Death by Email Strangulation, or Are We Staying Informed or Stuck on Stupid???
A friend sent me a forwarded email the other day. This friend is someone I've known for a long time, grew up with actually, an intelligent, articulate, progressive Black woman from the Northwest. So imagine my surprise when I read an email from her about the Tom Joyner Morning Show and the NUD policy. My shock wore off when I realized that it wasn't my friend's fault that she sent the email: it was just another case of good intentions and wanting to stay informed. And yes, I know the saying, the road to hell is also paved with good intentions, but that's another post.
If you're wondering what I'm even yapping about, it's this: several years ago, an email surfaced and made its way through cyberspace, appearing to be for Black eyes only. The lead of the email body said: "Tom Joyner wants this information to reach his listeners." It was about a marketing term used by corporations called "Non-Urban Dictate," or "NUD" which is said to mean that the company has taken on the policy of not marketing towards "urban" consumers. The email then goes on to list 26 companies that had supposedly taken this corporate oath. Starbucks, Eddie Bauer, and Continental Airlines are just some of the names on the list.
Sounds like good solid info, doesn't it? After all, Tom Joyner is credited with doing so much positive work and mobilizing us to support many other positive efforts in the Black community. And that is exactly why we owe it to him to cut the chains of misinformation and let the email with his name on it and the NUD policy die a quick death.
It deserves to hear the muted horn of taps being played softly in the distance because it's just not true. Do you really think that if a major, global brand had a NUD policy that we truly would know about it? I'm quite aware that many corporations have discriminated against minorities through advertising and marketing, this is a part of what I research and write about for a living. There are many companies who do not openly market to African Americans; we know or should know who wants our dollars and which ones quietly say, "No thank you!" We always have our demo radars up. But even if a NUD policy was true, let's be real here: have you ever seen a Starbucks in the 'hood? Have you ever bought your grande vanilla latte in a neighborhood ravaged by crime and violence? And how completely irresponsible would that be for Starbucks to open a coffee shop in a 'hood like that, chasing out a staple mom-and-pop shop and charging nearly $5 for a cup of coffee to residents who can't afford it?
Recently, I interviewed the executive, a former senior v.p.-A BLACK WOMAN--responsible for revamping Starbucks' entire global corporate social responsibility program, and she is a board member of several other companies and non-profits (http://www.brandchannel.com/careers_profile.asp?cr_id=93). Just as sure as my hand is cinnamon brown I can say that this woman would NEVER be associated with a company that had an open NUD policy, or even hinted towards a NUD policy, or had a NUD policy behind closed doors. We all know that gray-haired white men are not the only ones with shareholder certificates and fat investments. And although they are still not a huge percentage, many wealthy African Americans are major stockholders, too. So come on, an open NUD policy??? Ya think the markets tanking NOW???
There is an excellent site that is working to stop crazy misinformed chain emails (http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/nuds.html). It even explains how Tom Joyner's name got mixed up in the whole NUD-chain letter shebang, starting with the very successful CompUSA boycott and campaign. Even explains how the Urban Institute, a real social policy think-tank, got mixed up in the mess and how they have suffered from bad publicity, all thanks to this wacky chain email.
We SHOULD hold corporations responsible. But lets get our facts together.
And by the way, these emails are driving you crazy, too! Let's admit it! I just want one email from a friend or family member with lovely stationary saying she they love me, they are thinking of me, and they're praying for me. Those are the ones I keep. And I even cut and paste them and send to someone else (I know, but hey, I've got three kids, sometimes my creativity is flat). But the ones that force me to act or else a lightning bolt is going to come down from the sky and strike me dead if I don't send it to 12 other people in the next hour...oh, those can die a slow death, too.
Clear skies and the death of crazy emails,
AK Cabell, The Brand Nubian Queen
http://brandnubianqueen.typepad.com
If you're wondering what I'm even yapping about, it's this: several years ago, an email surfaced and made its way through cyberspace, appearing to be for Black eyes only. The lead of the email body said: "Tom Joyner wants this information to reach his listeners." It was about a marketing term used by corporations called "Non-Urban Dictate," or "NUD" which is said to mean that the company has taken on the policy of not marketing towards "urban" consumers. The email then goes on to list 26 companies that had supposedly taken this corporate oath. Starbucks, Eddie Bauer, and Continental Airlines are just some of the names on the list.
Sounds like good solid info, doesn't it? After all, Tom Joyner is credited with doing so much positive work and mobilizing us to support many other positive efforts in the Black community. And that is exactly why we owe it to him to cut the chains of misinformation and let the email with his name on it and the NUD policy die a quick death.
It deserves to hear the muted horn of taps being played softly in the distance because it's just not true. Do you really think that if a major, global brand had a NUD policy that we truly would know about it? I'm quite aware that many corporations have discriminated against minorities through advertising and marketing, this is a part of what I research and write about for a living. There are many companies who do not openly market to African Americans; we know or should know who wants our dollars and which ones quietly say, "No thank you!" We always have our demo radars up. But even if a NUD policy was true, let's be real here: have you ever seen a Starbucks in the 'hood? Have you ever bought your grande vanilla latte in a neighborhood ravaged by crime and violence? And how completely irresponsible would that be for Starbucks to open a coffee shop in a 'hood like that, chasing out a staple mom-and-pop shop and charging nearly $5 for a cup of coffee to residents who can't afford it?
Recently, I interviewed the executive, a former senior v.p.-A BLACK WOMAN--responsible for revamping Starbucks' entire global corporate social responsibility program, and she is a board member of several other companies and non-profits (http://www.brandchannel.com/careers_profile.asp?cr_id=93). Just as sure as my hand is cinnamon brown I can say that this woman would NEVER be associated with a company that had an open NUD policy, or even hinted towards a NUD policy, or had a NUD policy behind closed doors. We all know that gray-haired white men are not the only ones with shareholder certificates and fat investments. And although they are still not a huge percentage, many wealthy African Americans are major stockholders, too. So come on, an open NUD policy??? Ya think the markets tanking NOW???
There is an excellent site that is working to stop crazy misinformed chain emails (http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/nuds.html). It even explains how Tom Joyner's name got mixed up in the whole NUD-chain letter shebang, starting with the very successful CompUSA boycott and campaign. Even explains how the Urban Institute, a real social policy think-tank, got mixed up in the mess and how they have suffered from bad publicity, all thanks to this wacky chain email.
We SHOULD hold corporations responsible. But lets get our facts together.
And by the way, these emails are driving you crazy, too! Let's admit it! I just want one email from a friend or family member with lovely stationary saying she they love me, they are thinking of me, and they're praying for me. Those are the ones I keep. And I even cut and paste them and send to someone else (I know, but hey, I've got three kids, sometimes my creativity is flat). But the ones that force me to act or else a lightning bolt is going to come down from the sky and strike me dead if I don't send it to 12 other people in the next hour...oh, those can die a slow death, too.
Clear skies and the death of crazy emails,
AK Cabell, The Brand Nubian Queen
http://brandnubianqueen.typepad.com
Hi Nicole,
I received one once that had me sobbing at my computer; it was actually a PowerPoint type presentation showing the power of a woman's strength, I think I got it for Mother's Day. It was gorgeous, I sent it to everyone I knew. But it wasn't full of fire and brimstone that would judge me if I didn't send it, ya know?? I think for the most part we stay well-informed but sometimes we get lost in the sauce. I've been guilty party before, too!