A San Francisco grocery outlet has been plunged into a public relations nightmare after a promotional text message sent to college students contained a horrifying and racially charged error.
The message, intended to advertise a student discount, instead instructed recipients that "if you're white... stop by," sparking immediate fury and accusations of blatant racism.
A Catastrophic Technical Glitch
The offending text was sent from the number of Charlie's, a local grocery chain. It was meant to read: "Texts for college students only! If you're a college student... stop by Charlie's... and get 10% off."
However, in a catastrophic error, the word "white" was substituted for "college," creating a message that echoed the segregationist policies of a dark past. The company has since blamed the mistake on a "technical glitch" with their automated marketing platform, Attentive.
Social Media Backlash and Public Outcry
Outraged students who received the text quickly took to social media to share screenshots, expressing their disgust and disbelief. The incident spread like wildfire across platforms, drawing condemnation from the wider community.
Many questioned how such a specific and inflammatory word could be inserted by a simple glitch, with critics branding the excuse as feeble and demanding a more thorough explanation.
The Company's Response
In a statement, a spokesperson for Charlie's called the error "unacceptable" and extended their "deepest apologies to anyone who received this text." They confirmed the message was intended for a student discount promotion and reiterated that the content was a result of a technical failure, not a human one.
The company stated it is now working with Attentive to investigate the precise cause of the malfunction and ensure such a grievous mistake can never happen again.
Despite the apology, the incident has left a deep stain on the store's reputation, raising serious questions about the safeguards in automated marketing systems and the profound real-world impact of digital errors.
