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POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

A space-themed graduation card has been removed from store shelves after members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) called the card “offensive to black women” and demanded it be pulled.

hallmark_card

The card talks about the solar system and refers to planets and those “ominous” black holes. The trouble started when NAACP members heard something other than “holes.”

Hallmark seemed surprised, as the card has been sold for several years and is not intended to be anything other then a graduation greeting. Still, they apologized and complied.

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

One NAACP member said "it sounds like a group of children laughing and joking about blackness, again.”

One writer at Discover Magazine worries that instances like this hurt the overall cause of fighting racism:

    “When anyone accuses someone else of racism when it’s not there, it hurts the overall cause. Given the press this has received, it’s the LA NAACP’s credibility that has taken a hit, not Hallmark’s. Crying wolf diminishes the NAACP’s work, and will make it harder for them to fight real racism the next time it pops up.”

What do you think?

[poll id="200"]

Via Discover


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COMMENTS (40)
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Bishsume

Bishsume says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous; You can hear the "offensive" audio in the video, and the word is clearly 'holes'.

KennyAMV

KennyAMV says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

nigga please.

Sw33tPandaZ

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

I'm not really sure if this was all that reasonable... I mean the card has been in the market for 3 years, so why would it be called offensive now instead of when it first hit the markets... "/
The theme is evident... oh well.

stellacat

stellacat says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Uh...I definitely hear holes. The only thing it could possibly be misconstrued as is 'hoe'. Where the heck did they get 'whore' from?

Monkae

Monkae says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Playing the race card over a greetings card? Wow...

Meganinski

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

This was not a reasonable claim, the theme here is evident, and even if someone thought the "l" in holes is hard to here, the word "hoes" clearly doesn't fit the theme. This card is not racist, not in the least.

Kassandra

Kassandra says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Hmmm, so the card has been out for three years and someone is just now "noticing" this? Right.

Kassandra

Kassandra says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

And before watching I thought they'd claim it said "hoes", which MIGHT be reasonable...but it sounds nothing like "whores" at all.

Michele Leigh

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

This kinda makes me sick. Really, guys? In today's world of bigots and racists, you choose to attack a greeting card company? Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Lavish

Lavish says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Sounds like holes.
In fact, there's brilliant diction here. It is holes.
I can't imagine where they got any other word.
I wouldn't worry about that portion anyway, the beginning of the card sounds more offensive than 'holes' ever will.

Huh~

CMB2012

CMB2012 says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

This is really pathetic to cause more problems with something as simple as a Hallmark card by calling it 'racist' and 'offensive' when it really isn't whatsoever.

MonksPoint

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

just looking for something to complain about.

zu3s101

zu3s101 says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

this is beyond ridiculous! It clearly said holes. And it clearly says "planets" watch your back not "black whores" watch your back! -_-

organic™

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Um. What? If they accidentally left out the L I could understand why they're making a fuss, but I clearly heard "holes." Someone needs to calm down.

Katelyn Nestle

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Ohwow. I got this card for my friend for her graduation a couple weeks ago... :D

Zafrand

Zafrand says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

this is stupid. how could someone hear something like that when the card is clearly talking about the solar system? Obviously, someone either can't hear correctly or is looking for trouble. To look for trouble like this is sad because the next thing that happens is anytime anyone says something that sounds like a racist comment, they will be accused of racisum. And for someone like me who never singles out people for race, sexuality, etc, this is just upsetting.

DIAMOND, I AM [ltl]

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

That is ridiculous.
Society is chalk full of over-sensitive and PC people who are just trying to get something out of nothing.
Go cry to somebody else, seriously.

amberXXrae

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

i've seen this card before, actually i think my cousin had one. and that never even crossed my mind. this was clearly just a misunderstanding. because it was a good card, and wasn't aimed at anything like that. it shouldn't even have been a question, in my opinion. the whole card is talking about planets and solar system, so hearing that here, seems like intentionally searching for things to point fingers at, that aren't really there. i don't think there should be degrading material anywhere, but if there gonna go after something, go after media and Tons of other things. not this card that was miles away from this.

marigrace

marigrace says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Wow. this is ridiculously blown out of proportion.

UnicornPookie

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Why take so long to make it offensive. It's been out for three years, so what's up with the delay?? However, black people have the same rights as white people or anyone else on the planet as far as I am concerned. Take the skins off everyone, and we are all the same. Look THROUGH the skin, not AT the skin.

AtomicCafe

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

While we're at it, let's ban all astronomy classes in high schools and universities just in case someone has to suffer the indignities of hearing more about black holes.

froggydarlin

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Okay, I definitely hear the word "holes". I don't know if I'm mishearing it our what- but that's definitely what I heard.

Tucci

Tucci says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

This is silly. Of course racism is wrong, and should be fought where ever it exists, but this is just not racist...at least I didn't hear or see any racist content. Maybe I'm wrong.

sticks.stones.techno

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

this is so dumb...it says 'black holes' mocking the rest of the solar system, not black people

Cie

Cie says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

is it just me, or is everyone racist against themselves?
and KennyAMV, thank you lmao

PanaC

PanaC says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Black people are racist against green and pink rabbit things

Goofy_Heifer

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

black holes are ominous because they tear you apart till your nothing... that's pretty evil to me.

naila

naila says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

I agree with Bishsume; this is ridiculous and if they did have a problem with the card why not remove it when it first came out.

Lacey

Lacey says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Wow, if they're stupid enough not to to pick up on the theme of the card from what else they say about space, then why are they allowed to run this NAACP deal? How ignorant of them. They need their heads checked.

kaitlynxbooxboo

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

thats so dumb. people these days will do anything to create controversy & bring attention to themselves. grow up.

Chelcie, Showers Naked

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

This is rediculous!
Just because something states a color it doesn't mean its talking about your skin color. Skin color doesn't even matter.
Everyone needs to except their "race" and get over it. We're all humans, but we're all different.

sito830

sito830 says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

to be honest i did hear the letter "R"

Richard Lee

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

I think they're over reacting. Even if they heard it that way, don't get all butt hurt about it. Shit, racism is dead. If you're still pulling racist jokes, you're just a clown. Get over it.

catsaver

catsaver says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

"creating racism where it doesn’t exist makes it harder to fight real" its dumb to talk about this when there are bigger things to worry about.

Allison

Allison says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

I totally got that card for my birthday last year... Which is really funny since it was random, and non-birthday related. And the guy who gave it to me was, dundundun black?! D: He didn't find it racist, obviously...

jane

jane says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

This is the perfect example of people that just want to be offended for the sake of being offended. This card is CLEARLY not racist, but if it was, ya know what? You have a choice not to buy it. Simple. Why is it that because you are offended by something that someone owes you something (even if that just means removing said offense)? You are not owed anything. Yes there are people out there who don't like blacks, gays, jews, christians, the list goes on. Sure, these people quite possibly suck, but you don't have to support them in any way. You don't have to watch, read about, purchase from or do anything except let them be. Let's say for example that Hallmark did decide to make and sell this racist card (which is ridiculous in itself). First of all it's not directed at anyone personally, second of all even if they stop making it, it doesn't change their views. They are still racist bigots who think of black women as nothing more than hoes. The view doesn't change. It is not your right to tell them what to think or what to sell. NO ONE IS GUARANTEED THE RIGHT TO NOT BE OFFENDED. Only the right not to support those they find offensive.
You can complain about it, but I guarantee everyone does something offends someone else. Are we all supposed to stop living and breathing because someone somewhere might get offended?

Jadiee

Jadiee says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

are they deaf? it says HOLES not WHORES, if anything it sounds like hoes. and to say that it sounds like bunch of kids laughing about blackness....ok lady what world are living in?

baileyboo12

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

that was "holes" there was no "r" in there.way to raise hell and make something out of nothing...(sarcastic)

Hali-f.

Hali-f. says:
POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

idk. this is... a little sad...?

J_panFreak

POSTED 1 YEAR AGO

Okay, that makes sence (sarcasm) The African-American's in the video were probably just paranoid about hearing something,that was most likely not racist in the least, so that lead to this,them arguing about a greeting card that obviously says holes, not whore. It's just ridiculous ;P


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