Target Stops Selling Product Dedicated To Civil Rights Icons After TikTok Video Shows Errors

NEW YORK — Target has announced that it will discontinue sales of merchandise featuring Civil Rights symbols after a now-viral TikTok video revealed some substantial inaccuracies.

In a video broadcast earlier this week, Las Vegas high school teacher Tierra Espy demonstrated how three Civil Rights figures — Carter G. Woodson, W.E.B. DuBois, and Booker T. Washington — were misidentified in a magnetic learning project.

“These need to be pulled off the shelves immediately,” Espy, who goes by the TikTok handle @issatete, said in her Tuesday video. “I teach U.S. History … and I noticed some discrepancies as soon as I opened this.”

Target Stops Selling Product Dedicated To Civil Rights Icons After TikTok Video Shows Errors

In a Friday interview with The Associated Press, Espy stated that she acquired the “Civil Rights Magnetic Learning Activity” at the end of January to present it to her children. However, when she opened the package at home, she discovered the obvious flaws and posted them online.

Target soon stated that it would discontinue product sales.

“We will no longer be selling this product in stores or online,” Target said. “We’ve also ensured the product’s publisher is aware of the errors.”

Target did not immediately specify how long the product has been on sale or when it will be removed. The product’s removal coincides with the start of Black Heritage Month, which Target and other shops recognise with special collections that honour Black heritage.

Target Stops Selling Product Dedicated To Civil Rights Icons After TikTok Video Shows Errors

The incorrect magnetic activity seen in Espy’s film bears a Bendon manufacturing mark. The Ohio-based children’s publisher waited to reply to calls for comment on Friday.

As of Friday, Espy said Target and Bendon had yet to contact her. While she is delighted the product has been pulled from shelves, she is dissatisfied that the companies have yet to apologise.

In addition to an apology, Espy stated that the episode highlights the significance of examining items before making them available to consumers, which will help prevent dangerous errors like this in the future.

Target Stops Selling Product Dedicated To Civil Rights Icons After TikTok Video Shows Errors

“Google is free, and I got it in two seconds.” “They could have found it by doing a quick Google search,” she explained.

Espy also thanked her fellow TikTok users for ensuring that the inaccuracies were not overlooked.

“I’m happy that people are realising that history matters,” she said.

SOURCE – (AP)