The internet went off this morning after The Mahjong Line went viral for their newly designed Mahjong tiles. The three women who launched this project are being accused of gentrifying Mahjong, a tile based game that originated in China and is now played all over the world.
They are facing major backlash with their new tile designs, claiming that the original and traditional tiles were not to their liking. As stated in the company's website:
On a quest to purchase her first Mahjong set, Kate discovered that the artwork of the traditional tiles, while beautiful, was all the same – and did not reflect the fun that was had when playing with her friends.
Additionally, their Mahjong sets are priced from $325-$425. New tiles include bags of flour, cupcakes, palm trees and more.
Twitter definitely had a lot to say! What do you think about this whole situation?
---
UPDATE 4:35 PM:
The Mahjong Line released the following statement:
"We launched this company in November of 2020 with pure intentions and a shared love for the game of American Mahjong, which carries a rich history here in the United States. Our mission is to combine our passion for art and color alongside the fun of the game while seeking to appeal to novices and experienced players alike. American Mahjong tiles have evolved for many decades and we'd like to be part of this evolution in the most respectful and authentic way possible.
While our intent to inspire and engage with a new generation of American mahjong players, we recognize our failure to pay proper homage to the game's Chinese heritage. Using words like "refresh" were hurtful to many and we are deeply sorry.
It's imperative our followers know we never set out to ignore pr misrepresent the origins of this game and know there are more conversations to be had and steps to take as we learn and grow. We are always open to constructive criticism and are continuing to conduct conversations with those who can provide further insight to the game's traditions and roots in both Chinese and American cultures.
See their apology below.
Photo Source: Getty Images