To exploit or not to exploit, that is the question!

SOMEBODY refers to the The Crazy Robertson clothing label.

TCR was founded in 2007 by a trio of young entrepreneurs who named their label after John Jermien; a lucid homeless man who has spent the last 20 years dancing around Los Angeles on roller-skates.

For years LA locals have referred to John as ‘The Crazy Robertson’ or ‘The Robertson Dancer’ based on his regular proximity to Robertson Boulevard.

The TCR founders spent months ‘befriending’ the 58-year-old.

“At first we had no intention of making a clothing line. We just wanted to be his friend.”

Aha…

The friendship blossomed when John signed over his image rights for a range of t-shirts, hats, hoodies and wallets.

TCR’s ‘No Money, No Problems’ tees have flown off the shelves of LA’s boutiques faster than a homeless guy can sniff out a half-used pack of smokes.

And what does the real Crazy Robertson score for being such a valuable source of parody?

5 per cent of net profits.

WTF?

According the The Wall Street Journal John signed off on the 5 per cent stake without consulting any friends or lawyers.

The label’s owners claim he isn’t focused on the Benjamins and is more interested in receiving food, alcohol, new roller-skates and paper for his arts projects.

“People don’t understand. Jermien chooses to live like he does. He embraces street life. He’s family. We’re his inner circle.”

Whatever!

5 per cent of net profits is a shitty deal for a supposed ‘family’ member.

The spiritual soul of TCR deserves a bigger slice of the exploitation pie…