In today’s world, people seem to be more easily offended by things that were once considered normal or harmless. While some of these feelings are undoubtedly justified, there are also times when the reactions can seem exaggerated.
People today are also easily upset by things that were once taken for granted. These emotions can be completely acceptable in some situations, while in others they are exaggerated.
You have to decide whether the young lady in the following story was justified in being upset with Target for carrying what she considered to be an extremely offensive jumper.
Reign Murphy, who often shops there, decided to venture out one day. Among the wide variety of things sold there, a red sweater caught her eye. When she picked it up, she was stunned to see what was written on it. “OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder,” the jumper read. She was extremely offended because she has a psychiatric illness that 2.2 million Americans suffer from. Reign felt that the store shouldn’t mock something like that.
She then took a picture of the jumper and posted it on Twitter. She was taken aback by the volume of shares and comments. She wasn’t alone in thinking that the writing on clothing was offensive in practice. Of course, there were also individuals who, although living with the condition themselves, believed the message was neither disrespectful nor offensive.
Jessica Carlson, a spokeswoman for Target, apologized to anyone offended by the product but insisted they will continue to sell it.
Another woman complained that some of the designs sold at Target were derogatory, such as shirts autographed “bride,” “trophy” and “Mrs.”
She argued that because of these designs, people began to think that women could be bought or sold.
Check out the video below for more on the story, then let us know what you think in the comments.
In the case of the controversial sweater, the public response shows the power of social media in amplifying issues and developing discussions about important topics. It also highlights the need for companies to be aware of the impact their products can have on individuals, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as mental health.
Ultimately, whether Reign Murphy was justified in her insult to the sweater is a matter of personal opinion. Different individuals will interpret and respond to messages in different ways based on their own experiences and perspectives. As the debate continues, it serves as a reminder that the way we communicate and display messages in the retail industry can have far-reaching effects and should be done with thought and consideration.