The American Red Cross on Monday apologized for a water safety poster many have deemed racist after it depicted mostly minority children doing “not cool” things in a public swimming pool.
The poster — titled “Be Cool, Follow the Rules” — shows more than a dozen cartoon children playing in a pool. It points out five instances in which children are engaging in “not cool” activities, like running around the edge of the pool, pushing their peers into the water and diving. Four of the fictional rule-breakers are either black or Hispanic children.
“We deeply apologize for any misunderstanding, as it was absolutely not our intent to offend anyone,” the Red Cross said in a statement. “As one of the nation’s oldest and largest humanitarian organizations, we are committed to diversity and inclusion in all that we do, every day.”
The nonprofit humanitarian group said it has removed the poster from its website and Swim App, discontinued its production and ordered all swimming facilities displaying the controversial poster to take it down. “We are currently in the process of completing a formal agreement with a diversity advocacy organization for their guidance moving forward,” it said.
A photo of the poster made its round on Twitter, where it was flagged to the Red Cross. It had been spotted in at least two locations in Colorado, NBC News reports.
The Red Cross declined to say how many of those posters had been placed in swimming facilities nationwide.
#1: Hank Rearden To: Deckard (#0)
Does anybody else get the impression that people moving into adulthood, and creating junk like this, are retarded due to government 'skools'?
Hank Rearden posted on 2016-06-28 12:59:55 Reply Private Reply
#2: Deckard To: Hank Rearden (#1)
Why even have a diving board if diving isn't allowed.
Also, one of the lifeguards is black - can't say that is racist.
Deckard posted on 2016-06-28 13:02:33 Reply Private Reply
#3: Hank Rearden To: Deckard (#2)
What special kind of retard creates and/or approves crap like this?
Hank Rearden posted on 2016-06-28 13:04:43 Reply Private Reply
#4: Deckard To: Hank Rearden (#3)
Probably someone with a Master's Degree in child psychology. I'm sure numerous studies were done, along with focus groups to determine the appropriate way to reach the dumbed-down school kids with this message.
Deckard posted on 2016-06-28 13:10:03 Reply Private Reply
#5: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
Seems to me that represents the current crime ratio. I don't see a problem here, other than some people being uncomfortable with the truth.
misterwhite posted on 2016-06-28 13:17:31 Reply Private Reply
#6: TrappedInMd To: Deckard (#0)
TrappedInMd posted on 2016-06-28 14:21:36 Reply Private Reply
#7: TheFireBert To: Time@yahoo.com, Deckard, retards@RedCross (#0)
Seem pretty evenly distributed to me. Maybe the racist who brought this crap up think otherwise, but they are idiots.
TheFireBert posted on 2016-06-28 18:54:09 Reply Private Reply
#8: Willie Green To: Hank Rearden (#1)
You're not supposed to go off the board until the previous diver is out of the way.
Willie Green posted on 2016-06-28 19:27:25 Reply Private Reply
#9: Hondo68 To: TheFireBert (#7)
Looks like he released a floater in the pool, behind him? Definitely NOT cool.
Probably a Young Republican.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-06-28 19:38:40 Reply Private Reply