A police officer’s daughter walked into Walmart and ordered a cake with a easy message on it. When the Walmart bakery staff noticed what the message mentioned, they informed the girl that it was offensive and refused to make the cake. See what the cake appeared like, and resolve for yourselves if there was something improper with it.
In McDonough, Georgia, Jordan Harkins went to Walmart to have a cake made for her father who was retiring from legislation enforcement. She requested the bakery staff to make a “skinny blue line” cake to commemorate his in depth and honorable service as a devoted police officer. However, they refused to honor her request, alleging it was racist. “I used to be so shocked,” she mentioned. “I didn’t know what to do or say or something. I used to be making an attempt to not lose my mood or make a scene.”
Jordan tried to order a cake with the American flag in black and white with a blue stripe added. It was for her father’s retirement occasion after 25-years on the job. She confirmed the bakers {a photograph} of what she wished. “One of many bakers informed me the design could possibly be perceived as racist and no person feels comfy adorning the cake,” the police officer’s daughter mentioned.
As an easier different, Jordan Harkins requested if they’d make a chocolate-frosted cake with a horizontal, frosted blue line, however that design was additionally swiftly rejected. “She mentioned, ‘I don’t really feel comfy doing this,’” Jordan mentioned. “I requested her, ‘Is there one thing improper with cops?’” After being rejected for the third time, she informed the bakers, “I’ll discover one other bakery, thanks.”
After the irritating ordeal, the household went to Kroger to have the cake made as an alternative. Jordan was far more well mannered than most individuals would’ve been in that state of affairs. “I used to be upset,” she mentioned. “I’m going to Walmart on a regular basis — a minimum of as soon as per week spend a whole lot of {dollars}. I simply wished to make my dad a cake to indicate how a lot I appreciated him.”
After the incident gained consideration on social media, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than the Walmart retailer supervisor referred to as the police officer’s household. So, how did Walmart proper their improper? The supervisor apologized and provided to make the cake, which had already been taken care of by Kroger. He additionally mentioned that Walmart totally helps legislation enforcement, however the expertise with the cake leaves doubt as to the veracity of that assertion.
“He mentioned he was so sorry,” Jordan Harkins mentioned. “He provided to make the cake freed from cost and he gave me a $50 reward card. This doesn’t make up for the truth that it shouldn’t ever have occurred within the first place,” added Jordan, who took the Walmart supervisor up on the late supply to make the cake, however the outcome “appeared horrible.”
A Walmart company spokesperson confirmed a lot of the story. “Our purpose is to at all times handle clients,” the spokesperson mentioned. “However, generally we misstep … We’ve addressed this challenge with everybody concerned and are taking steps to ensure no different clients have this type of expertise in our shops. We’re glad we had been capable of join with the household to apologize and make this proper.”
Whereas an organization can select to run their enterprise nonetheless they see match, Walmart appears to be saying their worker doesn’t characterize their values. Nevertheless, actions converse louder than phrases, and Jordan believes the cake decorators must be terminated. “I work in retail,” she mentioned. “If I didn’t need to cope with a buyer — and mentioned ‘No’ — I’d get fired.”
