Removed item "offensive" double-standard

[chrisfab45]

Hi,

I've been an eBay member for about 2 decades, in good standing.  I mostly buy, on eBay, but sometimes I sell items.  I recently listed a very old, vintage matchbook that most-accurately can be categorized as; 'Black Americana'.  The matchbook was an advertisement for a no-longer-existing restaurant. 

I didn't create this matchbook.  Whoever did, is -now, long-gone.

On the matchbook's front cover, there was a drawing of an African male's face, with an exaggerated facial feature.  The matchsticks, inside of the matchbook, had drawings of African males' faces. 

I placed the matchbook onto eBay, as an auction.

The auction took-off -fast, with multiple bids, within just a few days.

This past day, however; eBay removed that matchbook listing, claiming that the listing violated an eBay policy, regarding offensive, racist items, along with items that perpetuate stereotypes.

As racist-looking as that matchbook may be perceived, that matchbook is -still, a part of American History.  What is eBay doing, then, passing moral judgment onto me by removing my listing for the reasons that they stated, which insinuate that my intent was to perpetuate racism, or stereotypes, and that the intent of the bidders, was racism? 

Whatever happened to; 'If we don't learn from history, we're bound to repeat it'? 

If that statement is true, then why is history being erased?

I'm an Italian Catholic.  Maybe I'm "offended" by 'Mafia' movie memorabilia, that eBay allows to be sold on their site.  I could say that those items are perpetuating a stereotype of Italians being Mafia mobsters. 

What about the 'My Buddy Jesus' items that eBay allows to be sold on their site?  My being Catholic, I'm offended by that. 

eBay also allows Atheist tee-shirts to be sold on their site, which mock people of faith.  I'm offended by that.

Does eBay want to go down this road?  It's a slippery slope, because there will always be 'someone' who is offended by 'something', regardless of how many items eBay tries to ban.

In my opinion, eBay, you've folded like a house of cards, caving-in to political pressure.  'That' offends me.  Editing of free speech offends me. 

Erasing history offends me.  Double standards offend me.

Do you care?  Apparently, no.

[gracieallen01]

Personally, I would think, from your comments, you have no idea where I stand.

[kh-brendonm]

Hi everyone,

Since this thread has gotten a bit off-topic, please bring the discussion back to subject established in the original post.

Thank you.

[bonjourami]

Erasing history offends you? I imagine that is part of our terrible 'history' that Blacks would prefer not to be reminded of..comparing this Black history to the Mafia is really stretching it..Mafia thugs had a choice to do what they did..Blacks were not that lucky.

[bonjourami]

P.S. and I am Italian Catholic too.

[vsbelgians]

I SO agree!

[monster-deals]

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@chrisfab45 wrote:

...eBay, your listing policy is just thinly-veiled virtue-signaling

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That's kinda why stuff like this needs to be done.

[luckythewinner]

What is eBay doing, then, passing moral judgment onto me by removing my listing for the reasons that they stated, which insinuate that my intent was to perpetuate racism, or stereotypes, and that the intent of the bidders, was racism?

No. What eBay was saying is that they do not want that matchbook on their site.

Whatever happened to; 'If we don't learn from history, we're bound to repeat it'?

Some might argue that buying a matchbook with racist imagery on eBay is not "learning from history". It is simply buying a matchbook with racist imagery.

If that statement is true, then why is history being erased?

History is not being erased by eBay. eBay is simply exercising their constitutional right to decide how people use their site.

What about the 'My Buddy Jesus' items that eBay allows to be sold on their site? My being Catholic, I'm offended by that.

On your own property (website, living room, front lawn) you have constitutional right to set the rules according to your values, and eBay does not. But eBay has the right to set the rules on their site, and you do not. That is not a double-standard, that is just different values.

[luckythewinner]

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@chrisfab45 wrote:

So much for my racist intent with my listing.

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Again, eBay did not say you had racist intent.

They said the item had racist overtones.

IMHO you are overplaying the victim card here.

[lightlily_arts]

Unfortunately a few months back eBay decided to prohibit all Black Americana listings.  You will need to find another way to sell your item as other venues have also banned them.  There are all types of items that are banned for sale here on eBay and being that it's their venue they set the rules.

[shhboom]

Why is this so difficult to understand? It has nothing to do with social injustice. It's a purely business decision by eBay. No business wants to be in BLM's crosshairs.

[bonjourami]

"If erasing history is a straw man, please tell that to Holocaust museums.  I doubt that they think their collections of Nazi memorabilia are 'trash'.  Instead, it's looked at as being an important lesso"

But your offensive matchbook wasnt going to a museum was it? It was being sold for profit on a public marketplace.And several of these countries with Holocaust museums,such as France, Germany and Austria, completely prohibit the sale of Nazi memorabilia.

[oldwestgold]

The problem is the minority, and I don't speak in terms of color but numbers, have taken over how the majority should have to think. If a pole was taken on any of these so-called offensive things that eBay has been pulling I firmly believe that the numbers of offended would be very small.  Why? Because the majority understand the history and don't get puckered up every time someone sneezes, etc. Politically correct, etc. has always been pushed by the minority and the media. The majority are just supposed to step in line because 3 people got offended. I get offended on many things, but I don't jump up and down whining like a baby trying to force others to fall in step with my views. That's called free speech, free-thinking, and a free country. Call me old school but I am not a racist but do find when others infringe on my views and thoughts, I get offended. "Stay in your lane" should be in the Constitution. Too many people have to stick their noses in other people's business. Just stay in your lane. Everyone have a great day!

[oldwestgold]

That's not at all what the poster was saying. Quit reading between the lines.

[oldwestgold]

If you can understand English you can read and comprehend what the poster stated. I would suggest re-reading it without your own perceptions.

[oldwestgold]

I agree. pburn is simply trying to put words in your mouth. Just ignore them.