It's Southern Charm Week over on Wheel of Fortune, and the show is coming under serious fire for using a backdrop that appears to feature slaves (opens in new tab). Clearly they didn't get the memo that there's literally nothing less charming than racism!
The backdrop was pointed out by an eagle-eyed Twitter user, who was understandably aghast.
Someone please tell me why @WheelofFortune has slaves in their "Southern Charm Week" images? pic.twitter.com/IPCFo9wh1bJune 16, 2017
Wheel of Fortune's executive producer Harry Friedman apologized, saying (opens in new tab) "We regret the use of this background image, and we will be replacing it moving forward on any rebroadcast." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the plantation was slightly more defensive—explaining (opens in new tab) that tour guides do not portray slaves, and that they hire guides of "all skin colors" to wear period-era costumes.
Even so, plantations in general aren't exactly a symbol of "southern charm," and to paint them as such sends a disturbing message.
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