Summary: A jewelry store in North Carolina recently put up a billboard that read "Sometimes it's OK to throw rocks at girls." The large sign was immediately very controversial around the city, especially after the last billboard that had been put up in North Carolina, which read "Real men provide. Real women appreciate it." There was immediate backlash towards Spicer Greene Jewelers, the store who had produced the sign. Many questioned the intention of a public statement such as the one they had produced. However, the jewelers quickly responded, stating that it had not been their intention in the slightest to imply that it was acceptable to throw rocks at women, or anyone. They claimed the billboard portrayed something they did not mean. The store has publicly stated that they will give 10% of all profits they made the previous week to a domestic violence shelter in the area.
Analysis: This article was published on March 27, 2017, by Doug Criss, to explain the recent events surrounding a controversial message that a jewelry store had produced. Before I had even read the article, I was ready to argue against the store and any excuses they made for such a terrible message. However, after reading, I truly believe that this was an honest mistake on the store's part. It seems as if they truly had no intention of offending or upsetting anyone, and their actions after the accusations pointed at them seem to imply this as well. This entire situation seems to have been quickly and efficiently taken care of, and I don't think it should be taken harshly on any account.
Synthesis: Controversial billboards have often been seen in the past, including those supporting political messages, such as an ad for a Mexican food restaurant that was put up in August of 2016. It read "the best Mexican food this side of the wall," and provoked uproar in the surrounding area.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/27/us/rocks-billboard-trnd/index.html
I can see where you're coming from and also think that it is very vital that we as people should be more cognizant and recognize when things can be potentially controversial, especially in this day and age.
ReplyDeleteThe language was chosen poorly, especially at such a sensitive time about women's rights. However, they probably used "rocks" as the common colloquial vernacular for diamonds, so I can see how someone could argue both sides. It was very honorable of them to donate the money to the domestic violence shelter, and therefore, I doubt they meant harm by the sign.
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