October 15th 2024.
A popular home fragrance retailer in the United States recently made headlines for pulling a candle from its shelves that sparked controversy online. The candle, named "Snowed In," featured a decorative paper snowflake on its label. However, many people on social media noticed similarities between the design and the infamous hoods and robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
The KKK is a well-known hate group in the US, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Anti-Defamation League also recognizes the KKK hood as a symbol of hate. As a result, the candle quickly faced backlash and was removed from the retailer's website and physical stores.
The company issued a statement to CNN, explaining that the design of the candle was unintentional and they are committed to fixing any mistakes they make. They apologized to anyone who may have been offended and are taking steps to have the item removed from all locations. However, the candle has since been spotted on eBay, with one person attempting to sell it for a whopping $350 USD.
The controversy surrounding the candle sparked a discussion on social media, with some referring to it as a "klandle" or "Klan Krismas Kandle." Some customers who had already ordered the candle before the controversy erupted reported that their orders had been cancelled. However, eBay stated that they will not be removing the candle from their site as it does not explicitly violate their policies against racist language.
Candles are a popular product in this retailer's collection, which has expanded beyond soaps and lotions. Every holiday season, they release a variety of festive-scented candles that make up a significant portion of their annual sales. But this recent incident has sparked a debate about the importance of being mindful of the potential messages and symbols that products may convey.
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