In the pursuit of a more inclusive and understanding society, sensitivity and awareness are essential.
Facebook post about Hobby Lobby decor sparks controversy. Killeen, Texas resident Daniell Rider took to Facebook to express her displeasure with a Hobby Lobby decorative item, sparking a heated online debate. The article included a photo of glass vases with cotton stems inside that the store sold as decorations.
Rider said, “This decor is BAD on SO many levels.” Raw cotton is not a decorative material…a good or service obtained at the cost of African Americans working as slaves. The sensitivity should be used sparingly. I ASK YOU TO REMOVE THIS “decoration”.
Within a week, the post went viral and received over 210,000 comments in addition to about 20,000 shares.
Opinions vary on Cotton Decoration Rider’s tweet was criticized by several viewers who argued that cotton in itself is not repulsive and dismissed the idea that it was a problem.
One user said: “It’s a plant.”
“Anyone who is offended by cotton being used as decoration needs to stop buying any product made from cotton,” said another commenter. What does it matter if it is a decoration or part of the product? If you are offended by cotton being used as decoration but not as any cotton-based product, you are a hypocrite.
These other ideas were posted on Facebook:
One person commented: “People need to get over themselves and stop being so sensitive about stupid/irrelevant stuff!!” There are many more pressing matters at hand in our nation than cotton on a stick! Sounds like someone is just trying to get something going with an open Christian society and of course get their 15 minutes of fame…pathetic!!”
“Hobby Lobby is the best hobby store,” said another user. Cotton is a natural product. Take a close look at your clothes if you want to know if someone is bothered by cotton. Most likely cotton or a cotton blend. Rise above it. Not everything in life is a game. “Grow.”
Another user said: “Oh please. Really? My air is unpleasant to breathe. Don’t you think that’s silly? Let’s face it, it’s over the top guys. To understand why the article was so offensive, “Grow up.”
Another questionable incident
The event comes after another controversial opportunity at Nashville, Tennessee’s Lipscomb University. Several students found it disrespectful because Randy Lowry, the university’s president, used cotton stalks as a centerpiece during a meal for African-American students at his house.
Afterward, President Lowry apologized and admitted that he should have handled the situation “more sensitively”.
Lowry said: “I sincerely apologize for any trouble, upset, or disappointment we have caused and I ask for your forgiveness.
Emphasizing the value of sensitivity
Discussions of examples relating to cotton decoration serve as a reminder of the value of sensitivity and consideration of different points of view. While there are many different perspectives on an issue, it’s important to have polite conversations and handle potentially sensitive topics sensitively.
These controversies serve as a reminder that what may seem innocuous to one may be deeply offensive to another. It emphasizes the need for ongoing conversations about the historical context and symbolism of certain objects or practices. In the pursuit of a more inclusive and understanding society, sensitivity and awareness are essential.
The discussion surrounding the Cotton Decorations incident should prompt individuals to consider the impact of their actions and decisions. It’s an opportunity to foster empathy, learn about the different experiences of others, and work to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.
What do you think about these incidents? Share your thoughts in the comments below and encourage a constructive conversation that fosters understanding and empathy.
I think all this mess of people getting offended by everything is rediculous… Im tired of everyone getting offended by everything. These people just want to be offended, they just want to upset about something, they make up reasons to be mad… stop it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“They (we) are a silly people”
well kids, i have to say that we have come a very long wayin 50 years… how do i know this song? I WAS TAUGHT TO SING IT ALONG WITH THE DANCE… IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL… Bend down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton… Bend down down turn around.. pick a bale a day… and it was an all white school, until a few years later when the bussing program began.. we never sang that song anymore…
Oh for goodness sake people! My father grew up on a farm in Sherman, Texas where they grew cotton and he knew how hard pickin’ cotton was. I grew up on ‘cotton’ feed bags turned into dresses and was proud. Cotton is still grown in Texas as you can see them cotton fields just driving through the country side. I still prefer cotton fabrics to this day. My former husband grew up in a teeny Texas town and his present for his 3rd birthday was his very own cotton hoe! I kid you not. And this year he would have been 81 years old. God bless than man.
There was cotton way before slavery and my parents picked cotton for extra money when I was young. Get over it for Gods sake grow up and deal with life no one cares about your “hurt” feelings it part of life. I am so sick of all you liberal babies! Hobby Lobby I love the cotton decor. I bought some!
What a bozo, what doesn’t offend you people these days?
People are getting too sensitive over the smallest things. Cotton is in almost every thing we wear, decorate our window curtains, etc., etc. and bedding. If you do not want cotton sold, then throw out everything in your home that is made of cotton and make sure you do not purchase anything that is made of cotton. We have machines that collect the cotton off of the plants and it is done very professionally by people who know how to run these machines.
Grow up…mature…and try to live in the world we live in.
I am white. I chopped and picked cotton as a youngster. Should I be offended? I love the pictures of cotton fields and the decorations if people want to use them. It brings back memories of much hard work.
so ridiculous !! white people picked cotton also so why is it raciest? If people want to use it as a decoration so be it its freedom of choice . Im sure slaves picked a lot of different things that grew in a field > I myself worked on a farm in the South I picked cotton and tobacco which was a big thing in the South do people get offended by tobacco products also ?? Every race had an issues many years ago and also there were white slaves people have to let go and move ahead. this is a different time .
I agree it is time to let go with everything being racial. People of all races picked cotton and tobacco. I guess the next thing will be cigarettes because they picked tobacco.
My mother, white, picked cotton, chopped cotton, and chopped beans. How ludicrous to think that only slaves did this sort of thing. I know many whites that do to. IT PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE!!!!
People have too much time on their hands to think of stupid crap. Stop stirring the pot and getting people riled up for NOTHING. I could think of other things to anger you other than cotton on display at Hobby Lobby. If that’s the case, you should be upset about Hobby Lobby not being open on Sunday. They have a right to their individual hours and what they sell. Take a CHILL PILL.
Get over it! This new craze that the world needs to care about your opinion about something that does not matter in life, has gotten out of hand. Spend more time on the homeless or veterans.
It’s absurd that everything can be turned into something offensive. There is a negative connotation to everything. Food, pictures, maps, homes, cars, people. Stop already and work towards finding the beauty in similarity instead of anger in differences.
Let’s get REAL PEOPLE… How about you get OFFENDED AND MAD over the HORRIFIC SLAVERY that has been going on for decades… CHILDREN are being trafficked all over the world. Women, even babies, young girls, toddlers, both girls and boys… of all races, too.
Go watch the movie that has just been released today, July 4th… that will give you REAL REASONS to be angry… THESE are the ones that need fighting for. “LET FREEDOM RING” … over 10 million tickets sold BEFORE the debut. GO SEE IT and then perhaps you’ll see how STUPID it is to gripe about a center piece or home decor using a freaking cotton plant.
STAND UP for what REALLY MATTERS… children around the world… need YOU to be their warriors.
Why do we have to dwell on something that didn’t even happen in my lifetime? This happened over 150 years ago. It’s exactly what it is HISTORY. It was a regretful part of our history but we shouldn’t have to keep paying for it. Cotton is a plant, plain and simple.
just sad how sensitive people are these days . Everyone has to bow to their hurts. No.
Cotton is a plant used in our clothes and sheets etc. cotton is good even can be used as a decoartion.
For the love of God, let it go. When a person is seeking such minimal things to be offended by, there is something else going on with the individual. Something on a deeper and personal level that should be looked in to. This is not about the cotton decor at all.
Get over it for Pete’s sake. It has nothing to do with slavery or any thing pertaining to the color of anyone’s skin.