teenager who was shot to death by a cop in Ferguson, Missouri.”
There’s no surprise that there’s Heat Over Trademark of #ICantBreathe for Money though it’s especially disrespectful to try and corner the market in this way, as we know “I can’t breathe” were Eric Garner’s last words–11 times. Those of us who are forever haunted by that video and the sound of that phrase repeatedly coming from Garner’s mouth (and those of us with collective sense) certainly do not see a plausible motive for going after a trademark if its not about money. Her admission that this has “nothing to do with the Garner family” is evidence enough. If anything…any use of sales or promotion stemming from this situation should have EVERYTHING to do with the Garner family. That’s where you f**ked up Catherine.
SMH
