The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) has condemned Walmart for not addressing the concerns of Irish Americans and continuing to sell denigrating and defaming merchandise caricaturing and ridiculing Irish heritage and culture.
The Hibernians say they find this particularly offensive given the deference and sensitivity Walmart has previously shown other heritages, specifically those of Muslim faith, a respect and courtesy that they claim Walmart deliberately chooses to withhold from the Irish.
AOH National Anti-Defamation Chairman Neil Cosgrove stated:
“We find the recent response by a Walmart spokesman to Irish Americans such as Mr. Kevin Westley who have expressed their indignation at the defaming Walmart products targeting Irish Americans reprehensible.
For Walmart to attempt to cloak the sale of these offensive items in a patina of “noble service” by claiming that “millions of customers want choices and the retailer traditionally offers novelty items for St. Patrick’s Day” is both outrageous and, given recent Walmart history, hypocritical.
During the 2014 Halloween season, Cosgrave noted Walmart was "very proactive in addressing the concerns of Muslim Americans regarding their distasteful “Pashtun (Afghan) Papa” and “Arab Sheik” costumes. At that time Walmart pulled these offensive items immediately and Senior Director of Walmart Corporate Communications Brooke Buchanan issued an apology.
"The Hibernians ask what is the difference in offensiveness between a “Pashtun Papa” and the beer mug touting “St. Pat Pub Leprechaun” costume currently on the Walmart Website or the denigrating t-shirts caricaturing Irish Americans on Walmart shelves other than the heritages involved?
"Yet Walmart apologizes for one and condescendingly defends the other. Why were 'millions of customers who want choices and the retailer traditionally offers novelty items for Halloween' denied the (distasteful) right to purchase these Muslim themed costumes? Why are the legitimate concerns of Irish Americans not held in equal regard and why is Irish Heritage not being accorded the same dignity by Walmart as it gives to other Heritages?
"The Hibernians and the Irish American community do not seek special treatment for their heritage, just the same dignity and respect that is afforded others; the Irish American community deserves and will accept nothing less.
"That Walmart seeks to profit from defaming stereotypes and distasteful tropes targeting Irish Americans during March, Irish American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the countless contributions made by Irish American men and women to our nation is shameful."
"The Ancient Order of Hibernians calls upon its members and all who believe that in the 21st century there is no place for the selective and biased promotion of defaming ethnic based stereotypes by Walmart to boycott Walmart for the month of March and to call 1-800-WALMART (925-6278) to voice their objection. We also ask them to share this call to action with their friends on Social Media with the hashtag #SayNoToWalmartInMarch."
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