06-14-2010 NAACP EMBARRASSES SELF BY ATTACK ON HALLMARK The Los Angeles NAACP is attacking Hallmark over a graduation card the company has produced for three years, calling it racist because it refers to a "black hole." NAACP leaders think it sounds like "black whore." They have asked at least one city council to consider a resolution to "denounce the racism." The controversy involves characters known as "Hoops" and "Yoyo," who banter on in an audio portion of the card: "And you black holes, you are so ominous. Watch your back." (LINK TO STORY) Kansas City-based Hallmark, one of the most respected companies in the nation, 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. Hallmark, which began offering cards relevant for African Americans in the 1960s and introduced the Mahogany line in 1987, has now been forced to pull the "black hole" cards from its shelves. Ironically, the NAACP will be holding its annual convention in Kansas City in July with Hallmark a Host Sponsor.
Copyright 2010 Bottom Line Communications. BLC is a Media News Web site that analyzes media and marketing issues. Please give credit or link to http://www.bottomlinecom.com when using any materials. Click on the FEEDBACK tab to send any media tips/comments/thoughts to us. We honor all off-the-record requests and will correct/clarify any information found not to be 100% accurate.
