by MarkLives (@marklives) A planned Woolworths in-store display has gone terribly wrong for the retailer after consumers complained yesterday, Monday 16 November, that it appeared as if the black mannequins were tied together in a representation of slavery.
“I have a problem with the display of black dolls wearing your clothes with a rope on them in your stores,” wrote the consumer, who posted the photo on Woolworth’s Facebook wall. “This depicts slavery and such display of this in your shop suggests you promote such barbaric act against humanity. please remove this rope on these black dolls with immediate effect. This is insulting us as black customers and anyone who is a victim of slavery. I have attached this picture here for you to see.Social media users soon spread the image and expressed outrage.”
Woolworths responded within an hour, writing: “Our store installation team have just got back to us, the ropes are supposed to support Christmas baubles and have been used incorrectly. We’re going to rectify the problem as fast as we can. We’re so sorry this caused any distress. Thanks so much for bringing the problem to our attention, we really appreciate it.”
The apology and explanation weren’t enough for many social media users:
There is no real difference between slavery and apartheid. Hence thats why #Woolworths supports apartheid Isreal
— The Best Or Nothing (@Thato_Mogale71) November 17, 2015
How’s the depiction of slavery ‘part of Christmas display’.. In SA 2015?? #Woolworths — Dash* (@Nartee_Dash) November 17, 2015
#Woolworths has always supported the appartheid Is real how can we be suprised when they mock black slavery.
— The Best Or Nothing (@Thato_Mogale71) November 17, 2015
@BDSsouthafrica long-warned us about apartheid tactics of @WOOLWORTHS_SA. Because they bewitched you with their chickens you not boycotting. — Olwethu Sipuka (@osipuka) November 17, 2015
To those of you saying black Twitter is overreacting, this isn’t nothing. It’s purely offensive and disrespectful!!!! #Woolworths
— Care♡♥♡ (@CarolSengani1) November 17, 2015
?? “@Zulu_Admiral: And @WOOLWORTHS_SA thought this was OK. Glorify slavery. #AsSeenOnFacebook. pic.twitter.com/EcaVa8U0Sj” — Rendani (@Rendani_Makhado) November 17, 2015
If @WOOLWORTHS_SA still don’t see what they did wrong,then maybe they need a bit of “Black Twitter” uh. pic.twitter.com/LNmJNr2DUh
— El Niggro (@steph_gareth) November 17, 2015
Woolworths was sending a message, I hope black people won’t be too blind to see it. There are other better shops to shop at. #woolworths — andiswa (@andymant) November 17, 2015
Others decided that no national retailer would intentionally embrace slavery as a Christmas display theme and accepted the retailer’s explanation that it was a terrible mistake:
so @WOOLWORTHS_SA explained why the mannequins had ropes and we still not happy? ok lets shop at Jet then……. uhm I dont think so!
— JustBlaze! (@shepstarr69) November 17, 2015
Amusing to see people jump on this #Woolworths mannequin outrage…SAns have become quite the sensitive bunch. Manje yonke into iracism??? — Sihle Ngobese (@SihleDLK) November 17, 2015
Iyo people like overreacting,I’m sure Woolworths was not intentionally promoting any slavery,a display went wrong. pic.twitter.com/eZup4C2JeR
— Serame Bohale (@PondozaB) November 17, 2015
Some people really think that Woolworths would portray a slavery scene. Umm, think about it. — MartinTaggCNN (@martintagg) November 17, 2015
I dont think Woolworths is that stupid. Unless they were doing a bondage exhibition.
— kgothatso (@Kgothatso) November 16, 2015
Others were simply relieved to find what humour they could in the situation:
I knew Woolworths was a chain store but not like this — BopTV and chill (@JussDaTip) November 17, 2015
Missed the whole Woolies crisis today. Was tied up at work.
— Natalie Govender (@NattyGov) November 16, 2015
We have hastily put together another art installation to show that white women are Satanic pic.twitter.com/CWYpPzCrbK — Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) November 17, 2015
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