Washington state anti-marijuana billboard aimed at Latinos sparks outrage
A Washington State Department of Health anti-marijuana billboard aimed at the Latino community has sparked outrage after some deemed its message offensive.
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The billboard was meant to educate youth about marijuana use. (MmeEmil/Getty Images/iStockphoto)[/caption]
The billboard, which reads
was put up in Yakima in June, and was supposed to be taken down on Friday, state health department spokeswoman Julie Graham told the Daily News. Graham hopes that the billboard, which was part of the department’s “Listen2YourSelfie” campaign, would be removed on Wednesday. About 60 youth came up with the billboard’s concept and design to help educate their peers in the Latino community about marijuana use, Graham said.“We don’t need pot to have fun, we’re Hispanics, we’re cool by default,”
she said, adding that the department has apologized after it was clear people were offended by the billboard.“We are new in learning how to reach youth,”
People on social media thought the message went overboard. “Who on Earth thought this was acceptable?” Twitter user Deirdre wrote.This anti-marijuana billboard in Yakima was paid for by the WA Department of Health. Some find it, well, offensive. pic.twitter.com/NbnoJ5Cw7f
— Mr. F (@Mike_Faulk) July 25, 2017
SOURCE“That's offensive because it's idiotic,” user Dana Thurston said.
“That's just bizarre,” another one wrote.
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