The REAL Issue With That Racially Offensive Home Depot Tweet

Last week, everybody was up in arms about a racially insensitive tweet that Home Depot posted from their company account.   

Take a look: 

Pretty offensive, right?  Yep.  There's no need for me to go into details about WHY it's offensive. If you don't know, I honestly don't have the time or energy to break it down for you.  But take it from me - a reasonable, rational, super nice, liberal black woman with a great smile - It. Is Offensive.  

OK-enough about me...  

So, listen.  I like Home Depot (told you I was nice).  I shop there often and when I purchased my new home five years ago, I visited their store 4-5 times a week for months.  I was there so much the staff knew me by name!   

From a PR perspective, I commend Home Depot for taking swift action after this tweet was posted. They acknowledged it was wrong, stated their zero tolerance policy for things like this and terminated the agency and employee who were responsible for the post. They're also reviewing their social media policy so that incidents like this won't happen again.    

But here's the real issue with that tweet.  It shows first-hand the lack of racial diversity among employees in major corporations and national advertising agencies in this country. In other words - I can almost guarantee you, there were no African Americans in those initial meetings about the content of this post. That tweet was posted by someone who didn't know any better and/or someone who has had little to no racial sensitivity training. Either way, it's bad. 

I'd like to think if there was an African American employee working on this project and someone suggested this terrible tweet, that employee would have paused and said, "Wait. A monkey and black men?  Hell no."  Crisis averted. 

Companies aren't perfect. What happened with Home Depot could have happened to any Fortune 500 company in America.  But if corporations want to continue to grow and prosper, they should have a diverse and inclusive employee base - from the board room to the mail room.  Why? Diversity breeds a culture of fresh creativity and innovation.  It allows people from various backgrounds to contribute to the success of the business.  

If companies don't embrace diversity and understand the importance of cultural sensitivity, we'll continue to see these kinds of public mishaps and crude blunders.  

Note: Diversity = Attributes such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, age, etc. 

  

4 Little Girls You Should Never Forget

September 15, 1963.  Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama.  

The bombing (planted by the Ku Klux Klan) happened during Sunday school, as a symbol of opposition to racial equality and civil rights.  The explosion ripped through the church and killed 11-year-old Denise McNair, and 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. 

The incident represented a terrible way of life during the civil rights movement.  One that was full of violence, bombings, lynchings and hatred.  This bombing was especially painful because these were children.  Four little innocent, beautiful girls...attending Sunday school.  

It took many years for authorities to solve the case.  *blank stare*  Three Ku Klux Klansmen were eventually convicted in the bombings.  Robert "Dynamite" Chambliss was convicted for his role in the bombing in 1977 (died in prison in 1985).  Bobby Cherry was convicted in 2002 (died in prison, two years after the conviction). Thomas Blanton was convicted in 2001, and is still serving a life term.  A fourth suspect, Herman Cash died in 1994 without ever serving a day behind bars. 

As we look back on this terrible act, let's always remember and honor those four little girls. Share their story with younger generations.  Talk about it.  Keep their legacy alive. 

Top: Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson
Bottom: Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair

** Last week, Congress bestowed its highest civilian honor to Cynthia, Carole, Addie Mae and Denise with a presentation of Congressional Gold Medals for heroism. **
  

Hey Paula (My Open Letter To Paula Deen) *sigh*

It's 2013 and folks are still out here spewing racist hatred in these streets....  Case in point: Celebrity chef, Paula Deen. She recently admitted to using the N-word, telling racist jokes and wait for it...wait for it - wanting African American employees to dress/act like slaves for a big wedding she was planning. *sigh* Slaves at a !&@% wedding. *sighs again*  Here's my open letter to her: 

Hey Paula, 

First, let me say - I would have preferred to do this face-to-face. I want nothing more than to look into your big, beautiful, blue eyes and tell you some things.  BUT--this could get ugly.  So maybe it's best this way. No, wait.  What am I saying?  I'm a lady, so I'll always take the high road.  Claire Huxtable taught me that. No ugliness here. 

Anyway...You know, I've always admired you. I love a "come-up" story and you've got one of the best. You've overcome a lot and accomplished such great things in your life. Oprah herself even called you an inspiration to women. So did Michelle Obama. And up until about 24 hours ago, I agreed with them. 

But things have changed, Paula.  Things. Have. Changed.

Listen. I'm a black woman, OK.  So I know racism is alive and well in this country.  And I know there are no perfect people. We all make mistakes. We all mess up. We all do stupid things. I get it. However--and this is a big however, when it comes to racist remarks/behavior, things are different. 

It's hard to forgive when it comes to racism.  Not impossible.  But very, very difficult.  Why?  Real prejudice takes dedication.  It's a genuine representation of your heart.  The real deal.  You can't fake hatred. That comes from deep down in your soul, Paula. 

And it's crazy because the African American community has welcomed you into our homes for years. We've patronized your businesses, supported your family projects and helped you build your empire (Yeah, I know about Dora Charles).  And THIS is what you think of us?  Damn shame. 

To make matters worse, it's been more than a day since your comments hit the news and you haven't said a word. Your lawyer gave a weak, tired response, but you?  Nothing.  No apology.  No explanation.  No remorse.  Nada.  

Things have definitely changed, Paula....

I've decided not to support you or your brand moving forward.  Can't do it.  I really hope you've learned a valuable lesson from this.  Mainly about respect, sensitivity and tolerance.  But more importantly, I hope you can take this situation and turn it into an opportunity to teach your grandkids and others that racism, no matter what shape or form it comes in is wrong.  Plain and simple. 

-Steph 

Paula Deen

Just When I Thought I'd Seen It All, God Said Not So Fast (Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods & European Tour CEO)

Lord.  *sigh*  Yes--I started a post with a call-out to LJC (Lord Jesus Christ).  *heating up my prayer oil lamp, lighting a candle*  Yes--it's that bad.  

So, listen.  Everybody knows Tiger Woods, right?  Well--for the past few weeks, he and Sergio Garcia, a professional golfer from Spain have been going back and forth in a war of words.  The two men have been going at it since The Player's Championship earlier this month.  That's when Sergio implied that Tiger had purposely stirred up the gallery when he was playing a shot.  Tiger snapped back and said he wasn't surprised that Sergio was complaining.   *cue the dramatic music*  

Sergio Garcia

Everything came to a screeching halt earlier this week when Sergio answered a question at a European Tour players dinner about getting together with Tiger at the U.S. Open. Sergio jokingly answered: 

"We'll have him 'round every night.  We will serve fried chicken."

*blank stare* 

I know what you're thinking: He said what?!?! Rewind that.  Did he say, "We will serve fried chicken?"  He said it alright.  

But wait, there's more.  After Sergio apologized publicly for his racist remark, the CEO of the European Tour, George O'Grady was asked to give a comment about the situation.  And what did he say? 

"Most of Sergio's friends are colored athletes in the United States."

Mr. O'Grady has since apologized as well.  *sigh* 

I could go on and on about this, but I won't.  It is what it is.  Sad, really.  And totally unacceptable.  These comments were hurtful to Tiger Woods, but they also demonstrate irresponsible ignorance and a lack of sensitivity towards African Americans. 

Sergio's remarks were wrong.  George O'Grady's remarks were wrong.  Plain and simple.  Both men have apologized, but is it enough?  No, it's not.  Not without consequences.  This is definitely an opportunity to educate, and teach right from wrong. But it's also an opportunity to show that these racially offensive and inappropriate statements will not be tolerated.  Will the PGA do the right thing and take a stand?  I sure hope so.  

 Ok, I'm done.  *blows out my prayer oil lamp and candle*