The Savery Auction: Ignorance is Bliss For Some

I'm amazed at the ignorance of some people. Classic example: Rita Ledbetter, organizer for an event to commemorate the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States, The event is held every year at the Pioneer Bar, Sitka, Alaska. This year the event is called the "Slavery Auction".

The Anchorage chapter of the NAACP issued a press release condemning that name."The connotation of buying and selling people against their will-that's nothing to glorify", says Wanda Laws, chapter president. Laws wants the event name changed but is not asking that the event be cancelled.

Ledbetter says she didn't understand what the problem was and confessed that she didn't even know what the NAACP was. "Tell them to stick their nose in their own business and leave us alone", she told the press. Alaska Day chairman Ted Allio told the Associated Press he doesn't see the big deal about the original name. The owner of the Pioneer Bar where the event will be held confirmed that the name will be changed to the "Alaska Day Auction".

The story was reported in the Gawker and the Grio. I wonder how many people reading about the incident don't understand what's the problem. Just think in 2015, there are those that say holding a "Slavery Auction" is okay. Afterall, it's for charity. Stop the madness!