A few days ago, there was an excellent diary about racism being displayed on the CBS TV show, Big Brother, CBS: Stop Covering Up Racism by psychodrew.
I am creating this diary to promote both the petition calling for CBS to eject the racist members of the show, along with contacting the corporate sponsors of the show.
Follow me below the dKos squiggle.
First, here's the petition to sign:
CBS Television Network: To expel current contestant of Big Brother 15 Aaryn Gries
Here's an excerpt from the person behind the petition, Ed King:
10000 SIGNATURES!!!!!!!
You all made this possible. I still can’t believe that so many people got involved in this petition in the fight against racism and homophobia.
First of all, I got several messages (besides the nasty messages from Aaryn’s family) saying that it was sort of unfair that Aaryn was the only person on the petition. Other emails ask me to include Jeremy, GinaMarie and Spencer. Aaryn was the first one making racist and anti-gay comments. As soon as that happened I started to work in the petition, then the other house guests joined her and made awful comments as well but this petition was ready. I can’t change the petition once I gathered so many signatures.
Okay, so you have now signed the petition. Great job!
Entertainment Weekly reports today the following:
After taking hits for not exposing its racist and homophobic house guests, Big Brother 15 on Sunday finally put the spotlight on at least one of its most infamous players.
What else can you do? Contact the corporate sponsors of Big Brother.
Here's how, as supplied by petition organizer, Ed King:
CBS did nothing to resolve this problem. They didn’t even address the house guests and no comments were made by Julie on the live show. Last night, more racist and homophobic comments were made by Aaryn, Gina Marie and Jeremy.
CBS doesn’t care about our 10000 signatures but the BB’s sponsor will. Today we need to start “THE SPONSOR CAMPAIGN”
The “THE SPONSOR CAMPAIGN” can only be successful if you keep believing in us and keep helping us. Sponsors will be concerned after several hundred of people contact them, they won’t ignore us. Most likely they will contact CBS and tell them to take action on this. Another important aspect of the sponsors is for them to make a public statement against racism and homophobia. A public statement means media coverage and CBS WILL TAKE ACTION. We just need a few sponsors to come forward.
Big Brother has many sponsors but we should just focus in a small group of them. By doing this, we all approach the same sponsors and all of them get several complaints. If you have time to call, that’s a great way to bring this up to them and that gives you an opportunity to explain things with a lot of details. If not, send several emails and do not forget to flood with messages their Twitter accounts. Twitter is extremely important to spread the news to others who may don’t even know about this petition.
Feel free to use the following template to approach the sponsors:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in regards to the CBS show “Big Brother 15” that is currently airing, which your corporation sponsors. Several contestants on this reality show, who are in line to win a HALF-MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE, have been spewing racial slurs about fellow African American & Asian American contestants as well as making anti-Semitic and homophobic statements. The hateful dialogue between the competitors has been shown via the show’s 24/7 live feed, but CBS is editing out all of these comments for the broadcast show which airs during primetime.
It is shocking that in 2013 such blatant discrimination is prevalent, but what is even more appalling is that CBS has done nothing to satisfactorily remedy this situation. “Big Brother 15” is enjoyed by viewers of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds as is your product. However, the lack of action on behalf of CBS is a slap in the face of viewers by choosing to turn a blind eye to this serious matter. It appears that CBS execs and producers neither value nor respect their minority or diverse viewership and in essence condone the demoralization of such groups.
Below are examples of a few (not all) of the racist comments/conversations from “Big Brother 15” which your company is sponsoring:
GinaMarie referred to welfare as “nigger insurance”; stated that Candice (an African American contestant) is on the dark side of the house “because she’s already dark.” Aaryn replied, “Be careful what you say in the dark, you might not see the bitch.” (Regarding Candice)
Spencer said that the medical torture conducted by Nazi doctors was beneficial and praised Hitler’s speaking abilities, even while acknowledging that he’d be criticized for that.
GinaMarie stated "[Her] fuc*ing blackness is coming out”,"Blacks, they stick together”, “They're like tokens”
David stated that his smelly bed sheets are because of “black Candice.” Then he laughed about it. He continued, “They’re going to get that. That was totally racist.”
Aaryn said "She is the first Asian I know who doesn't do nails," referring to Helen, an Asian contestant.
Spencer referred to gay contestant Andy as, “Kermit the Fag”
Aaryn, in a fight with Candice, corrected her by saying "it's asked, not aksed." While grammatically correct, it was a dig at the variation of the word commonly used in African-American vernacular.
Aaryn, making fun of Asian-American contestant Helen stated “She should be kissing our ass and serving us rice".
Aaryn, talking about Asian-American contestant Helen stated “Shut up and go and make so rice".
GinaMarie, making fun of Asian-American contestant Helen said "Andy was like, 'I'm gonna punch her in the face,' and I was like, 'Maybe that'll make her eyes straight.'"
GinaMarie talking to a group of contestants about eliminating the Asian-American contestant Helen stated “Can I have my nails done first?”.
Aaryn talking to a group of contestants about eliminating the Asian-American contestant Helen stated “If she gets evicted one of us should say no happy ending for you”.
Jeremy said about Elissa “I bet you Elissa’s faggot ass is going to follow them”. Aaryn replied, “Queers”.
I ask that your company immediately issue a public statement and call on CBS to pull the contestants from the show who have exhibited such hate speech and who could potentially win a half-million dollars in spite of these actions. Your company must not silently stand by and allow such venom to be broadcast. If CBS does not pull the bigoted contestants, I ask that you suspend sponsorship until the issue is properly addressed.
Sincerely,
Here is the contact information, as supplied by Change.org petition organizer, Ed King:
1.
Macys - Twitter @Macys
Holly Thomas, Communications Vice President
holly.Thomas@macys.com, 646-429-5250
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Robin Reibel, Group Vice President, Media Relations
robin.reibel@macys.com, 646-429-5329
2.
McDonalds - Twitter: @McDonalds
Office 630-623-6900
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Danya Proud U.S. Media Relations Director danya.proud@us.mcd.com
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Ofelia Casillas U.S. Media Relations Manager ofelia.casillas@us.mcd.com Twitter: @ofeliacasillas
3.
Kia - Twitter: @kia
111 Peters Canyon Road Irvine, CA 92606
Voice: 949-468-4800 | Fax: 949-468-4515
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Howard Lim - Public Relations Manager
Office: (949) 468-1816 Cell: (949) 939-7671 hlim@kiausa.com
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Scott McKee - Director of Public Relations
Office: (949) 468-4813 - Cell: (949) 943-7064 smckee@kiausa.com
4.
Purina (Nestlé Purina PetCare) - Twitter: @purina
Keith Schopp, Public Relations
kschopp@purina.com - Phone: 314-982-2577 - Fax: 314-982-2752
5.
Sears - Twitter: @Sears
Michele Casper - Senior Director of Public Relations
608.935.4633 michele.casper@landsend.com Twitter: @LEprMichele
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Molly Hawkins - Senior Public Relations Manager
608.935.6089 molly.hawkins@landsend.com Twitter: @LEprMolly @LandsEndPR
6.
Crest (PG Prducts) - Twitter: @Crest
Jeff LeRoy - Corporate Communications
Office:513-983-0466 leroy.jh@pg.com
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Mandy Wagner - Corporate Communications
Office:513-983-6628 wagner.aj@pg.com Twitter: @_MandyWagner
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Mary Ralles - Corporate Communications
Office:513-945-4015 ralles.ml@pg.com Twitter: @MaryRalles
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Paul Fox - Corporate Communications
Office:513-983-3465 fox.pd@pg.com
3:11 PM PT: As of 6:10 PM Eastern, the petition has gotten more than 4,000 signatures since I originally wrote my diary. The petition is now at 14,374 names. Woohoo!