Home goods store Bed Bath & Beyond has pulled black jack-o’-lanterns from shelves after they were judged to be racially insensitive.
The move came after a law firm in Nyack, New York, removed its display of the decorative pumpkins following complaints from some in the town, according to News 12. The jack-o’-lanterns in question are completely black with a white grinning mouth and white eyes and nose.
“We understand that someone complained about them and so once we got word of that we immediately took them down,” said Mary Marzolla, a partner at Feerick Nugent MacCartney law offices.
Marzolla said the jack-o’-lanterns featured the names of each partner at the law firm and were never intended to be viewed in a racial light. “We represent people of all colors and faiths, and we would never do anything to exclude anyone from any community,” she said.
Local NAACP Director Wilbur Aldridge said the display showed “an extreme lack of sensitivity.” He said that “equally as offensive” was that the item was in a retail store for purchase. Bed Bath & Beyond spokeswoman Jessica Joyce said the company “immediately removed the item from sale.” She added: “This is a sensitive area and, though unintentional, we apologize for any offense caused.”
