Michigan Newspaper Ad Sparks Outrage with Racist Slur Amid Calls for Boycotts
A banner ad that appeared on the front page of a Michigan newspaper has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for a boycott of the publication. The ad, which was paid for by Bowersox Floor Center, read "Diversity is the Trojan horse of terrorism" and contained a racist slur.
The ad was published in the Sturgis Journal, a local newspaper owned by Gannett, a large media conglomerate. Gannett has faced criticism in recent years for prioritizing shareholder profits over editorial oversight, leading to the gutting of local newsrooms across the country.
The ad's appearance on the front page of the journal was widely condemned by readers, who described it as promoting white nationalist rhetoric and hate speech. Many took to social media to express their outrage and disgust with the ad, with some threatening to boycott the publication if similar ads were not removed in the future.
In response to the backlash, Gannett issued a statement acknowledging that the ad should never have been published and promising to strengthen its review process to prevent similar errors in the future. However, the company's efforts to distance itself from the ad appear to be insufficient for some readers, who continue to call for action against Bowersox Floor Center and the journal.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing struggle to combat hate speech and racism in the media, as well as the need for greater accountability and editorial oversight. As one reader noted, "This is not just an ad, it's a representation of what some people think about diversity and inclusivity." The backlash against the ad serves as a reminder that the media has a critical role to play in promoting tolerance and combating hate speech.
Bowersox Floor Center has faced criticism for its previous use of politically charged ads in local publications, including one that appeared to target then-Vice President Kamala Harris before the 2024 presidential election. The company's response to the latest backlash has been met with skepticism by many, who see it as an attempt to downplay the severity of its actions.
As the debate over the ad continues, one thing is clear: the publication of racist and hate speech in a local newspaper can have serious consequences for individuals and communities. It is essential that media outlets take greater responsibility for their content and ensure that they are not perpetuating harm or promoting divisive rhetoric.
A banner ad that appeared on the front page of a Michigan newspaper has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for a boycott of the publication. The ad, which was paid for by Bowersox Floor Center, read "Diversity is the Trojan horse of terrorism" and contained a racist slur.
The ad was published in the Sturgis Journal, a local newspaper owned by Gannett, a large media conglomerate. Gannett has faced criticism in recent years for prioritizing shareholder profits over editorial oversight, leading to the gutting of local newsrooms across the country.
The ad's appearance on the front page of the journal was widely condemned by readers, who described it as promoting white nationalist rhetoric and hate speech. Many took to social media to express their outrage and disgust with the ad, with some threatening to boycott the publication if similar ads were not removed in the future.
In response to the backlash, Gannett issued a statement acknowledging that the ad should never have been published and promising to strengthen its review process to prevent similar errors in the future. However, the company's efforts to distance itself from the ad appear to be insufficient for some readers, who continue to call for action against Bowersox Floor Center and the journal.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing struggle to combat hate speech and racism in the media, as well as the need for greater accountability and editorial oversight. As one reader noted, "This is not just an ad, it's a representation of what some people think about diversity and inclusivity." The backlash against the ad serves as a reminder that the media has a critical role to play in promoting tolerance and combating hate speech.
Bowersox Floor Center has faced criticism for its previous use of politically charged ads in local publications, including one that appeared to target then-Vice President Kamala Harris before the 2024 presidential election. The company's response to the latest backlash has been met with skepticism by many, who see it as an attempt to downplay the severity of its actions.
As the debate over the ad continues, one thing is clear: the publication of racist and hate speech in a local newspaper can have serious consequences for individuals and communities. It is essential that media outlets take greater responsibility for their content and ensure that they are not perpetuating harm or promoting divisive rhetoric.
... A newspaper in Michigan just put up an ad on the front page that says "Diversity is the Trojan horse of terrorism" 
?! Like what even is that supposed to mean? Sounds like some white nationalist BS to me 
. And you know what's even worse? It was paid for by a company called Bowersox Floor Center, which has a history of making super sketchy ads. I don't think one apology from the newspaper is gonna cut it, Gannett needs to do better here 
. The thing is, when hate speech like this shows up in a place where people are supposed to be getting info, it's just not right 
. We need more accountability and more effort to stop this kind of nonsense from spreading 
.
. The ad was racist, no need to sugarcoat it. But I think the bigger issue is that we're expecting too much from media outlets nowadays. Can't we just have a little bit of controversy without everyone losing their minds? 
I mean, if Bowersox Floor Center wants to run a provocative ad, that's their prerogative. And if people don't like it, they can tune out. Simple as that.
[Ad with "Diversity is the Trojan horse of terrorism" written above it, with a big X marked through it] 
and its got a racist slur too!!! ppl r SO done w/ dat paper & dey want a boycott!!! its like how cant dey just check deir ads 4 racism 1st?? i mean, its not that hard 
thats wot i call a weak response 
. They need to get their priorities straight and start taking responsibility for the crap they publish 
. We can't let hate speech go unchecked, no matter how "small" it might seem 
. Now, it's like they're just a bunch of echo chambers promoting whatever the powers that be want us to believe 
. This is what happens when you let greed and profits take over journalism 
it's like they're tryin' to say "hey look at us, we're so woke and against hate speech"... meanwhile, this one ad gets published & suddenly everyone's a expert 
this is so messed up, Bowersox Floor Center has some serious issues to address 
. This whole thing is a great reminder that media outlets need to step up their game when it comes to fact-checking and content moderation. It's not that hard, guys... just don't let hate speech spread your wings and fly 
... I remember back in the day when newspapers used to be all about reporting facts and keeping it real, you know? Nowadays it's like they're just a bunch of clickbait ads waiting to happen 
. We've seen similar stuff popping up online and in local publications before. It's like some people think they can just spew hate speech without anyone calling them out on it 
. The fact that Gannett is owned by a big media conglomerate doesn't help, either 
. They're more interested in profits than in having a conscience about what gets published 
.
It's not like it's some kind of mainstream newspaper editorial 
.
.
but also kinda worried about what kind of people would create something like that... i saw the comment below saying we should boycott the paper and i think that's a great idea 