A teenage staff member at a Tim’s Horton’s posted a racist poster that reads, “No Drunken Indians Allowed.” Furious First Nations resident are now calling for a Boycott on the coffee shop. (story here)
While I think the action of the teenage is stupid and wrong, I don’t agree with the boycott at all. It was an action of one individual that acted independently of the corporation. If it was a business decision by Tim Horton’s to put up that poster then I would agree with the boycott. But come on! I know the First Nations are outraged, but don’t react by doing something just as stupid. The teenager in question should be fired, and that’s the end of that.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:34 pm
It’s clear from your comments that you do not understand racism or how it becomes institutionalized. The teenager in question was NOT fired by the company. Instead the company has gone on record as calling the racist incident “one of those youthful things” and has done little, other than offer weak apologies, to show that, as a corporation they have a zero tolerance policy towards racism.
Although it was not a business decision of Tim Hortons to post the racist sign, it is their decision to tolerate and make excuses for the racist actions of one of its employees.
Calling for a boycott is not “just as stupid” as posting a racist sign. Racism is not “stupid” - it’s a form of violence. And calling for a boycott to protest racism is in no way similar to a racist act.
May 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
From the article: “The teenage staff member has been suspended from a number of shifts and she was educated about the company’s harassment policy. The teen, who is not aboriginal, apologized to two employees who are members of native bands, and the outlet’s owner sent a letter of regret to the nearby Blood Tribe.”
The girl made a mistake. The company has taken actions to discipline the girl. I think the girl should have been fired, but I’m not disagreeing with the employer’s decision not to terminate her, but suspend her instead. What more do you want to be done? I don’t see how you picked up the notion that the employer is tolerating racism, if you could enlighten me, please do so.
I do understand racism very well. The girl committed a despicable act, and there were consequences for her. What are the reasons people should boycott Tim Horton’s?