Are Tiki Torches a social taboo or faux pas now in light of Charlottesville?

[Anonymous]

We're planning a garden party for next weekend, and we wanted to light the backyard with torches, but ever since last weekend with the white supremacists marching around carrying them, we're worried that people who don't know us might get the wrong idea. We didn't even know tiki torches were a thing with the racists, we just thought they'd look nice and maybe keep the bugs away. Will people in the neighborhood or drivers passing by think we're having some kind of kkk thing? We don't want people thinking we're having some kind of rally or are associated with that, and then vandalizing our house or cars later.

[Anonymous]

agreed - if I showed up to your house and you were burning torches, I'd assume you and your family were closet racist/kkk

[Anonymous]

This is funny OP. It would never even occur to me.

[Anonymous]

Dear Lord, no.
Tiki torches are fine.

[Anonymous]

No you have to reclaim tiki torches for fun and festivity. Don't the racists win! Celebrate Polynesian, life, and love!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:agreed - if I showed up to your house and you were burning torches, I'd assume you and your family were closet racist/kkk

+1

[Anonymous]

The tiki company was afraid of just this (people connecting tiki torches with white supremacists) and released a statement after Charlottesville. It was good.

I think it's unfair to make this association. I might not have a ton of tikis blazing, but a few should be fine.

[Anonymous]

It depends.

Carrying them? Yes, that would make me suspicious.

Planted around your yard in the way that Tiki torches were intended to be used would not alarm me. Especially if I already knew you. I think I'm a good enough judge of character that I'd be very surprised if I accepted an invitation to someone's home who turned out to be a Nazi.

I really liked the statement from the Tiki company:

“TIKI Brand is not associated in any way with the events that took place in Charlottesville and are deeply saddened and disappointed,” the company Tweeted Sunday evening. “We do not support their message or the use of our products in this way.”

“Ou?r? products are designed to enhance backyard gatherings and to help family and friends connect with each other at home in their yard,”

and frankly I feel bad for them, so I'd kind of like to give them my business. Sadly, I live in an apartment so no Tiki torches for me.

Perhaps you could come up with something lighthearted to say such as "Isn't it nice to see them used how they're supposed to be used?"

[Anonymous]

The things that go through the minds of people here. Cringe inducing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends.

Carrying them? Yes, that would make me suspicious.

Planted around your yard in the way that Tiki torches were intended to be used would not alarm me. Especially if I already knew you. I think I'm a good enough judge of character that I'd be very surprised if I accepted an invitation to someone's home who turned out to be a Nazi.

I really liked the statement from the Tiki company:

“TIKI Brand is not associated in any way with the events that took place in Charlottesville and are deeply saddened and disappointed,” the company Tweeted Sunday evening. “We do not support their message or the use of our products in this way.”

“Ou?r? products are designed to enhance backyard gatherings and to help family and friends connect with each other at home in their yard,”

and frankly I feel bad for them, so I'd kind of like to give them my business. Sadly, I live in an apartment so no Tiki torches for me.

Perhaps you could come up with something lighthearted to say such as "Isn't it nice to see them used how they're supposed to be used?"

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Omg. Get a freaking grip.

[Anonymous]

Don't let the bad guys win..."Tiki torch company fights back as white supremacists threaten to highjack its image"


http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article168295752.html#fmp%23nyt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg. Get a freaking grip.

For real.

[Anonymous]

Don't let the topic go unspoken, OP. Tell your friends that you were concerned about using them after Charlottesville.

[Anonymous]

Light 'em up, OP. The problem in Charlottesville was not the means of illumination, it was the idiots casting shadows.