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Earls drops 'Albino Rhino' products
Vancouver/CKNW(AM980)
CKNW News Staff | Email news tips to nwnews@cknw.com
2/15/2013

Earls Restaurants has announced it is removing the word "albino" from its popular in-house brand of beer.

The move is in response to a human rights complaint -- launched by a group of people who have albinism.

One of the complainants, IK Ero of Vancouver, argued the name is demeaning and humiliating, especially when customers say they would like to "order an albino."

In a statement posted to the company website, Earls says it wants everyone to feel welcome in its restaurants and it's no longer appropriate to use the word "albino" in company marketing.

The word will be removed from all menus by April 24.

Earls had earlier tried to have the case dismissed -- claiming "albino" is a neutral term, and the name was chosen because it's a whimsical rhyme not directed toward humans.

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  1. TeriR posted on 02/15/2013 10:16 AM
    This is ridiculous and an example of our PC world gone overboard.

    There are albino rhinoceros, just as there are albino tigers, bears (spirit bear) etc.

    The fact that after years a company needs to change its marketing due to some people being overly sensitive is just gobsmacking. And lord knows, there are enough lawyers and 'advocacy' groups that have nothing better to do than back nonsence like this.
    1. DougB_25 posted on 02/15/2013 11:37 AM
      @TeriR I totally agree.It is disappointing to me to see so few people willing to stand up against these ridiculous political correctness dictates.When will people who see nothing offensive in some of these cases stand their ground,and say just that.This nonsense really burn me up.We can wear a "screw you" T-shirt,but we cannot refer to an Albino,as an Albino.Something is rotten in the state of Canuckistan.
  2. BY_7463 posted on 02/15/2013 10:38 AM
    The name came from "A Whimsical Rhyme".

    Guess the rhyme will have to go next.

    Too bad that Earls caved in.
    1. AnneH_4 posted on 02/16/2013 09:55 AM
      @BY_7463 I agree but I do not think that Earls had a choice - The Human Rights (or Human Wrongs which is more appropriate) has powers that sometimes are greater than the courts.

      Wonder what our language will look like in 20 years when all of the people continue to find something upsetting about the words

      I never thought anything negative about 'The Whimsical Rhyme"
  3. ChrisM_18 posted on 02/15/2013 01:36 PM
    Hopefully Earles Marketing group will come up with an equally catchy new name - maybe one that reonates with BC beer drinkers

    How about Liberal Dribble or Lefty Lager ?
    1. AnneH_4 posted on 02/16/2013 09:55 AM
      @ChrisM_18 Oh Chris - not lefty lager --- that will upset people who are left handed
  4. DavidM_4081 posted on 02/15/2013 04:24 PM
    I guess my set of 12-ALBINO RHINO PALE ALE PINT GLASSES and my ALBINO RHINO HOODIE just increased in value. A shame that Earl's caved on this one. Where was the complainant when Earl's launched this beer in the first place? Likely just about the money for the complainant.
  5. carrottop posted on 02/15/2013 05:43 PM
    Sad that the bleeding hearts win again. This whole argument was a farce and it's too bad for Earls in the end that dropping the AR line was the easiest way out of this mess that the smallest minority of whiners and complainers came up with. Pathetic and sad state of PC-ness
  6. Newshound59 posted on 02/15/2013 06:03 PM
    This is ridiculous. What's next? Maybe I should file a suit against White Spot because I find the reference to my race offensive. I'm caucasian and I'd like them to respect that.
  7. UnemployedinBC posted on 02/15/2013 06:24 PM
    Look at the big picture. Earls has just got free media advertising. Oh look at Earls they are being a good corporate citizen. Do you know why restaurants put out new menus? why to put up their prices.... No brainer here folks.
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