In a swift response to a now-viral TikTok video, retail giant Target has announced the discontinuation of a product dedicated to Civil Rights icons due to significant errors in the depiction of historical figures.
Las Vegas high school teacher Tierra Espy, known by her TikTok handle @issatete, posted a video earlier this week revealing the inaccuracies in the “Civil Rights Magnetic Learning Activity” sold by Target.
Teacher Exposes Historical Errors
The product, designed for educational purposes, included misidentifications of three prominent Civil Rights icons — Carter G. Woodson, W.E.B. DuBois, and Booker T. Washington.
Espy, who teaches US History, discovered the discrepancies upon opening the product and immediately took to TikTok to express her concerns. In the video, she emphasized the need for the product to be removed from shelves promptly.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Espy explained that she purchased the product in late January with the intention of using it in her classroom. However, upon realizing the errors, she felt compelled to share her findings online.
Responding to the public outcry, Target swiftly announced the cessation of sales for the “Civil Rights Magnetic Learning Activity.”
“We will no longer be selling this product in stores or online. We’ve also ensured the product’s publisher is aware of the errors,” stated Target in a release.
The product, featuring a Bendon manufacturing label, did not escape criticism for its inaccuracies. Bendon, an Ohio-based children’s publisher, has yet to issue a statement in response to the controversy.
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Target’s Silence Amid Controversy
While the removal of the product aligns with the beginning of Black History Month, Target did not provide specific details about how long the product had been available for sale or the timeline for its complete removal from shelves.
Despite the swift action taken by Target, Espy expressed disappointment that neither Target nor Bendon had reached out to her directly.
She emphasized the importance of companies reviewing products thoroughly before making them available to consumers to prevent such harmful errors.
“Google is free, and like I caught it in two seconds. They could have caught it by just doing a quick Google search,” said Espy, highlighting the accessibility of information in the digital age.
In addition to calling for an apology from the companies involved, Espy acknowledged the support from fellow TikTok users, emphasizing the significance of accurate historical representation and the broader importance of history.
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