Insurance company owner's daughter takes blame for that racist Juneteenth sign

[Demovictory9]

Harry E. Reed Insurance Agency issued an apology for the sign through its employee, Melanie Higgins, who said in a statement she typically posts “snarky” signs on the door outside the office around holidays or other big events.

She said the owner of the business, Karen Hansen, had nothing to do with her sign. Hansen is Higgins’s mother and the two are the only employees at the small business, which Hansen founded more than 30 years ago.

Higgins acknowledged the sign was “flippant” and perceived as racist “because of the terminology I used regarding foods that are associated with ethnicities.”

Associating fried chicken with Black Americans is a common racist trope.

“My only explanation I can offer is I had a death in my family and I just wanted to go home and I quickly wrote the note. I can assure you all truly, I would never in any facet of the word be characterized a racist. Nor would I ever purposely incite such acts,” she wrote in her statement. “I am so sorry for pain I have caused and the negative attention it has brought.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/maine-insurance-agency-facing-avalanche-of-criticism-for-racist-juneteenth-sign/ar-AAYNAsG

The full sign reads: “Juneteenth, it’s whatever … we’re closed. Enjoy your fried chicken and collard greens.”

[spooky3]

1. Tragic events make non-racist people racist things, I guess.

Fail.

[PoliticAverse]

2. There's no putting that horse back in the barn. n/t

[Skittles]

3. she ruined her mum's business

even if we were to give her the benefit of the doubt that she didn't MEAN to be racist, how fucking unaware can a person be?

[unblock]

4. There was nothing at all humorous or snarky about the post. It was alllll racism.

It's only snarky it funny if you find racism snarky or funny.

The racism was central to the message, not incidental to it.

[Raine]

5. You have to be either a liar or a total moron to claim

you don't know right off how offensive fried chicken and collard greens are. Also the way "whatever" is used and then pleading grief that's 💩!

[Lunabell]

6. Too late.

That toothpaste isn't going back in the tube. You own it all now.

[AverageOldGuy]

7. I'm not buying it . . . .

. . . she knew exactly what she was doing.

"I had a death in my family so I took it out on African-Americans." Sure thing.

Furthermore -- the association of fried chicken, watermelon, collards, and the like with African-Americans overlooks the fact that all these are common foods in EVERY SOUTHERN HOME, black or white.

I'm snow white, born and reared in Mississippi, and I had fried chicken, collards, and cornbread yesterday -- with leftover fried chicken, collards, and cold cornbread scheduled for today.

And don't get me started on goobers . . .

[onetexan]

14. Ditto. Its like saying i have friends who are Black

[madaboutharry]

8. People don't say and write racist things if they don't feel that way.

“When people show you who they are……”

[ArnoldLayne]

9. Nice try Melanie but I'm not buying it

[keopeli]

10. She sends an apology to the entire nation and does not ask for advice first? An appropriate apology

might be

I created the sign. There is no excuse. Even at my age and in spite of what I thought previously, I have learned that I have used a racist trope my whole life. I am ashamed of that. It is on me to correct my thoughts and words. I do not wish to be a racist or use racist language anymore. Acknowledging my shortcoming, I am now taking a racial sensitivity course at the local community college. I am also donating a month salary to a local charity that advocates for the equal and fair treatment of people of color and all minorities.

Please accept my deepest and most sincere apology for my racist comment along with my promise that I own the hurtful words I used and I commit to making myself a better person and a more loving, charitable, and compassionate member of our diverse community and country.

With great regret and humble apologies,

My full name

---


It's not perfect, but it's much more sincere than the "I had a death in the family and just wanted to go home so I belittled the recognition of our country shedding slavery by using a racist stereotype for people of color in a hurtful way" excuse. Sheesh!

[alphafemale]

11. Exactly the non-apology we were expecting.

It was a joke.
Can't you people take a joke?
Sorry you were offended. By my harmless joke.
Besides, I'm the real victim here.

[hlthe2b]

12. So, we should have sympathy for the "innocent" business-owning Mom? (Her daughter learned this

behavior somewhere and odds are... just 'sayin)...

[phylny]

13. "I would never in any facet of the word be characterized a racist."

Except WHOOPS you are.

[durablend]

15. Will we expect her on Fox News any day now

Pleading her case to Tucker?

"I was just KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDING. The libruls are so sensitive!"

[Takket]

16. The shit doesn't fall far from the asshole

[irisblue]

17. FAFO. Racist

[onethatcares]

18. sounds like

"whoops, I got caught" and this screed,

“My only explanation I can offer is I had a death in my family and I just wanted to go home and I quickly wrote the note. I can assure you all truly, I would never in any facet of the word be characterized a racist. Nor would I ever purposely incite such acts,” she wrote in her statement. “I am so sorry for pain I have caused and the negative attention it has brought.”

Sounds like "if I offended anyone by my stupidity get over it"

BTW, Who died?

[dalton99a]

19. Bullshit.