John Galliano's Anti-Semitism

On March 1, 2011 a video surfaced of John Galliano, the head designer of Dior, making Anti-Semitic comments at a bar in France. John Galliano is one of the world’s most famous and accomplished fashion designers. Since 1996 he has worked as the head designer for the Christian Dior label. With Galliano’s creative and artistic abilities, he has been able to make some of the most beautiful, intricate pieces of clothing. Whilst at a bar in France, John Galliano was caught on video saying Anti-Semitic things such as “I love Hitler” and “your foremothers, your forefathers would be gassed” and “people like you would be dead.” In France it is illegal to act upon racial hatred, so Galliano must appear at a court trial. As well as facing legal troubles, Galliano was fired from Dior because the company does not want any negativity around the brand. Many people have boycotted Galliano’s work, including Natalie Portman, who is currently the spokesperson for Dior’s perfume Miss Cherie. She made public statements saying that as a proud Jewish woman, she will no longer be affiliated with Galliano in any way. I think John Galliano’s words of hatred were absolutely disgusting and it’s absurd that such an influential name in the fashion industry can engage in such frowned upon behavior. His words are appalling and it’s upsetting to know that someone you once looked up to can disappoint you in such a manner. To see that this hatred is still so prominent in the world is extremely unsettling and I hope this incident will set an example for how hurtful Anti-Semitism is and for the ramifications of this type of behavior.