Chia Obama pulled from Walgreen’s; did they overreact?
Just thought this story was a hoot. And, as I read the stories and comments on other sites, I see there’s a debate about whether Walgreen’s overreacted, whether the “Chia Obama” is a racially charged image, etc. I don’t know whether it is or not. If you can’t put fuzzy green clover on the president’s head, whose head CAN you put fuzzy green clover on?
But it certainly has people on the web talking about it. Here’s the full brief news item we ran on STLtoday and today’s Post-Dispatch:
Walgreens has pulled “Chia Obama” off its shelves after a one-week run, acknowledging that some people found it racially offensive. The move caught Joe Pedott, president of Joseph Enterprises and maker of the Chia Obama, off guard. Pedott insists the clay bust that grows a plant that looks like hair is “totally patriotic” and that sales at $19.99 apiece were brisk.
Meanwhile, the New York Daily News has an item here, with a plethora of reader comments….
Says “gilbert.fernandez”: “This entire conversation is just ridiculous, there is nothing racist about this at all. There is not any type of denigration about the president, or black people in general.”
Says “barce51″: “Actually, this is a very flattering image of the prez and I don’t see anything racist about it. Lighten up people! There are more urgent issues to get riled up about.”
Be that as it may, Walgreen’s obviously felt enough pressure to pull it.
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Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
I think it is disrespectful of the office regardless of the person’s heritage. I don’t know if there was one of Bush or not. But no one liked him so it probably wouldn’t sell anyway. I’m made that I didn’t know they had them until they pulled them. I know someone that it would have made a perfect gift for.
I heard about the the ‘Chia Obama’ yesterday; Frank O’Pinion was talking about it on his radio show.
This is the kind of nonsense that reminds us all how political correctness has taken over our culture.
‘Chia’ toys grow green ‘hair.’
The hair of most black Americans is that of an afro.
Consequently, the hair of ‘Chia Obama’ would be a green afro.
…so what’s ‘racially offensive?’
THIS is why comedians continue not to make fun of President Obama.
THIS is why the mainstream media continues not to challenge President Obama.
If you do, or say, ANYTHING, that somebody - anybody - deems to be ‘racist,’ - then that’s it.
There’s no argument.
End of story.
Case closed…
…and corporate America will pay ANY price not to have that scarlet letter attached to them.
To say this is pathetic does injustice to the word ‘pathos’…
Cha Cha Cha Chia!! -Can be found at these fine retailers……
With all of the marketing done by various manufacturers of President Obama’s image, could the Chia Pet people be blamed for feeling left out?
I find it funny and would have bought one for Acentric so that the current president would “grow” on her.
There was a President Bush version but it only grew baloney.
Centrist - Not any more disrespectful then some of the movies that came out about Bush (While in office), including a movie that depicted the assassination of the president. Or how about:
- George Bush Toilet Paper
- George Bush Voodoo Kit
- George Bush Talking Bottle Opener
- George Bush Yard Gnome
- George Bush Chew Toy
….so much for respect of the office, eh?
The Chia product didn’t disrespect a white man, so of course it is racially motivated and disrespectful.
I understand racial sensitivity in America. This goes way past that into the realm of the completely absurb. It’s not racist, it’s just stupid. Both the product AND the calls of racism surrounding it…
My last post is just making fun of the whole Idea of a company trying to make a buck. I don’t want to hate on anyone. Kurt, to post this story and hope for anything other then what other has said is a reach for the paper.
Like I, and another have said in another blog, let’s talk about Sherman Georges the X Fire Chief of the city of St. Louis who has filed suit for racial discrimination over his DEMOTION. This is a subject that needs discussion it’s this kind of behavior from African American that keeps the racial divide long and wide not Chia Obama.
…………I think that has to be the dumbest product I have ever seen. I really believe that ANYTHING sold in a box will find a customer somewhere in America. I dont find the Obama/Chia so much offensive as I do find it to be off the chart silly, and I can see how some folks might even be offended by it
That being said, I think that if Walgreens received complaints from offended customers, they did the right thing (as a merchant responding to their customer base) in removing it. As a retailer it would be stupid to potentially lose customers over some idiot thing like this.
So they don’t sell it in Walgreens. You’ll be able to buy it online. That’s ok, if a black Republican beccomes President, let’s see how you media types treat him or her.
What the… I agree and those things and the entire media were disrespectful to George Bush for 8 years. I think it is funny how overly respectful the media is towards Obama and how disturbed they NOW are with things like the Chia pet. At least I am consistent. The media and the left are incredible double standard hypocrites. So what else is new?
Funny how upset they were when Bush held hands with the SAudi King, but not when Sir Obama bows to him.