Target Pulls Misidentified Black Leaders from Educational Magnet Collection
Target has removed an educational magnet collection from its stores after a high school history teacher, Tierra Espy, pointed out misidentifications of three Black leaders in the collection. The “Civil Rights Magnetic Learning Activity” featured 26 magnets and informational cards, intended to celebrate Black History Month in the United States. However, Ms. Espy discovered that the collection mislabeled Carter G. Woodson as W.E.B. DuBois, and also misidentified Booker T. Washington and Woodson. She brought attention to these errors in a TikTok video, expressing her concern and calling for immediate correction.
Ms. Espy, who teaches 11th-grade U.S. history at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas, purchased the magnet kit for her young children, ages 4 and 6, as an educational tool for Black History Month. Upon discovering the mistakes, she expressed her alarm at how such errors could make it through production and into stores. Bendon Publishing, the company behind the kit, did not initially respond to a request for comment, but the product was removed from both their website and Amazon page following the incident.
In response to the issue, Target announced that it would no longer sell the kit online or in its stores and has ensured that the product’s publisher is aware of the errors. This move comes after Ms. Espy’s call for immediate correction and has been met with approval from the public.
Opinion:
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accurately representing historical figures, especially during designated times of celebration and remembrance such as Black History Month. It also highlights the vigilance and responsibility of individuals like Ms. Espy, who brought attention to the issue and pushed for swift action to correct the misidentifications. As we continue to educate and commemorate the contributions of Black leaders, it is essential to ensure that the materials and resources used for this purpose are accurate and respectful.