KILLEEN, Texas – A Facebook post slamming Hobby Lobby for its raw cotton decoration has been shared more than 20,000 times.
A woman posted a picture of the decorative raw cotton on Hobby Lobby’s Facebook page calling it “wrong on so many levels.” She also wrote that cotton was “a commodity which was gained at the expense of African-American slaves.”
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She finished by asking for more sensitivity and for Hobby Lobby to remove the decoration.
In more than 200,000 comments, posters answered her outrage with mostly backlash.
Janet Brown wrote:
“Seriously?! I am an African-American woman and I don't find this at all offensive! I'm trying to figure out why you did? Absolutely there is a lot going on in our country right now in regards to race, but please don't add to the conversation this way! Don't read into things that are not there. For sure, some stuff is deliberately hurtful or insulting, but some is not!”
Robert Boots wrote:
“Hint... Slavery was abolished in 1863! The cotton on display is hardly 154 years old. Not to mention I am sure you wear cotton clothing... Let that sink in... So, how long have you been supporting slavery??? Get Real!"
Maryam Lyon wrote:
“Seriously I am an African America probably old enough to be your mother. My family were slaves 3 generations ago. Looking for offense where none is intended is ridiculous. Actually this attitude is reverse racism.”
Crystal Smith Deeds wrote:
“I bet you use cotton tshirts (sic), towels, sheets etc. that's as equally offensive as the sprigs of cotton. If slaves were currently being used to pick cotton I would agree with you, but if people find this offensive then they're being too sensitive and acting like what the world is calling a 'snowflake'."
As of Tuesday, Hobby Lobby had not responded.
