I was listening to the John and Ken Show on KFI AM 640 on Monday. They were talking to Joseph Pedott, founder of the Chia Pets company and creator of Chia Obama. He was so earnest in his description of how he conceived the idea of Chia Obama. He wanted to honor the President with something respectful that represented the hope the President was bringing to the nation (a year ago, when Pedott first had the idea).
Pedott carefully chose every word and phrase in the television commercial and on the Chia Obama packaging so that each sent an uplifting, patriotic message without being political. Pedott took the product to Walgreen's, with which he had a long-standing business relationship. They were thrilled with the product and tested it in the Chicago and Tampa markets, debuting it on a Saturday. Each day the Chia Obama was on the shelves, sales increased 50% over the day before. Walgreens told Pedott they wanted to go nationwide with the product. Pedott shelled out the bucks and ordered 500,000 units. That Friday, Walgreens pulled the plug because there were some complaints about the product being racist.
"Since when is an Afro racist?" asked Pedott. He added that owners can trim Chia Obama's "hair" to any length they want. When Pedott gave one to President Obama, the President liked it. Even Jesse Jackson didn't think it was racist. Jesse Jackson, dudes.
My question is the same as Pedott's: How can an Afro be racist? Obama wore an Afro when he was younger. If he let his hair grow out now, he could have one again. (How awesome would that be?) Recently, I heard a news story about the inventor of a line of black Barbies who was criticized for making their hair too "white." The creator is black herself and said her favorite thing about playing with Barbies when she was a girl was playing with their long hair.
Right now, the only place you can buy Chia Obama in stores is at Fred Meyer in Seattle and Portland. You can also buy Chia Obama online at www.ChiaObama.com or on Amazon
WIN IT
To enter to win a Chia Obama, leave a comment on this post telling me if you think Chia Obama is racist or not.
To get a second entry, tweet this "RT @PeevedMichelle Can hair be racist? (Enter to win a Chia Obama!) http://bit.ly/3FMN2o" AND post a second comment letting me know you tweeted it.
Contest closes Black Friday (11/27) at Midnight Pacific. I will choose a winner randomly from those who comment.
A little silly, but definitely not racist. I just saw it on a website and almost bought it...Unemployed Philosophers Guild, I think.
Posted by: Lindsay | November 19, 2009 at 07:43 AM
Nope, don't think it's racist. It just doesn't work with every President's hair. I've seen plenty of curly hair on white people for whom the Chia idea would work.
He just looks silly with green hair, that's all - lol
Posted by: Bachamer | November 19, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Tweeted: RT @PeevedMichelle Can hair be racist? (Enter to win a Chia Obama!) - www.opinionsfornothing.com"
Posted by: Bachamer | November 19, 2009 at 12:07 PM
According to my half African American friend, it is not racist.
Posted by: joanne | November 19, 2009 at 02:42 PM
I thought I had commented previously but must have imagined that.
I do not think Chia Obama is racist. Totally weird, but not racist.
Posted by: blaugra | November 24, 2009 at 02:12 PM
No, of course it's not racist. Geez, people are crazy.
Posted by: Robin | November 25, 2009 at 06:20 AM
Also, retweet accomplished.
Posted by: Robin | November 25, 2009 at 06:21 AM
Re-tweeted!
Posted by: Sandy | November 27, 2009 at 01:41 PM
I first saw Chia Obama in a catalog last year. I laughed so hard I nearly peed my pants at first. I remember that I even took a pic of it and tweeted the pic. I thought it was great fun and I think we should chia-ize a whole bunch of people. That being said, when I first saw it, I thought to myself, "wow, I wonder if this is meant to be offensive"...because it was on the same page as the Hillary nut cracker and the Bill Clinton corkscrew. Long story short - I still think it's hilarious and I love all things Chia.
Posted by: Sandy | November 27, 2009 at 01:44 PM
I don't think it's racist at all. However, I'm not an Oompa Loompa, so it's hard to say how they feel about it.
Also, I tweeted this.
Posted by: Brandon | November 27, 2009 at 01:52 PM
No, I don't think it's racist. I'm honestly so sick of political correctness that I could vomit. I think there are some boundaries, but this does not cross it.
P.S. I hope I win!!!
Posted by: Jodi | November 27, 2009 at 02:27 PM