Whole Foods countersues pastor who claimed he was offended by slur (1 Viewer)

[Dre]

Whole Foods denies it made anti-gay cake - CNN.com

When I first heard the story that "***" (gay slur in case SR edits) was written on a pastor's cake, I figured it was some right wing pastor. I did not really pay attention, but I just assumed he probably wrote it himself and was enjoying being outraged. But when I saw the story that Whole Foods countersued (I suspect I might be using the term incorrectly), I decided to read it. Turns out the pastor himself is gay. Whole Foods says the employee who decorated the cake is gay too.

While we have to see how this one unfolds, this sort of reminds me of that crazy girl who branded herself on her face with iron and alleged it was Obama supporters.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

While we have to see how this one unfolds, this sort of reminds me of that crazy girl who branded herself on her face with iron and alleged it was Obama supporters.

she cut herself, i think - and people caught it b/c it was backwards like she did it in the mirror

 

[livefromDC]

I'm siding with Whole Foods on this one.

 

[superchuck500]

Whole Foods denies it made anti-gay cake - CNN.com

When I first heard the story that "***" (gay slur in case SR edits) was written on a pastor's cake, I figured it was some right wing pastor. I did not really pay attention, but I just assumed he probably wrote it himself and was enjoying being outraged. But when I saw the story that Whole Foods countersued (I suspect I might be using the term incorrectly), I decided to read it. Turns out the pastor himself is gay. Whole Foods says the employee who decorated the cake is gay too.

While we have to see how this one unfolds, this sort of reminds me of that crazy girl who branded herself on her face with iron and alleged it was Obama supporters.

Just to be clear, a "counter-suit" is when a party gets sued and they file affirmative claims back against the plaintiff. In a situation like this, where the plaintiff has gone public with the allegations that the defendant believes are false, the counterclaim is for defamation, fraud (attempting to gain consideration through false pretenses), and similar claims. A defendant counterclaiming isn't really the same as going out and suing someone.

My sense of this is has to be in favor of Whole Foods. The whole corporate ethos is anti-discriminatory and progressive. And their wages are much higher than the grocery segment competition, which results in industry-leading employee retention and satisfaction. Categorically, I have a very hard time thinking some Whole Foods employee would do something so destructive.

To the evidence, Whole Foods says that the slur is in different style and thickness from their cake decorating standards, and from the other (non-offensive) part of the cake. And that they reviewed store camera footage that shows the UPC label on the top of the cake when Mr. Brown bought it - but it was on the side when he returned in outrage. Also, as some on twitter point out, if the message on the cake is clearly visible through the cake's plastic window in the packaging, it's dubious that he didn't see it until he got home.

Is this some rouge Whole Foods employee trying to embarrass the company? Or is this Mr. Brown with some political/social agenda . . . perhaps he has some other, personal ax to grind with Whole Foods? My money is on the latter. I suppose it could also be some third party who had access to the cake at some point and added the slur.

Whole foods denies the allegations, stating that it has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. The grocery store said the bakery team member who decorated the cake is a member of the LGBTQ community and that other team members confirmed that the cake only said "Love Wins."

"Our team member wrote 'Love Wins' at the top of the cake as requested by the guest, and that's exactly how the cake was packaged and sold at the store," Whole Foods said. "Our team members do not accept or design bakery orders that include language or images that are offensive."

That leaves the court of public opinion -- the Internet -- wondering whose story is correct. On one side are people on social media who speculate Brown's story is a hoax.

"That handwriting is different and the thickness of the frosting is inconsistent, this is the work of an amateur," Elinor Wolfa wrote on Twitter.
. . .
On Tuesday, Whole Foods attempted to put the mystery to rest by releasing the surveillance video of Brown buying the cake.

"After reviewing our security footage of Mr. Brown, it's clear that the UPC label was in fact on top of the cake box, not on the side of the package," Robin Kelly, Whole Foods spokesperson, said in a statement. "This is evident as the cashier scans the UPC code on top of the box."

Brown's claim is false and directly contradicts Whole Foods Market's inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity, Kelly said.

"After a deeper investigation of Mr. Brown's claim, we believe his accusations are fraudulent and we intend to take legal action against both Mr. Brown and his attorney," Kelly said.

Whole Foods denies it made anti-gay cake - CNN.com

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

also

When he noticed the offensive word on the cake, he said he was humiliated, disappointed and shocked. Overwhelmed with emotion, he didn't want to return to the store and cause a scene. Brown called the corporate office to tell them what happened and was sent to voice mail. After that, he called the store and spoke to the manager, who apologized and offered him a gift card and replacement cake.
The store manager called him back a few hours later. Brown said the manager said the bakery associate did nothing wrong. There was no apology, and it appeared the offer for the gift card and replacement cake had been revoked, according to the lawsuit.

and

"After reviewing our security footage of Mr. Brown, it's clear that the UPC label was in fact on top of the cake box, not on the side of the package," Robin Kelly, Whole Foods spokesperson, said in a statement. "This is evident as the cashier scans the UPC code on top of the box."

I don't see how WF would court this sort of public scrutiny if they weren't pretty certain they were in the right

 

[keepoursaints]

Yea I wasn't sure where to stand but when they said the employee being accused is a member of the LGBT community it didn't add up. Apparently there is a video showing the label on the top of the box when it was handed to him so if that's the case it should be pretty easy to prove it.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

Also, as some on twitter point out, if the message on the cake is clearly visible through the cake's plastic window in the packaging, it's dubious that he didn't see it until he got home.

point of order counselor - Mr Brown claims he did not notice it until he was in his car at a red light - he then went home because he just couldn't

 

[mc4saints]

Yea I wasn't sure where to stand but when they said the employee being accused is a member of the LGBT community it didn't add up. Apparently there is a video showing the label on the top of the box when it was handed to him so if that's the case it should be pretty easy to prove it.

Exactly, If the video is accurate that the label is on top this Pastor will need to go into hiding. I just wonder simply what he had to gain? Constituents?

 

[bclemms]

Question, does being a pastor give him more or less credibility?


We'll get all the answers behind this story in a few weeks a new Southpark comes out.

 

[keepoursaints]

Exactly, If the video is accurate that the label is on top this Pastor will need to go into hiding. I just wonder simply what he had to gain? Constituents?

I'd imagine large corporations get this all the time we just happen to hear about them more with social media. He was hoping they'd settle for fear of national negative publicity, but they're not stupid.

 

[bclemms]

Exactly, If the video is accurate that the label is on top this Pastor will need to go into hiding. I just wonder simply what he had to gain? Constituents?

Oh, he'll gain. They could have him on video writing on the cake and some people would support him just for speaking out against gays. Others would support him just for attacking Whole Foods.

 

[mb504]

I just wonder simply what he had to gain?

1. Buy cake from Whole Foods
2. Write fake message on top
3. <strike>??????????</strike> File lawsuit
4. Profit

 

[mb504]

There is a link to the security video here:

Pastor Jordan Brown: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

He clearly looks down at the cake box several times just while buying it. The idea that he didn't see what it said is absurd. The idea that someone would have a cake personalized and pick it up without looking to see what it says is absurd.

According to his attorney, the attorney contacted Whole Foods on April 15 (a Friday) and after receiving no response for three whole days (i.e. the weekend) filed the lawsuit on April 18 (Monday). According to the time stamp on the lawsuit, it was filed at 2:18 p.m. on Monday, which tells me it was drafted...over the weekend. And of course the attorney immediately issued a press release to announce the filing of the suit which tells you all you really need to know about his own motivation.

This was a badly, badly miscalculated stunt and I do think the attorney should be sanctioned. THIS is why people hate lawyers.

 

[Dre]

I actually like that whole foods is attacking the lawyer as well.

 

[buzd]

The idea that someone would have a cake personalized and pick it up without looking to see what it says is absurd.

I would do that.