Silcc69
12-12-2011, 06:09 PM
Oralandar Brand-Williams/ The Detroit News
Dearborn — Outrage is building over home improvement giant Lowe's decision to yank its ads from the "All American Muslim" reality TV show after complaints from a conservative Christian group.
Local Muslims are calling the move by the retailer to cancel its support of the TLC Network reality show "a slap in the face of our rich American diversity."
The Florida Family Association on its website called the show "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
Activist Imad Hamad, the regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said he was "stunned" by Lowe's decision and called on "supporters of diversity" to voice their concern through letters, faxes and emails.
"For people who believe in diversity, this is the time for Lowe's to hear about it," Hamad said. "It's a blatant bias from Lowe's. The decision is a slap in the face to our great nation of diversity."
Hamad said the show does not "showcase (Islamic) extremists or out-of-mainstream" Muslims. "It was an opportunity to learn more about each other."
"All American Muslim" premiered last month and chronicles the lives of five families from Dearborn.
Also on Sunday, a state senator from Southern California considered calling for a boycott of Lowe's stores.
Calling the retail giant's decision "un-American" and "naked religious bigotry," Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, said he would also consider legislative action if Lowe's doesn't apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads.
The senator sent a letter outlining his complaints to Lowe's Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Niblock.
Lowe's apologized but did not say it would reinstate its ads.
"It appears that we managed to step into a hotly contested debate with strong views from virtually every angle and perspective — social, political and otherwise — and we've managed to make some people very unhappy," said Lowe's officials on its Facebook page.
"We are sincerely sorry. We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, across our work force (http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/#) and our customers, and we're proud of that longstanding commitment." Lowe's said in a Twitter post it did not pull the ads "based solely on the complaints or emails of any one group."
In a statement on its Facebook page, Lowe's explained that "the significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible" played a role in its decision to halt its ads: "Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views … and this program became a lighting rod for many of those views."
Company officials couldn't be reached Sunday night for information on others who complained about the show.
Suehaila Amen, 32, a judicial aide for the Dearborn District Court and community (http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/#) activist, is featured on the show with eight family members.
"I'm saddened that any place of business would succumb to bigots and people trying to perpetuate their negative views on an entire community," Amen said Sunday.
"This can happen to any member of a minority group. This country was not founded on hatred or racism. It was founded on inclusion and diversity."
In an email to the Florida Family Association, a Lowe's representative wrote: "Thank you for contacting Lowe's.We work hard to listen to our customers (http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/#) and respond to their concerns.
Lowe's has strict guidelines that govern the placement of our advertising.
"Our company advertises primarily in national, network prime-time television programs and on a variety of cable outlets.Lowe's constantly reviews advertising buys to make certain they are consistent with its policy guidelines."
Florida Family Association's Executive Director David Caton said his group has convinced 65 other advertisers to back away. He cited the issue of Sharia law as one of the reasons his group opposes the show.
"Its content does not accurately portray the Muslim population in America," said Caton.
Meanwhile, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, chairman of Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, lashed out Sunday at Lowe's.
"No Christian Jewish Buddhist or Hindu should sit by and watch this w/out reacting," Simmons tweeted from Australia.
"Americans of all faiths will come tgthr & tell Lowes that we dnt support companies that submit 2 h8 (hate)."
But not everyone online decried the decision.
"We should all send our "Thanks" to (Lowe's) for standing up for what is right," one man tweeted.
"I support their pulling of TV ads for a garbage program."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111212/METRO01/112120377/Lowe’s-yanks-ads-from-‘All-American-Muslim’--local-community-outraged#ixzz1gKxk1P9R (http://detnews.com/article/20111212/METRO01/112120377/Lowe%E2%80%99s-yanks-ads-from-%E2%80%98All-American-Muslim%E2%80%99--local-community-outraged#ixzz1gKxk1P9R)
Now of all of the the bombardment of shitty realty shows out there they get pissed off of at this one.
Dearborn — Outrage is building over home improvement giant Lowe's decision to yank its ads from the "All American Muslim" reality TV show after complaints from a conservative Christian group.
Local Muslims are calling the move by the retailer to cancel its support of the TLC Network reality show "a slap in the face of our rich American diversity."
The Florida Family Association on its website called the show "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."
Activist Imad Hamad, the regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said he was "stunned" by Lowe's decision and called on "supporters of diversity" to voice their concern through letters, faxes and emails.
"For people who believe in diversity, this is the time for Lowe's to hear about it," Hamad said. "It's a blatant bias from Lowe's. The decision is a slap in the face to our great nation of diversity."
Hamad said the show does not "showcase (Islamic) extremists or out-of-mainstream" Muslims. "It was an opportunity to learn more about each other."
"All American Muslim" premiered last month and chronicles the lives of five families from Dearborn.
Also on Sunday, a state senator from Southern California considered calling for a boycott of Lowe's stores.
Calling the retail giant's decision "un-American" and "naked religious bigotry," Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, said he would also consider legislative action if Lowe's doesn't apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads.
The senator sent a letter outlining his complaints to Lowe's Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Niblock.
Lowe's apologized but did not say it would reinstate its ads.
"It appears that we managed to step into a hotly contested debate with strong views from virtually every angle and perspective — social, political and otherwise — and we've managed to make some people very unhappy," said Lowe's officials on its Facebook page.
"We are sincerely sorry. We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, across our work force (http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/#) and our customers, and we're proud of that longstanding commitment." Lowe's said in a Twitter post it did not pull the ads "based solely on the complaints or emails of any one group."
In a statement on its Facebook page, Lowe's explained that "the significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible" played a role in its decision to halt its ads: "Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views … and this program became a lighting rod for many of those views."
Company officials couldn't be reached Sunday night for information on others who complained about the show.
Suehaila Amen, 32, a judicial aide for the Dearborn District Court and community (http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/#) activist, is featured on the show with eight family members.
"I'm saddened that any place of business would succumb to bigots and people trying to perpetuate their negative views on an entire community," Amen said Sunday.
"This can happen to any member of a minority group. This country was not founded on hatred or racism. It was founded on inclusion and diversity."
In an email to the Florida Family Association, a Lowe's representative wrote: "Thank you for contacting Lowe's.We work hard to listen to our customers (http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/#) and respond to their concerns.
Lowe's has strict guidelines that govern the placement of our advertising.
"Our company advertises primarily in national, network prime-time television programs and on a variety of cable outlets.Lowe's constantly reviews advertising buys to make certain they are consistent with its policy guidelines."
Florida Family Association's Executive Director David Caton said his group has convinced 65 other advertisers to back away. He cited the issue of Sharia law as one of the reasons his group opposes the show.
"Its content does not accurately portray the Muslim population in America," said Caton.
Meanwhile, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, chairman of Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, lashed out Sunday at Lowe's.
"No Christian Jewish Buddhist or Hindu should sit by and watch this w/out reacting," Simmons tweeted from Australia.
"Americans of all faiths will come tgthr & tell Lowes that we dnt support companies that submit 2 h8 (hate)."
But not everyone online decried the decision.
"We should all send our "Thanks" to (Lowe's) for standing up for what is right," one man tweeted.
"I support their pulling of TV ads for a garbage program."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111212/METRO01/112120377/Lowe’s-yanks-ads-from-‘All-American-Muslim’--local-community-outraged#ixzz1gKxk1P9R (http://detnews.com/article/20111212/METRO01/112120377/Lowe%E2%80%99s-yanks-ads-from-%E2%80%98All-American-Muslim%E2%80%99--local-community-outraged#ixzz1gKxk1P9R)
Now of all of the the bombardment of shitty realty shows out there they get pissed off of at this one.