McDonalds Has Fired The Mildura Store Owner Accused Of Viral Racist Rant
It's too strong for you, Karen.
If you’re treating yourself to some Maccas today, do so with slightly less guilt — the corporation stepped up in a big way over the weekend by firing a store owner who was filmed racially abusing an Aboriginal family.
Victorian man Robert Vigors owned stores in Mildura and Irymple, but was fired over the weekend after this incident:
WTF!!!! THIS HAPPENED TO MY PARENTS JUST LAST NIGHT pic.twitter.com/MqFfXgmV3z
— Beautifuldeadly Decolonisation (@toostrong4karen) December 13, 2019
Apparently the sight of the Aboriginal flag being displayed on the car of Indigenous artist Robby Wirramanda Knight was triggering for Robert and his partner Karen Ridge, who were filmed trying to tear it down while accusing Robby of not being a “true Aboriginal”.
Karen tried and failed to rip the flag down, to which Robby responded, “it’s too strong for you Karen”. Cue a viral Twitter hashtag.
After the footage went viral, McDonald’s acted swiftly to distance themselves from the couple.
“The comments made are unacceptable and do not reflect the beliefs of the company as an inclusive workplace for our employees and customers,” they said.
We need more large corporations like @McDonalds with zero tolerance policies when it comes to racism. This is a victory for mob everywhere. I only hope there have been no young Blackfullas working there under him. #toostrongforyoukaren pic.twitter.com/YPuoThQa4L
— Madeline Hayman-Reber (@MadelineHayman) December 15, 2019
People are impressed by how quickly McDonalds acted, considering its usually much easier for big corporations to bury their heads in the sand when confronted with issues like this.
much as i hate so much of what @McDonalds stands for, and have never bought “food” from them in decades, I have nothing but respect for the way they handled this. I’m actually shocked they responded so quickly and strongly. Never seen this kind of action in corporate Australia.
— ?Useful Design (@usefulDesign) December 15, 2019
And McDonalds did this within 24 hours and on a weekend
This was required to be done swiftly and they did !
My Big Mac’s will taste even better after this !
Well done McDonalds !— Scott Taylor (@ScottTa51428280) December 15, 2019
The independent MP for Mildura, Ali Cupper, also released an online statement and the entire thing is worth a read.
“This is not just anyone screaming at the Aboriginal flag, it’s two privileged, wealthy, educated business leaders,” she wrote. “This makes me worry about how deep and widespread this problem may be.”
“Aboriginal identity is a matter of family connection and cultural identity, not skin colour.”
#toostrongforyoukaren (and Rob)
Ali’s statement: pic.twitter.com/VR4TCc6hk6— Ali Cupper MP (@AliCupper) December 15, 2019
While the whole incident is decidedly gross, can we please take a minute to appreciate that the woman’s name is Karen. Truly, what a way to play into the meme.
Andrew Bolt aka the world's foremost expert on Aboriginal Identity and 'fair skin murris not being REAL murris' waiting to give his opinion on #toostrongforyoukaren like pic.twitter.com/DF0NeZFuLJ
— Nikki Savage (@too_knowing) December 15, 2019
Let’s be clear. Karen isn’t just a woman from Mildura. @HonTonyAbbott is Karen. @ScottMorrisonMP is Karen. @PaulineHansonOz is Karen. Andrew Bolt @Bolt_RSS is Karen. Institutions that ignore experts like @TracyWesterman are Karen. #toostrongforyoukaren
— Damien Piro (@damienpiro) December 15, 2019
It needs to be said time and time again: Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences. You exist in a society. That society determines what is acceptable, not the law. #toostrongforyoukaren
— Tom Jowitt (@tommyjowitt) December 15, 2019
#toostrongforyoukaren