Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Couple Receives Huge Backlash After Releasing ‘Wear Their Names’ Jewelry Made Out Of Shattered Glass From Charleston Riot
User submission
113
20.8K

Couple Receives Huge Backlash After Releasing ‘Wear Their Names’ Jewelry Made Out Of Shattered Glass From Charleston Riot

ADVERTISEMENT

With everything going on surrounding the recent Black Lives Matter protests, people all around the world have been looking for ways to become a part of this movement and honor the victims of racism and police brutality. However, not everyone’s attempts happened to turn out successful.

Recently, a guy named Paul Chelmis along with his girlfriend Jing Wen released a jewellery line where every piece is made out of the shattered glass from the Charleston riot. Moreover, they called the line “Wear Their Names” since every item in the collection is named after black people who died at the hands of injustice.

More info: shanshuistudio.com

After hearing about this brand, thousands of people were absolutely pissed

Image credits: sophieming_

According to Charleston Scene, on the evening of May 30, when peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters gathering in the honor of George Floyd were replaced by rioters shattering the windows of several King Street businesses, the couple were in Summerville. While watching the Facebook live capturing the riot, Chelmis wanted more than anything to be in the middle of the chaos with his camera and documment everything.

“I’m kicking myself for not gathering 10 times as much glass”

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: paulwhoislost

That night while ruminating about the whole situation, the couple came up with the idea to “make something beautiful out of the rubble.” The next morning, Chelmis and Wen drove downtown to see the aftermath with a mission to collect the shards of shattered glass lining the street.

The couple decided to use shattered glass for creating a line of jewellery

Image credits: paulwhoislost

Chelmis and Wen decided to name each item in the line after the names of those who died at the hands of injustice. Apparently, there was supposed to be The Tamir (Rice), The Ezell (Ford), The Tanisha (Pughsley), The Trayvon (Martin), The Gabriella (Nevarez), The Breonna (Taylor), The Eric (Garner) and The Elijah (McClain). Moreover, they came up with an idea to call the line “Wear Their Names” since the phrase “Say Their Names” has become a slogan for the Black Lives Matter movement.

ADVERTISEMENT

The couple called their brand “Wear Their Names”

Image credits: paulwhoislost

While creating the line, the couple turned to their friend and a powerful voice in the music scene, Kanika Moore, for assurance and advice. “When Paul came to me with the idea, he really wanted to make sure that it would be perceived the right way. He was cautious about it and the way it would be viewed. He wanted it to be a positive influence,” Moore told Charleston Scene. Apparently, she was in full support of the project.

They were also planning on donating all proceeds to Black Lives Matter

Image credits: sophieming_

Chelmis and Wen came up with 8 designs for their line

Image credits: paulwhoislost

ADVERTISEMENT

After hearing about the upcoming launch of this new jewellery line, people were absolutely pissed. Many were pointing out how these guys were simply trying to profit off the pain of others and how it all just seems like a terrible marketing trick. Some people were okay with them using the shattered glass from the riot but thought that naming the pieces after the names of the victims was absolutely unethical.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many think this idea was insensitive and disrespectful to the victims and their families

Image credits: sophieming_

“I can understand why someone may want to use the glass to make a piece of jewellery to memorialize the deaths. However, I feel if someone chooses to do that, it is a private and intimate matter and shouldn’t be made into an online store??” someone wrote on Twitter.

Many were angry that the couple is making jewellery out of the shattered glass from the riot when they haven’t even been to the riot themselves.

After getting the negative feedback, the line has since been canceled

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: shanshuistudio

The couple has since come out with an apology that you can find on the web page that was supposed to be the platform for their online store. “So sorry to those we offended or harmed. While our intentions were pure and we consulted with a wide variety of people before launching, it is clear that there are issues with the approach we took,” the couple wrote in their statement. “Though we only wanted to honor the victim’s names and retell their story, we see now that using those names was inappropriate and in poor taste.”

Here are some more thoughts on the “Wear Their Names” jewellery line

Image credits: sophieming_

Image credits: sophieming_

Image credits: Sincerely_Ai

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: justtlhalefo

Image credits: hopeisinvain

Image credits: fulljungleazn

Image credits: faciliheir

Image credits: sleepyamel

Image credits: 16pxl

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: zoe_diamonds

Image credits: SULJlCS

Image credits: botanicalbxtch

21Kviews

Share on Facebook
Julija Svidraitė

Julija Svidraitė

Author, Community member

Read more »

Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

Read less »
Julija Svidraitė

Julija Svidraitė

Author, Community member

Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

Lukas Garnelis

Lukas Garnelis

Author, Community member

Read more »

Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

Read less »

Lukas Garnelis

Lukas Garnelis

Author, Community member

Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
Cat Nip Gal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be a good idea IF they asked each family if they wanted to do it and donate all of the money made of that piece to them.

Kuman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that it was a noble effort, but they went about it in completely the wrong way. Creating jewelry from the event and donating the proceeds to charity? Perfectly fine. The naming, however, was a bit in poor taste. I would've just called the collection "Say Their Names" or something and ended it at that. Titling each piece with a name just brings on a whole new connotation. Also, I don't fault them for wanting to make a profit, since they need income to continue making more. Donating a percent of the proceeds is a perfect idea. (And to that one person who mentioned it seemed like slave trade - I disagree. The prices are different because it costs different to make each piece. That's all.) Honestly, it seems like the only issue was the insensitive naming. Other than that, I don't think the other points were very justified - they probably wouldn't have been brought up had the naming not happened.

Steve Barnett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but isn't this also technically theft? You don't and didn't own the glass? I know it might seem a small point, but.

Load More Comments
Cat Nip Gal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be a good idea IF they asked each family if they wanted to do it and donate all of the money made of that piece to them.

Kuman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that it was a noble effort, but they went about it in completely the wrong way. Creating jewelry from the event and donating the proceeds to charity? Perfectly fine. The naming, however, was a bit in poor taste. I would've just called the collection "Say Their Names" or something and ended it at that. Titling each piece with a name just brings on a whole new connotation. Also, I don't fault them for wanting to make a profit, since they need income to continue making more. Donating a percent of the proceeds is a perfect idea. (And to that one person who mentioned it seemed like slave trade - I disagree. The prices are different because it costs different to make each piece. That's all.) Honestly, it seems like the only issue was the insensitive naming. Other than that, I don't think the other points were very justified - they probably wouldn't have been brought up had the naming not happened.

Steve Barnett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but isn't this also technically theft? You don't and didn't own the glass? I know it might seem a small point, but.

Load More Comments
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda