'Everybody has the opportunity to be educated': Country Club pulls picture after public backlash
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.