Shop owner defends offensive 'Immigrant Bag' sign
Published: 2013 August 18 18:27:40 (4959 Views)
A shop owner accused of racism after putting up a sign in his window for 'immigrant bags' has defended his choice of words, insisting people are just being "touchy."
The sign, which reads 'zippadydoodah zip-up immigrant bags' accompanied by a crudely-drawn cartoon of a black man, has already sparked outrage on Twitter.
Now, the owner of the shop in Crowborough, Kent, has said he does not understand what all the fuss is about and said he he does not think the sign is offensive.
"They are called immigrant bags, so I drew a picture of an immigrant to go with them," Benefactors owner, Bruce Webster, said, speaking to The Kent and Sussex Courier.
"I don't really see the problem, people get so touchy about things these days," Mr Webster said incredulously, adding that the sign has been displayed for three years.
The sign came to light after @mrnickharvey tweeted: "Since moving to Crowborough a year ago, a couple of people have told me of its racist underbelly, but nothing could prepare me for that," accompanied by a photo.
Former MP Louise Mensch then responded furiously to the post, adding: "Am from Wadhurst and Rotherfield. Never encountered any racists. This person/shop not representative. Disgusting."
Crowborough Town councillor Andrew Steen told The Argus the sign "seems like a bizarre thing to think about let alone even do."
"I think there would be a lot of people in the town who would find that offensive," he said.
Sussex Police officers are now said to be investigating to see if any offences have been committed.
Mr Webster said he would take down the sign "if people object to it," The Kent and Sussex Courier added.
- Huffington Post
The sign, which reads 'zippadydoodah zip-up immigrant bags' accompanied by a crudely-drawn cartoon of a black man, has already sparked outrage on Twitter.
Now, the owner of the shop in Crowborough, Kent, has said he does not understand what all the fuss is about and said he he does not think the sign is offensive.
"They are called immigrant bags, so I drew a picture of an immigrant to go with them," Benefactors owner, Bruce Webster, said, speaking to The Kent and Sussex Courier.
"I don't really see the problem, people get so touchy about things these days," Mr Webster said incredulously, adding that the sign has been displayed for three years.
The sign came to light after @mrnickharvey tweeted: "Since moving to Crowborough a year ago, a couple of people have told me of its racist underbelly, but nothing could prepare me for that," accompanied by a photo.
Former MP Louise Mensch then responded furiously to the post, adding: "Am from Wadhurst and Rotherfield. Never encountered any racists. This person/shop not representative. Disgusting."
Crowborough Town councillor Andrew Steen told The Argus the sign "seems like a bizarre thing to think about let alone even do."
"I think there would be a lot of people in the town who would find that offensive," he said.
Sussex Police officers are now said to be investigating to see if any offences have been committed.
Mr Webster said he would take down the sign "if people object to it," The Kent and Sussex Courier added.
- Huffington Post
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