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You know, I try to write about fun, light-hearted topics until I see something that jars me out of my fuzzy lavender BougieWorld. I present to you the epic fail of Target (a store I love). It appears they decided to sell a watermelon soda in an “urban” area of New York City that has a pig-tailed, grinning child in blackface. No, I’m not joking. The video is embedded below.
The problem is that racial tension bubbles so near the surface that just the idea of watermelon soda being associated with blackness is enough to set blood to boiling. No one in the buyer, marketing, stocking department thought about this? Sometimes all you can say is, "Wow."
The struggle continues, my people. Do share your thoughts on this bit of good times.
12 comments:
I actually had to watch twice, couldn't believe it's real. What is WRONG with people?
Not at Target?! That's my joint!
Co-signing... Wow.
I'm leaving now to go to Target to get me some watermelon soda-pop.
(I can't... who thought of... why would they.... Never mind.)
Come on! Has Target replied to this at all? Anything to say for themselves?
You are darn right that "the struggle continue." Witness last night's blantant disrespect of the President during his speech -- a Repub. calling him a "lie". WTF. Never in the history of a presidential speech has something like this happened. Shameless.
Now back to Target. This is unacceptable. But I can see how something like this can happen, so easily. If there was more diversity, in higher-levels at companies like Target, offensive (and ignorant) campaign,s such as this, would be stopped at the gate.
What the heck?? I mean really? Are.they.serious. Sadly I'm not shocked, appalled in deed but not shocked. And if no one says anything then it will stay, which is a sad truth. African-Americans aren't the only ones who like watermelon and not all of us like watermelon, in fact as I get older I don't care for it too much anymore. Has Target taken it off the shelves yet? I'm not a big Target fan anyway but I hope they have sense enough to take it down. Goodness gracious.
-Lady4Christ
My name is Joshua Thomas and I work in Target’s Communications department. I’ve been working with our buying team on this situation and wanted to share an update.
First and foremost, it is never Target’s intent to offend any of our customers – or guests as we call them at Target – with the products we offer. If any product raises questions or concerns, we listen to our guests. That’s exactly what happened here. As soon as we were made aware of the concerns about this soda, we removed it from our shelves.
We sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this soda and assure you that we’re going to learn something from this situation that we can apply down the road. That doesn’t mean we’ll always get it just right, but hopefully it shows that we’re listening.
Thanks for sharing your concerns, and again, I apologize on behalf of Target. If you’d like to speak with someone at the company or have feedback you’d like us to hear, I’d encourage you to contact our Guest Relations team at guest.relations@target.com.
Thank you Joshua, I truly appreciate your response. I personally love Target and would hate to give it up over poorly-thought out soda. Again, thanks for the update and hearing my concern.
OneChele, no free giftcards?
I thought about asking for giftcard reparations but decided to take the win :)
Joshua's post & apology for his employer is appreciated but Target continues to discriminate & offend it's customers leading to settlements and law suits. Below is just a drop in the bucket compared to all I've researched & found on Target. Please read 'Target Wikipedia" under criticism and diversity!
In 2002, the company was alerted to sporting caps and shorts having the number "88" embroidered on them. This number has been used by known white supremacist groups as slang for "Heil Hitler". A customer informed the company of the offensive merchandise. Target did not pull the merchandise or issue public apology until the Southern Poverty Law Center echoed its concern and the media began reporting on the issue.<sup></sup>
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The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has repeatedly given Target failing grades on its annual Economic Reciprocity Initiative report card, a measure of the company's "commitment to the African-American citizenry". In 2003 and 2005, the NAACP has rated Target an "F" on this report; in 2004, Target was rated a "D-".<sup></sup><sup></sup><sup></sup> In 2006, when Target was asked why it didn't participate in the survey again,<sup></sup> a representative explained, "Target views diversity as being inclusive of all people from all different backgrounds, not just one group."<sup></sup>
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