It seems that animal shelters find black cats and dogs difficult to be adopted. In a play on words, the Norfolk Animal Care Center is holding a “sale” on the animals, to coincide with Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. The “sale” provides for adoption fees of black cats and dogs at half of the normal charge for the weekend after Thanksgiving.
The original flier promoting the event (courtesy of PilotOnline) shows the words “blowout adoption event for our black babies,” wording which has drawn the ire of some.
“On the face of it, I do think it’s insensitive to African Americans who did come to this nation as slaves and were sold,” Norfolk NAACP President James Rivers said. “It does seem sort of strange they would use that as a promotion for selling animals.”
“Yet I know that in many instances we do things without thinking about the broad implications,” Rivers added.
The language on the flier has, according to the article, been changed to “blowout adoption event for our black furry friends.”
So, dear readers, what do you think? Was the reference to “our black babies” insensitive? Or was it political correctness gone too far? Or something else?
Inquiring minds want to know 
Take the “our black babies” out, and I don’t think it’s remarkable. But that phrase – which I missed the first time – is on the same level as those (usually older) white women who think they’re not being completely creepy when they say something about a baby’s “beautiful black skin”. It’s not malicious, but it’s so utterly clueless as to be offensive.
Posted by MB | Friday, November 20, 2009, 10:06 amI’m surprised they have problems adopting out black pets.
The two best pets I’ve ever had have been all black male cats, I guess they are part Siamese or Burmese, just wonderfully afectionate, playful animals.
Posted by Steve Vaughan | Friday, November 20, 2009, 10:16 amSome of my best friends are . . .
Posted by MB | Friday, November 20, 2009, 10:29 amThat’s ridiculous. Many people DO consider their pets “babies.” Some people just need to get over themselves.
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Friday, November 20, 2009, 10:35 amHave to share something that I got thru email (guess the person didn’t have the guts to post it on the site):
Now ain’t that special?
Posted by vjp | Friday, November 20, 2009, 1:20 pmJust think how he must feel about himself.
Terrible way to live.
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Friday, November 20, 2009, 2:55 pmThe NAACP is turning into the ADL, creating racism where none exists. If it hadn’t opened its mouth this would have been a non issue. Its a pet, its black Friday, they need to get over themselves. What if it was Halloween? Black cats are standard…On black friday everything is discounted, where is the racism in that? I got accused of being racist for using the word ghetto, despite the fact that it has applied to Jews for as long or longer than it applied to blacks. People need to grow up.
From what I have experience in Norfolk, there is more racism on the black side against white than vice versa. I tried to point out an open seat to an elderly black woman on the bus yesterday and she blew up on me and accused me of being racist, called me a “scarecrow looking cracker” because the seat was towards the back of the bus, despite the fact that the bus was packed and I had just offered her my seat.
Posted by Max Shapiro | Friday, November 20, 2009, 2:26 pmI’m amazed that no one has stated the obvious: that the newspaper created this controversy! Go back and re-read the linked article. Nowhere does it identify anyone who came to the paper with a concern over the flier’s content. In fact, it says:
I saw no earlier story. Was there one?
Posted by vjp | Friday, November 20, 2009, 3:11 pmI read that to mean inquiry to the shelter, but I guess it must mean to the NAACP as well. I still place some of the blame with them. The NAACP should have laughed at the reporter and told her she was out of line for even suggesting it could be racist. If I was the PR person for the NAACP I would have said the following;
“We are past the point where people should see any questionable use of the word black as a subtle racist undertone. Black is a common color for cats and Black Friday happens to be a retail holiday. I see nothing wrong with using those two things to give animals a good home”
Posted by Max Shapiro | Friday, November 20, 2009, 3:33 pmHey newspapers have to do something to get someone, anyone, to read them. They are losing subscribers/advertisers faster than VDOT can screw up a road job! If there is no “news” they will make something up, and racism is always a card they can play, and get attention. What used to be an arena of “journalists” is now, no better than the National Inquirer, as far as news. The newspapers are in a death spiral and have no clue as to how to get out of it.
Posted by T.W. Bonsac | Friday, November 20, 2009, 5:43 pmBy the same logic, I guess the NAACP has to yell at someone. If there is no racism or no class issues, it goes out of business. Racial equality means a lot of people will have to fade from the spotlight and profitability. People like Al Sharpton would be pointless if we had equality..think about that next time they make an issue where there isn’t.
Posted by Max Shapiro | Friday, November 20, 2009, 7:13 pmTo those who question why black animals have trouble finding homes, the black cats are usually restricted from adoption around Halloween due to the creeps out there who may abuse them in the name of “fun”, also some people are superstitious of black cats. The black dogs (usually hunting dogs, not the cute little Scottie above) are hard to find in the woods when they are running in a hunt, so they are dumped by hunters. Having volunteered and raised funds for various animal shelters over the years, I’m sure there was no racism intended. We really do think of the animals as our babies. My adopted all black hound dog is the love of my life!
Posted by MKinVA | Friday, November 20, 2009, 7:57 pmIf this up roar brings more attention to the fact that these animals need to find homes, then it is worth it. I have two animals, who happen to be black, and yes they are my babies!! Just ask my kids!
Posted by Silver Donkey | Friday, November 20, 2009, 9:24 pmI can understand why someone would be offended… but, we’re talking about an animal shelter that’s trying to get animals adopted so obviously there isn’t mal-intent on their part.
Posted by James Martin | Saturday, November 21, 2009, 3:26 pmWe didnt adopt african slaves, we bought them outright. I think there is a big difference in adoption and buying. Leave it to the naacp to make a fuss over anything and everything.
Posted by jeremaih | Saturday, November 21, 2009, 9:22 pmSo if it’s offensive to some to use the word “black”, may I ask what it the alternative recommendation suggested to call this color? Much ado about nothing in my opinion… Thy protest too much… Adopt a worthwhile cause and get a life!
BS – who already has three adopted “black” feral cats from the hood!
Posted by BS | Sunday, November 22, 2009, 7:53 amWhy is this even an issue ? In my opinion in todays climate there is alot more talk about racism than actual racism. We now have a president that is black and white so i think racism is very over played in the USA. Sure there are some racist people of ALL races and backgrounds but it is alot more people that are said to be racist who are not. In my everyday travels i DO NOT see much racism of any kind.
Posted by dave | Sunday, November 22, 2009, 12:53 pm