<p>Costco management was insensitive and not thinking when they did this. </p>
<p>However, it would be great if we could transfer some of the outrage expressed here to the astounding crime problems in many African American communities, as well as symbiotically connected dysfunction caused by the lack of fathers in so many homes. </p>
<p>Indeed, I do recall Attorney Gen. Holder asking for tough discussions on race.</p>
<p>Must have been a slow news day.</p>
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<p>And when it comes to having those discussions, we are indeed a “nation of cowards”. I’m heartened by some of the rather bold discussions of race that are currently taking place right here on CC. I hope that it spills over into real life.</p>
<p>Obviously a stupid mistake, but given Costco’s record as far as minority hiring, benefits, management and charitable contributions it was obviously an oversight. They pulled the product, what else would you have them do? You’d be hard-pressed to find a more socially responsible and ethical company than Costco, especially in retail.</p>
<p>It makes me sad that “monkey” is an offensive term, and that the rainbow has been overtaken by the GLBT movement. Adorably beloved zoo animals and ephemerally magical meteorological phenomena should not come with attached connotations of any type. It makes for horribly awkward moments of realization and naive embarassment sometime between childhood and adulthood. :(</p>
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<p>Come on, vossron, my post was a little trip down Ionesco lane.</p>
<p>Point is, I am offended by your offendedness, which were offended my offenses which were not intended to offend, but offended anyway and put me on the defense.</p>
<p>Anyway. Why am I thinking right now of that scene in Bofinger where Eddie Murphy parses the meaning of bringing up Shakespeare in front of him?</p>
<p>(can’t post yootoob, but you can find it)</p>
<p>Mr Payne, it must have been a really slow news day when the story that I’ve heard back in August makes the headlines today.</p>
<p>AL34 - I agree. Our local Costcos employ a very diverse group of folks, and it is amazing how many people with physical disabilities work at the one I go to regularly!</p>
<p>Since leaving Chicago, I miss Costco more than just about anything else. Sam’s Club doesn’t cut it.</p>
<p>I read an article comparing the employment practices of Costco to Walmart, and Costco’s were by far superior. Not to say that they can’t make stupid mistakes, but I think cutting up one’s Costco card isn’t warranted by this situation.</p>
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<p>Cuz when I hear a complaint about racial insensitivity, my first thought is, but can’t we get back to talking bout what’s wrong with black people, too…:rolleyes:</p>
<p>aibarr- I’m with you. I stick my foot in my mouth a lot… it doesn’t help when I use words that have connotations I’ve never heard of. (I was about 45 when I learned that it would be a bad idea to use very cute rainbow fabric to make shorts for my all D’s friends at a sleep over… they were in middle school.)</p>
<p>I wasn’t familiar with the hidden meaning of ‘monkey’… but after reading these posts, I’m having a ‘duh, you idiot’ moment. And it’s a sad moment.</p>
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<p>I call it hoof-in-mouth disease.</p>
<p>I am white (caucasian sounds like a disease - doesn’t it?) and I do not see the problem.
Honestly…</p>
<p>^ That is the problem, collectively, that the majority is insensitive to or unaware of issues that minorities find offensive.</p>
<p>Is it the same way with racism issues as it is with sexism issues? The few times that I have ever brought up things that are offensive to me as a woman in the workplace, a lot of the guys I work with will come back and say that it’s not offensive. Not that I’m being overly-sensitive, not that they don’t mean it that way, but flat-out denial. “That’s not offensive at all.” I’m a bit taken aback, since being offended by something is very personal and has a lot to do with a person’s own experiences and interactions with society… How could they know whether it’s offensive to me or not unless they’ve had the same background and experiences as I have? It’s very strange to me.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t imagine that it’d be much different with racially offensive issues… Personal connotations affect our perceptions of different experiences. The only way that we can know if something’s offensive to someone is if we take their word for it. Do people really think they know what’s going on in another person’s mind and heart when it comes to emotional reactions?</p>
<p>That’s true, aibarr, and that’s why I don’t want to be called “white” anymore – too many negative connotations with “white people”.</p>
<p>If non-“white” people call me “white” or God forbid “Caucasian”, I’ve decided to be offended. Being offended is a decision I can make.</p>
<p>My offense-o-meter is now switched on, like virtually every minority in America. I am Swedish-American, not to be confused with my pasty-faced neighbors from the other Scandinavian lands, or God forbid from the rest of Europe!</p>
<p>Be offended at every little turn of phrase, however unintentional! It’s fun.</p>
<p>(you’re welcome for the Nobel Prizes)</p>
<p>As I noted in the other current thread on the same topic, it’s often not the minorities themselves getting their panties in a bunch. It’s holier-than-thou whites getting offended on their behalf.</p>
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So when a member of the majority learns that he has unknowingly said or done something that minorities find offensive, what should he do? Perhaps undo the action, apologize, and try to do better in the future? If so, why the continuing anger at Costco?</p>
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Make a donation to the Rainbow Push Coalition and start learning our diversity ABCs.</p>
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<p>Virtually every? Stereotyping much?</p>