Am I wrong?

[American liberal]

I was offended by an ad for a local furniture store announcing a MLK day sale. The announcer at the end of the ad said, "Now, there's REALLY a reason to take the day off" in reference to the sale, not Dr. King. Am I being too sensitive (which has been known to happen)? What's your take?

Here's the link to the local forum I originally posted to:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=150&topic_id=3344#3346

Thanks for your input.

AL

[SemiCharmedQuark]

1. I don't think you're wrong at all.

I think it's sad that your thread got only one response. I don't know if there is a way to frame the issue so others can understand though...

The importance of MLK goes beyond the man himself. Unfortunately, the people here on DU who are willing to listen to that are not the ones who need to hear it.

[qanda]

2. I wouldn't say you were wrong

How the ad is interpreted probably depends upon the hearer. I think there may be a better way to handle your displeasure with the ad. Instead of boycotting them, let them know that you were offended and ask them to please understand that their ad seemed somewhat insensitive. If they are dismissive of your concerns then you can take it from there.

[msgadget]

3. Hell no!

I'd just come to grips with the notion of MLK sales, reasoning it was the tacky American way, but that ad...I wonder if anyone called them to complain. Is this in a red state?

[SemperEadem]

4. Another way of looking at it is

They have sales on President's Day... in some areas, they celebrate Washington and Lincoln's birthdays together on one day, in Illinois, they celebrate Lincoln's birthday as a state holiday... and they have sales...

So, in a weird, backhanded, "only in capitalistic America" way, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a great American worthy of a 25-50% off storewide sale (with free delivery) on his birthday.

[American liberal]

5. I guess it's a matter of semantics

I am not disputing that the company chose a national holiday to advertise a one-day sale (although it is pretty pitiful how EVERY holiday in this country is co-opted by the corporations). It was the wording of the ad I took issue with: by saying that the one-day furniture sale is a more valid reason to get a paid day off from work than a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King--that's what rubbed me the wrong way.

I do appreciate the suggestion to contact the company and guage its response before taking further action.

Thanks for listening.

AL