Target Card Making Fun Of Whitney Houston’s Abusive Marriage Should Have Been Removed Before Her Death

whitney houston cardDomestic abuse seems to have never been funnier or sexier since ladies everywhere tweeted that Chris Brown could beat them. And now that he and Rihanna are recording sexy duets together detailing how much they want to get each other naked, we can thank that corner of the music industry for telling kids that romance following felony assault charges is entirely possible. But in the wake of Whitney Houston‘s death, Target has pulled a bunch of tasteless cards mocking her abusive marriage — which further begs the question of why they were ever available in the first place.

The card which has been pulled reads, “next time you think of dating the bad boy; consider whitney houston. that’s all I’m going to say.”

Target reportedly began receiving complaints about the card after the diva passed away. A representative has said:

“As soon as this was brought to our attention, we began the process of removing the card from all applicable stores. It is never our intent to offend guests with the products we offer, and we take feedback from guests very seriously.”

While it’s commendable how quickly Target hopped to the situation following public scorn, I’m curious as to why this “humorous” poke at an abusive marriage languished for who knows how long on the Target shelves. Contrary to pop culture cues, domestic abuse is a very serious crime — not a prelude to a Grammy win. And yet the permissive attitude in our culture specifically towards men who smack around their wives and lady friends permeates in everything, from photoshoots to cards much likes these.

Regardless of whether the iconic singer is alive or dead, domestic abuse isn’t a tag line. Placing sentiments like these in Hallmark cards diminishes the severity of the crime in the public’s eyes by asking everyone to laugh at these types of circumstances. It may be respectful to pull these cards in response to Whitney Houston’s death, but it would have been even more perceptive to withdraw them as she lived.

(photo: dailymail.co.uk)

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