Hallmark Pulls Card After Complaints of Racial Slur - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-12-2010, 04:21 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/11...elves/#content

Hallmark Pulls Card After Complaints of Racial Slur

(June 12) -- Hallmark has pulled one of its graduation cards off the shelves after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People complained that it used racial stereotypes and contained an abusive slur aimed at black women.

The card's micro speaker has two Hallmark characters, Hoops and Yoyo, bantering about how the graduate is going to dominate the universe. They tell the planets to "watch your back" and issue a stern warning to "ominous" black holes.

That's where the NAACP got angry.

They say that the audio sounds more like "black whores," and that card is implying that black women are not as capable or as powerful as their white counterparts.

"It's passive intent aggressively stated in a way that makes African-Americans feel insulted," Olivia Verrett, president of the Carson-Torrance branch of the NAACP in California told local news site The Daily Breeze.

The card is saying that "I (as a black woman) am below class, and feel as though I can run the universe, but I'm not going to run the universe because I have to watch my back," Verrett said.

Hallmark has acted swiftly. They told all their franchises to pull the card from their shelves, and destroyed their inventory of the card.

Still, the greeting-card company denies that there is any kind of racial subtext to the card, which has been on sale for three years. Spokesman Steve Doyal insisted that it is simply a light-hearted message about graduates feeling so powerful they can dominate the universe -- even matter-devouring black holes.

"The intent here is to say that this graduate is not afraid of anything," Doyal told a local ABC affiliate.

The NAACP disagrees. It's calling for a formal apology.

"I think Hallmark owes an apology," Carson City Councilwoman Lula Davis-Holmes, a member of the NAACP, told The Daily Breeze. "People are outraged."

Janice · 06-12-2010, 04:22 PM

^ Be sure to click on the link, so you can listen the card. One of the worst cases of race baiting I've ever seen.

Janice · 06-12-2010, 04:27 PM

http://www.aolnews.com/article/hallmark-yanks-card-after-complaints-of-slur-against-black-women/19513764

NAACP Urges Hallmark to Pull 'Racist' Card From Shelves
Published June 11, 2010
FOXNews.com

LOS ANGELES --- A space-themed, talking Hallmark graduation card is being pulled from store shelves because of the card’s reference to a black hole.

But members of the Los Angeles NAACP say the message sounds like "black whore" in the card's audio recording. That's how they hear it, and they say it's racist, KABC-TV in Los Angeles reported.

"That was very demeaning to African-American women when it made reference to African-American women as whores, and at the end it says 'watch your back,'" said Leon Jenkins of the Los Angeles NAACP.

The Hallmark card reads, "Hey world, we are officially putting you on notice," before playfully touting the ambitious future of the new graduate.

Characters known as "Hoops" and "Yoyo" banter on: "And you black holes, you are so ominous. Watch your back."

Hallmark calls the outrage a misunderstanding, claiming that the space theme emphasizes the power the graduate has to take over the universe, even energy-absorbing black holes.

"The intent here is to say that this graduate is not afraid of anything," explained Hallmark spokesman Steve Doyal.

Apparently, NAACP members heard something different.

spunkygirl · 06-12-2010, 04:49 PM

The card has been out for 3 years and they're just NOW complaining about it?

Maybe I'm being dense but I don't think it's even remotely racist. I think the NAACP is making a mountain out of a molehill

browneyes106 · 06-12-2010, 05:37 PM

I don't think there is anything racist about the card.

Courtnee · 06-12-2010, 08:21 PM

Oh PUUUHLEEESE.

Marvo301 · 06-12-2010, 08:58 PM

I'm the NAACP is fine orgonization and I'm sure they do good work. However in this case they seem to have gone way out of their way to find something to complain about and have in effect created a controversy where none actually exists. They only discredit themselves when they do this sort of thing.

catlover79 · 06-12-2010, 09:40 PM

What a mess.

Janice · 06-12-2010, 10:13 PM

If I was Hallmark, I wouldn't have given in to the NAACP. When and where does it end? The card's premise was clear, and the words were clear as well. It said black hole, and was referring to the Universe, as was the rest of the card. Some of these activists groups don't want an end to racism. They'll be out of a job.

Marvo301 · 06-12-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

If I was Hallmark, I wouldn't have given in to the NAACP. When and where does it end? The card's premise was clear, and the words were clear as well. It said black hole, and was referring to the Universe, as was the rest of the card. Some of these activists groups don't want an end to racism. They'll be out of a job.

You've hit the nail on the head Janice. If racism went away some of these people might have to find a real job! And they certainly don't want that!

catlover79 · 06-12-2010, 11:01 PM

I'm surprised we haven't seen Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson picketing Hallmark yet.

steevo · 06-12-2010, 11:40 PM

I listened to the card provided in the link. I heard absolutely nothing racist about it whatsoever! The NAACP, it seems, is trying to stir trouble where there clearly is none.

Family Ties Forever! · 06-13-2010, 02:47 AM

That is so stupid, imo. There is no racism in the card at all. The card talks about the universe, planets and the black holes. I wonder if someone missed a day or two of science class in school. As usual the NAACP is looking for a reason to complain and whine. They're not happy unless they are playing the race card.

cyberalias81 · 06-13-2010, 05:27 AM

This undermines the NAACP when there is real racism and discrimination, like the boy who cried wolf.

MickeyMac · 06-13-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I'm the NAACP is fine orgonization and I'm sure they do good work. However in this case they seem to have gone way out of their way to find something to complain about and have in effect created a controversy where none actually exists. They only discredit themselves when they do this sort of thing.

If you just said the NAACP is a fine organization with a straight face, then you have superhuman abilities. THe NAACP is a dinasour that need to be put out of business. They do nothing to help the black community. They live off white guilt and push the same tired ass "its the white man's fault" that keeps so many black people down in the country.

I could go on, but I'll stop here.

06-12-2010, 04:21 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Hallmark Pulls Card After Complaints of Racial Slur http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/11...elves/#content Hallmark Pulls Card After Complaints of Racial Slur (June 12) -- Hallmark has pulled one of its graduation cards off the shelves after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People complained that it used racial stereotypes and contained an abusive slur aimed at black women. The card's micro speaker has two Hallmark characters, Hoops and Yoyo, bantering about how the graduate is going to dominate the universe. They tell the planets to "watch your back" and issue a stern warning to "ominous" black holes. That's where the NAACP got angry. They say that the audio sounds more like "black whores," and that card is implying that black women are not as capable or as powerful as their white counterparts. "It's passive intent aggressively stated in a way that makes African-Americans feel insulted," Olivia Verrett, president of the Carson-Torrance branch of the NAACP in California told local news site The Daily Breeze. The card is saying that "I (as a black woman) am below class, and feel as though I can run the universe, but I'm not going to run the universe because I have to watch my back," Verrett said. Hallmark has acted swiftly. They told all their franchises to pull the card from their shelves, and destroyed their inventory of the card. Still, the greeting-card company denies that there is any kind of racial subtext to the card, which has been on sale for three years. Spokesman Steve Doyal insisted that it is simply a light-hearted message about graduates feeling so powerful they can dominate the universe -- even matter-devouring black holes. "The intent here is to say that this graduate is not afraid of anything," Doyal told a local ABC affiliate. The NAACP disagrees. It's calling for a formal apology. "I think Hallmark owes an apology," Carson City Councilwoman Lula Davis-Holmes, a member of the NAACP, told The Daily Breeze. "People are outraged."

06-12-2010, 08:21 PM	#6
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	Oh PUUUHLEEESE.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

06-12-2010, 08:58 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	I'm the NAACP is fine orgonization and I'm sure they do good work. However in this case they seem to have gone way out of their way to find something to complain about and have in effect created a controversy where none actually exists. They only discredit themselves when they do this sort of thing.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-12-2010, 09:40 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	What a mess.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-12-2010, 11:40 PM	#12
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,476	I listened to the card provided in the link. I heard absolutely nothing racist about it whatsoever! The NAACP, it seems, is trying to stir trouble where there clearly is none.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

06-12-2010, 04:22 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	^ Be sure to click on the link, so you can listen the card. One of the worst cases of race baiting I've ever seen.

06-12-2010, 04:27 PM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	http://www.aolnews.com/article/hallmark-yanks-card-after-complaints-of-slur-against-black-women/19513764 NAACP Urges Hallmark to Pull 'Racist' Card From Shelves Published June 11, 2010 FOXNews.com LOS ANGELES --- A space-themed, talking Hallmark graduation card is being pulled from store shelves because of the card’s reference to a black hole. But members of the Los Angeles NAACP say the message sounds like "black whore" in the card's audio recording. That's how they hear it, and they say it's racist, KABC-TV in Los Angeles reported. "That was very demeaning to African-American women when it made reference to African-American women as whores, and at the end it says 'watch your back,'" said Leon Jenkins of the Los Angeles NAACP. The Hallmark card reads, "Hey world, we are officially putting you on notice," before playfully touting the ambitious future of the new graduate. Characters known as "Hoops" and "Yoyo" banter on: "And you black holes, you are so ominous. Watch your back." Hallmark calls the outrage a misunderstanding, claiming that the space theme emphasizes the power the graduate has to take over the universe, even energy-absorbing black holes. "The intent here is to say that this graduate is not afraid of anything," explained Hallmark spokesman Steve Doyal. Apparently, NAACP members heard something different.

06-12-2010, 04:49 PM	#4
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	The card has been out for 3 years and they're just NOW complaining about it? Maybe I'm being dense but I don't think it's even remotely racist. I think the NAACP is making a mountain out of a molehill

06-12-2010, 05:37 PM	#5
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I don't think there is anything racist about the card.

06-12-2010, 10:13 PM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	If I was Hallmark, I wouldn't have given in to the NAACP. When and where does it end? The card's premise was clear, and the words were clear as well. It said black hole, and was referring to the Universe, as was the rest of the card. Some of these activists groups don't want an end to racism. They'll be out of a job.

06-12-2010, 11:01 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I'm surprised we haven't seen Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson picketing Hallmark yet.

06-13-2010, 02:47 AM	#13
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Star Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	That is so stupid, imo. There is no racism in the card at all. The card talks about the universe, planets and the black holes. I wonder if someone missed a day or two of science class in school. As usual the NAACP is looking for a reason to complain and whine. They're not happy unless they are playing the race card.
	__________________ Jenny

06-13-2010, 05:27 AM	#14
cyberalias81 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 13, 2009 Location: Eastern USA Posts: 124	This undermines the NAACP when there is real racism and discrimination, like the boy who cried wolf.