'Everybody has the opportunity to be educated': Country Club pulls picture after public backlash

EDMONTON -

The Glendale Golf and Country Club has apologized for reposting a picture of a foursome who wore shirts at a golf tournament that read "Drunk Wives Matter," in reference to the Black Lives Matter slogan.

The picture of four unknown women wearing the matching shirts was temporarily shared on the club's Instagram, sparking criticism from the public. While the picture was taken down, it’s been shared widely.

“Why they thought this was a good idea is beyond me,” Farha Shariff, an educator, told CTV News Edmonton.

“Mocking an entire Black activist movement post George Floyd is inherently racist, period.”

“It was a thoughtless post that has been rightfully brought to our attention by many community members,” a statement from the Glendale Golf and Country Club read. “We take full responsibility for this mistake and will use this opportunity to reflect on our actions.”

Shariff told CTV News the problem with the post is there were a number of missed steps.

“There were many opportunities for someone to say something,” she explained.

“Most people are not inclined to act on what they see and that’s how we perpetuate racism.”

(Credit: Alexis Patricia, Facebook)

The club called the situation a teachable moment for staff and members.

However, Shariff said the apology was “weak” and lacks a specific educational plan for them to move forward with.

“I encouraged people that follow me to contact the Glendale and ask, ‘how are they learning? What are they doing?’”

“Everybody has the opportunity to be educated,” she added.

(Courtesy: Farha Shariff)

Shariff said the community wants the club to be held accountable for their actions and a few ways to do that is by issuing a “heartfelt” apology with specifics, such as offering support to the racialized community, supporting local Black-owned businesses and donating to organizations that are working towards addressing and correcting racism.

“When you post something on social media and share it, that’s reflective of the brand and the club,” Shariff added.

In a private Instagram post on Wednesday, one of the women in the photo, Chelsie Hutchinson, issued an apology, saying she was disappointed in herself and her actions.

“I promise to do better and have already taken steps to educate myself and my family,” the post read. “Being held accountable is important for me to grow, learn and become a better person for my community and my children.”

In the post, Hutchinson said she reached out to Shariff to engage a diversity expert for herself and her family.

“I know this is only the first step and I have a long way to go but I am committed to real change,” she said.

'IT WAS A MASSIVE LAPSE OF JUDGEMENT'

On Wednesday, CTV News received a statement from Greg McGarry, the general manager at the Glendale Golf and Country Club.

“Let me be very clear,” his statement read. “This was not just a massive lapse of judgement by certain employees, it was a massive lapse of judgement by everyone involved in this regrettable incident.”

According to McGarry, he has ordered all staff to undergo gender bias, diversity and equity training by no later than Sept. 15 “if they wish to remain employees of the Glendale.”

“We are going to rework our HR policies to ensure that new employees hired going forward are also required to undergo this training,” he said.

McGarry noted the club is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and will update the community and their membership once it is completed.