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.

[dbfolks166mt]

Is this similar to cowardice?? 🙂

[cadbury0007]

I share your view that erasing history is misguided.  There are a number of African-American History Museums that would probably be interested in your matchbook.  You should think about contacting one near you about donating the item rather than throwing it away.  Just a thought.

[bonjourami]

"Again that is YOUR opinion of what "ridicules and humiliates", is based on your optic. Unless you personally knew the artist or producer you have NO idea of their intent".

You do have a way of playing word games.If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, etc.

[dbfolks166mt]

No more so with the word games than you are with your opinions or your word games. 

[bonjourami]

LOL, ok.

[house*of*paws]

History is learned mainly from books ... not matchbook covers.  Banning racist matchbooks from a selling venue isn't erasing history. 

If you feel the matchbooks are an important part of our history ... they can be donated to a museum that displays racist items that (d)evolved from slavery. 

If you prefer to make money from your matchbooks ... I'm sure there are other sites to list them on.  eBay no longer wants them.

[carolynnq]

I agree that it's ebay's site and they can set the rules.

But if it would be nice if, instead of removing people's listings with no warnings (and often giving defects), they would alert sellers that their items are no longer allowed and give sellers a chance to take them down.

[hugron]

I too have had an issue with eBay on "offensive " items. I had a Little Black Sambo cookie jar listed and it was "offensive".   The cookie jar is about a little boy from India making butter out of tigers. I did not even have it listed under Black Americana. I am not racist. My family is multi race. I love each and every one of them. I asked if Black Americana is "offensive" then why do you (eBay) have it as a category? They said that it is going away. If you look on eBay right this minute you will see 10s of 1000's of offensive materials. From  nude "art" to Hitler to what ever. We the sellers are to let eBay know that there is "offensive" material listed, in other words be a snitch.  I have gone round this mountain with eBay. In the end it is like talking to a wall if you call even get to talk to them at all. 

[releasethekraken_1]

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@carolynnq wrote:

I agree that it's ebay's site and they can set the rules.

But if it would be nice if, instead of removing people's listings with no warnings (and often giving defects), they would alert sellers that their items are no longer allowed and give sellers a chance to take them down.

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Why would it make business sense for eBay to wait and hope for the seller to remove a prohibited item? What if someone buys it while eBay is waiting for the seller to remove what they never should have listed?

[eclecticseller555]

Just happened to me.  eBay - without my permission - removed a book about black kids, written in the 1930's.  "Offensive?"  Maybe to some, but if nothing else, it IS a part of history, and it DOES represent a portrayal an ethnic group that - while not in keeping with recent trends - is hardly mean-spirited or nasty.  Nonetheless, no one is forced to buy it - and offering a book (written nearly a CENTURY ago!) for sale doesn't constitute an endorsement at all.  Black Americana collectors are disproportionately black and realize that it's part of their history.  And one more thing:  eBay is FULL of books (and especially music) that I and many others would find offensive for a variety of reasons.  So we don't buy it!  And I don't "buy" eBay's arbitrary, absurd "PC" standards/guidelines etc.  Yes - they, as a private entity, certainly have the right to be left-wing **bleep**S!  And I have the right to take my business elsewhere.  The book in question - along with another (Dr. Seuss compendium which eBay wouldn't even let me list)  WILL be sold, trust me.  eBay won't get a cut.  **bleep**IN' **bleep**S!

[kh-jean]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.