Obama Chia Pet yanked from some stores
Full confession: This is a "pet" post in name only.
If you were hoping to get your "Chia Obama" from Walgreens stores in Tampa or Chicago, you better think again. Stores in those two cities have yanked the pet plant with a likeness of the president because some shoppers found this Chia Pet racist, according to The Huffington Post.
We are not going to wade into the is-it-or-isn't-it racist debate, but it did surprise us when we asked whether an Obama dog toy was offensive that no one said yes. Is a plant modeled after the commander in chief more degrading than a dog chew toy?
If you ask us, the product should be pulled for an entirely different reason: It bears no resemblance to President Obama. Why not remarket it and call it what it really is: The Will Ferrell Chia Pet.
For more on the Chia Obama, you can go to chiaobama.com.
Photo by Joseph Enterprises Inc.
Comments
This is INSANE. There is NOTHING racist about a Chia Obama. They have a Chia Mr. T and nobody ever said anything about that. They have even CHIA white folks and nothing. I bought a Chia pet Obama because I thought it was cute and a great commemorative of a great man.
Posted by: Luke Thomas | April 7, 2009 1:09 PM
Haha thats a good point, why did no one care about the Chia Mr. T?? Anyway, lighten up people, there's nothing wrong with an Obama Chia pet
Posted by: Camelback McGee | April 7, 2009 2:11 PM
I see nothing racist about an Obama CHIA pet, there was a Hilary Clinton CHIA pet. However, I believe it's in poor taste to have a CHIA pet of one of our presidents, no matter who he/she may be.
Posted by: sue muller | April 7, 2009 2:34 PM
A long time ago, I purchased a Chia Garcia for a former girlfriend who was a big Grateful Dead fan. It was awesome - a cherubic "Jerry" face, and three different types (colors) of seeds that, when grown, gave it a sorta-rainbow 'fro look. I haven't ever seen them since though.
Posted by: TheBeav | April 7, 2009 2:36 PM
I bought one for my son who was getting teased at school because of his afro. Now he tells people that try to make fun of him, there is nothing wrong with my hair style. President Obama likes it!
Posted by: Angela | April 7, 2009 3:15 PM
It's all about marketing and this idea would have obviously worked. Help our economy? Possibly. Isn't that why he was elected?
Posted by: Alma Latina | April 7, 2009 3:28 PM
I was disappointed when I attempted to buy an Obama Chia and was told it was not for sale. I am now aware of why it could not be sold. I think it is ridiculous not to sell it; I think it is fun and an honor to have a Chia named for you. People need to lighten up!, and I am BLACK.
Posted by: Maryellen Galloway | April 7, 2009 4:21 PM
We need a Chia Hillary. ChiaHillary.com
Posted by: Chia Hillary Fan | April 7, 2009 4:34 PM
looks just like him :)
Posted by: Anonymous | April 7, 2009 6:12 PM
I don't think it is racist, either. Whoa. People need to stop being so sensitive. I am black and I am not offended by it. I would love to know why some people feel that way though.
Posted by: Tammy | April 7, 2009 7:36 PM
It is an honor to have a chia modeled after you.
I have never seen a chia that portrayed someone in a negative light.
The people pulling the product from their shelves must have some racist guilt lurking in their subconscious.
Posted by: egreg | April 7, 2009 8:08 PM
Come to www.chiativity.org and see what's happening in the chia world.
Did you know that the seeds are nutritious?
I did not know that. Thanks, MC
Posted by: Margaret | April 7, 2009 8:59 PM
This is a good test of who IS racist. I was expecting to see something that looked like it should have some watermellon or fried chicken with it. This has nothing like that. Get over it. It is what it is.
Posted by: Greg | April 7, 2009 10:25 PM
I don't think it was racist...just tacky.
Posted by: alicia | April 7, 2009 11:07 PM
That is the most ugly Chia Pet I have ever seen. If that is what the people chia pets look like I would rather stick with the animals.
Then again I am not a big fan of chia pet anyway sooo...yeah. I dunno I just do not like how it looks is all...kinda...huh..well ugly.
I would rather have a potted plant like something with flowers or buy myself a bing cherry tree.
Posted by: Jesse Chenoweth | April 8, 2009 12:44 AM
O-O-Obama!
Posted by: tktru | April 8, 2009 1:01 AM
Poll: Is Chia Obama Racist? http://saucysatire.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/poll-is-obama-chia-racist-all-races-wanted/
Posted by: saucy | April 13, 2009 2:27 AM
An honor? LMAO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!
It's hilarious and disrespectful, funnier because it IS disrespectful.
An honor? seriously?? LMFAO!!
Racist? Naw, I don't think so. Real racism was proven during the election. I mean lets face it folks, if Obama was white? He wouldn't be our president right now....Can you say 95%? Yeah, I thought you could.....
Posted by: Meredith | July 23, 2009 9:27 AM
It is disrespectful to say the least. I don't see a Chia George Bush or Chia Ronald Reagan. What about a Chia Abe Lincoln or Chia George Washington? Would it still be funny if it was a Chia Ben Franklin?
Now here is why I think it is racist...
Let's be real. African American men would have what we call an afro if they let their hair grow past a certain length. The only reason why the company thought this was a good idea is because the growth of that Chia “crap” would represent an African American male’s hair. A white man's hair would not grow in that fashion. Are we saying that afros look like chias???? WTF?!??!?
Posted by: Terressa R. Campbell | August 6, 2009 2:57 PM
What about the Chia Shaggy?(Scooby Doo)
Posted by: RayRay | August 6, 2009 3:07 PM