Should Skittles And Arizona Tea Be Forced To Share ‘Trayvon Martin Profits’?
- Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:08am by
Mike Opelka
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Talk about unintended consequences.
After reports saying that Arizona Iced Tea and Skittles candy were found next to Trayvon Martin’s dead body, both products have become symbols of the 17-yr-old’s killing. They have both seen increased sales due to the repeated mentions in news coverage as well as people purchasing the products to show solidarity with the family or mark the death of Trayvon.
(Photo: Twitter/SleepisFoThRich)
Spike Lee is someone who knows about the power of Tweeting. Over a week ago, Lee posted a tweet that encouraged people to send Skittles to the police in Sanford, Fl.
That post was re-tweeted many times over. Websites supporting last week’s “Million Hoodie March” also instructed those who could not attend to send bags of Skittles to the police chief.
As you might imagine, sales of Skittles are on the rise. There is now a call for the companies that make both Skittles and Arizona Tea to donate money to either the parents of the dead boy, or to a scholarship fund. Of course the Twitterverse is blazing with tweets on the topic:
As of this writing, neither company has said a word about sharing in the increased revenues generated from people choosing to buy products associated with the killing. However, both have made statements on the story.
Wrigley (they make Skittles), a division of the Mars Candy company, issued a statement through spokesperson Jennifer Jackson-Luth;
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Trayvon Martin’s death and express our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We also respect their privacy and feel it inappropriate to get involved or comment further as we would never wish for our actions to be perceived as an attempt of commercial gain following this tragedy.”
CNN’s Headline News Network also reached out to the makers of Arizona Iced Tea and received an email answer on the subject of requests for sharing of the increased sales with Martin’s family.
“At this time, we will make no further comment as we wish to respect the family’s privacy and grieving time and feel it is inappropriate to become involved in a private family matter.”
The New York Times spoke with African-American studies Professor, Dr.Weldon McWilliams of Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. Dr. McWilliams told the Times that Wrigley should invest in communities where “murder based on stereotypes is a reoccurring theme.” He also said:
“If they do not, African-Americans should not be promoting the product.”
Should these companies be expected to share in the increased revenues seen from this tragedy? And if so, how much will be enough to satisfy those who see the situation that way?
Where do you stand on the topic? Should Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea be forced to donate money because their products have experienced increased sales based on this random association with a huge news story? Take our poll and share your thoughts below.
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Comments (149)
onlygodrules
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:14amis that a big texas cinnamon roll behind the arizona iced tea? hmmmm…they should be in on the profits scheme too…
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:22amAh, some good ol’ extortion jesse jackson style. Hey, why not demand they put his photo on each bag or can-like they do on milk cartons?
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:10amThis is absurd! Had they put his picture on the bag or renamed them Trayvons Skittles then maybe as then they would be seeking to gain from the tragedy (and that would be very wrong). But just because a bunch of people decide to go buy their products to make a statement (that they did not promote) then those people don’t get to start demanding to have say in what the company does with the profits! I am so sick of this mob mentality where they think just because they can talk loudly they should be able to boss everyone around!
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:39amRemember, they can do and say anything hey please because “it’s for the cause”. Are you kidding, extortion is just the beginning.
Report Post »http://www.isthatbaloney.com/media-manipulation-of-the-trayvon-martin-case/
teamarcheson
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:45pmDid he really purchase Ice Tea or was it Beer? There was a Arizona Tea boycott so why would Hoodies buy Arizona?
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:05pm.
Report Post »Get serious.
Suddenly, Skittles are soul food?
But if Jessie Jackson can make a buck off a dead kid,
rest assured he’ll be at the head of the line.
Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:07pm.
Report Post »Consider this:
If Al Sharpton called for a boycott of Arizona tea,
would Jessie Jackson send money to the company?
Checkmate.
jhrusky
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:38pmSkittles and Arizona Tea … and we KNOW he purchased them instead of stole them?
Report Post »rs9
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:58pmI won‘t be buying these products I don’t eat soul food
Report Post »Balpit
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:58pmNeither Mars nor Arizona asked anyone to buy their products, so how do they owe anything?
Report Post »Reminds me of those bums who wash your windshield, then demand you pay them.
sjoneselt
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:22pmWhere the heck did this come from? I am sure missing something. What about other products,i am sure the booze can in to play in this. I am sure somewhere there will be an insurance scam. Wait and see. The lawyers are front and center for this one.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:21amDid anyone else read “Atlas Shrugged”? It’s sounding like time for the producers to go “walkabout”. Let the non-producers run it into the ground, then have nothing left to pillage.
Report Post »onlygodrules
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:12amIts sad when they are more concerned with making profits than finding the truth and seeking justice…the right way…
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:40amThey are showing their true colors. What is a shame is that people still aren’t seeing the light and following along like sheep. Hopefully more people will see Runaway Slave and have their eyes opened.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:08amWho can Preparation H donate to ???? Come on now..you know !!!
Report Post »TheVoice1
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:06amyou wouldn’t be referring to the A–hole in Chief…. naw…. lol
Name begins with Ooooooooo…..and ends with an aaaaaaaa…..
Wouldn’t that make a great Canadian preparation H commercial????? just say’n lol
Stand Strong America
Report Post »mcmeador
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:07amWow, how absolutely stupid. These Trayvon Martin supporters go buy Skittles and Arizona tea to take their stupid little solidarity pictures and then demand that the companies donate that money as if they are exploiting the tragedy or something. Hey, how about the supporters just donate the money in the first place and stop purchasing candy and tea to make empty gestures?
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:52amIf money is going to another leftist group, then I am boycotting skittles & Arizona Iced Tea.
Report Post »Balpit
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:02pm@ Walkabout
If they donate to a leftist group, it would likely be the result of extortion or blackmail, rather than their own free will.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:02amI love Arizona tea….but Blacks need to stay away from Tea and Skittles…they are probably not good for your health and since these poor people have no insurance…only money to buy tea & skittles…they should probably stick to milk and fruit.
Report Post »79USMC83
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:10amtres·pass
[tres-puhs, -pas] Show IPA
noun
1.
Law .
a.
an unlawful act causing injury to the person, property, or rights of another, committed with force or violence, actual or implied.
b.
a wrongful entry upon the lands of another.
c.
the action to recover damages for such an injury.
2.
an encroachment or intrusion.
3.
an offense, sin, or wrong.
There are many types of gated communities and they have ONE purpose. To keep trespassers OUT !! Why do many need “ VOLUNTEER ” COMMUNITY WATCH Organizations? Because of TRESPASSERS and THEIVES !! You would think the “Speech Giver” and the FAR-LEFT would be applauding Zimmerman !!!
This has turned into one big “Dog and Pony” show to see whom can say the most OUTLANDISH thing. !! These Congressmen and WOMEN are a disgrace to the WE THE PEOPLE that they represent in THEIR districts. That is what there job is !! They feel that they represent the NATION. The truth is they are hired to represent the WE THE PEOPLE in THEIR DISTRICTS. Shut the hell up and mind your own business. I wonder how many murders take place in Shelia Jackson, Waters, Clever, Rush and all the other BLOWHARDS Districts !!!
Report Post »I lived near Jacksons district for years and it is OFF LIMITS to WHITES !!! The police know if you are white and hanging out there, you are probably looking for drugs. !!
Nothing will change in this country until WE THE PEOPLE demand TERM LIMITS NOW !!! and get these RABBLE roser, HIDDEN A
Tickdog
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:59amno! this is stupid…
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:56amNext thing you know, they’ll be asking Glock to donate money from its profits from white America arming itself against the NOI, NBP and the DNC.
Report Post »tbtall
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:54amThe survey question is worded in a confusing manner. The issue of “should” is completely driven by the company. The thugs demanding it should be told to get lost. If the companies want to contribute some money, it should be CLEARLY stated that they are making this decision on their own, and not as a result of the pressures to give. It might be too late to give something as something that is their own decision.
Report Post »sallyredneck
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:54amThis is really silly!
Report Post »Jerbear1098
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:54amTrademarking their kids name…. Who’s planning on making money from this fiasco?
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:04amThe poverty pimps….the rich Blacks….the Black politicians….people like Jessie Jackson…Rev. Al….etc
Report Post »Jerbear1098
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:53amWonder how the grieving parents came up with the idea to trademark their sons name? Hmm….
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:09amDoes Dad’s girlfriend get part ???
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:42amReally? This is where we are heading as a country?
Report Post »The Notorious H.A.G.
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:39amWait a minute! I thought we were supposed to be boycotting Arizona Iced Tea because of SB1070? I’m so confused…
Report Post »Plan B
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 4:57pmNo, WE are supposed to be buying it!!
Report Post »Jezcruzen
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:36amJust think, these people are so stupid, had there been a pile of dog poo beside Martin instead of Skittles, maybe all the animal shelters would be empty of dogs. Blacks could have run right out and adopted a dog in “solidarity” with ol Trayvon!
The pure audacity of these “minorities” is simply staggering!
Report Post »Bookster
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:36amWouldn‘t this be a ’windfall profit’? The idiots in Washington were very outspoken about imposing a windfall profit tax on the oil companies, they need to be just as outspoken on a Trayvon profit tax. Never gonna happen, it doesn’t fit the agenda. Oil – bad, Skittles, tea and hoodies – good.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:35am“Dr. McWilliams told the Times that Wrigley should invest in communities where “murder based on stereotypes is a reoccurring theme.””
Good, I am happy to hear that these companies should be investing in white communities, where most of the ‘stereotypical’ race crime happens. Uh, ‘stereotypical’, that means where they typically steal our stereos, right?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:34am.
Just another example of the Uneducated Racist Black African Government Dependent America Hating Democrat Slave Population wanting something for Free……
Go Get A Job and Buy Your Own……….
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:28amYeah. And trade-marking the kd’s name had NOTHING to do with making money. PUHleeeeze! I’m very tired of black-victimhood. It’s become a bonafide industry in this country.
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:26amHow many parent TRY TO PROFIT OFF THEIR CHILD’s DEATH?
The nasty Trayvon did NOT fall far from his disgusting family tree
Trayvon‘s mother trademarks her son’s name as merchandise hits stands throughout Florida
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2120841/Trayvon-Martin-case-Mother-trademarks-sons-name.html?ITO=1490
Who says that the tea or Skiddle company is profiting. They didn’t ask the media to keep saying Skiddles – some just say candy. The parents are greedy JERKS.
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:32amYes, How many people profit from their child’s death? How dispicable!
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:38amI’m beginning to feel extremely sorry for Trayvon. If this is the type of people he grew up with, had to live with, be around–my God, what chance did the young man even have?!?
I hope he’s in a much much better place! And I think I really MEAN that!
This world is UGLY!
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:20am@Justpeachy.
Report Post »Stop blaming enviroment for what this kid grew up with,that would only account for “part” of the problem.This kid,if he actually was in the wrong,should have known what was right, or what was wrong,regardless he he was taught it.Everyone knows right from wrong, whether someone sits you down and explains it, or you see it through yours or others actions. The only ones without a good grasp of it, are the very young, or mentally handicapped.To blame society, his parents, his diet etc….is foolish.Its time for people to realize, its the individual thats to blame, and this goes for Zimmerman as well, if they are in the wrong.
Rick300
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:26amAre you kidding me? It is the public’s choice on buying these products! Since when is being dead cool??? Skittles and Arizona Ice Tea were brought up by the friends and family of Trayvon to show his innocence…so if they wanted to give free publicity to those companies, so be it! Are you going to sue all of the “hoodie” makers for a piece of the action because your son dies wearing one? It is absurd!
Report Post »hoarsemom
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:27amWill the obama campaign be donating some of their hoodies?
Report Post »GeorgieBaby
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:40amThis is an interesting play. It is stating that companies and corporations do not deserve their profits, that they are earning them off of the back of working or poor people. This is scary rhetoric. This is the thinking and the language that leads to riots, and liberal government expanding their reach into corporate pockets. It also extends into the government rationalizing the need to take over companies, farms, and manufacturing for “the greater good.” It has happened in the past all over the world, and is part of the framework of communism.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:26amIt would be like telling the Bunny Ranch to share their profits with Harry Reid for mentioning their name while in session. Nobody told them to be their patrons of their products…
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:05amthe Bunny Ranch just shares it’s product with Harry !
Report Post »chnswstr
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:25amDr. Pepper should donate profits from Biden‘s gaff to O’s re-election.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:59amSimilarly, the gun manufacturers should forward their profits to the President.
Actually that’s not a bad idea for them because, if he does get re-elected, imagine the sales spike then.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:21amSome poora55ed sewing shop in Sri Lanka is next.t a good shakedown go to waste!
T saw a clip of SCHOOL TEACHERS handing out little bags of skittles. Iam am beginning to think they just needed to have the kids come to the front of the room, kneel – “This is my body”
Report Post »chnswstr
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:20amand Reece’s Pieces should donate profits from sales generated by ET to outer space.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:16amShould the Ohio Art Company who makes the Etch A Sketch share profits with Romney?
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:24amI don‘t don’t think Romney is brash enough to trademark. Ane even though he is/was in finance – shakedown takes to another level.
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