The Carolina Panthers thought they’d help a young African-American child who trying to save money so he can afford college. But what they did has brought unwanted attention to the NFL team.
Over the weekend, the Panthers posted a video of Jaylin Clyburn mowing lawns as a way to raise funds for his education fund. A voice-over intones:
“We needed his expertise so we brought him to Charlotte.”
Clyburn is shown being told by a team official that Lowe’s has agreed to donate a lawnmower to him on behalf of the Panthers.
Shortly before the video concludes, Clyburn is made an “official member” of the team’s grounds crew.
Here’s the video:
12-year-old Jaylin Clyburn started mowing lawns to save for college this summer.@Lowes and @RiverboatRonHC heard his story and got him all new equipment for his growing business ? pic.twitter.com/PmlcdiQXH8
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 6, 2019
Social media quickly lit up with scorn for the Panthers, reminding them they could have paid for a scholarship if they hadn’t been so cheap:
You’d think one of these HUGE CORPORATIONS would’ve just given him a college scholarship so this kid could continue being a kid.
— Small Screen Girl (@KiraJW) September 8, 2019
Instead of really helping this young brother with a scholarship or a bond you do the minimum and then tweet it out so they world will see how Wonderful you are…folkx DO NOT congratulate them SHAME them
— the black mommy activist (@kayewhitehead) September 8, 2019
Imagine having so much yet giving this child so little. How about a scholarship so he can focus on being a kid and studying?
— gia jordan (@giajordan) September 8, 2019
Corporate propaganda at its finest. Turn a nightmare story about a kid being forced to work instead of focusing on school and doing kid stuff into a feel good story about how corporations are really nice dontcha know.
He wouldn’t need to do this if we had an equitable society.
— Dr. Grand Moff Duke?? (@shaunduke) September 8, 2019
Corporate propaganda at its finest. Turn a nightmare story about a kid being forced to work instead of focusing on school and doing kid stuff into a feel good story about how corporations are really nice dontcha know.
He wouldn’t need to do this if we had an equitable society.
— Dr. Grand Moff Duke?? (@shaunduke) September 8, 2019
America is “supposed” to be the greatest country in the world? Instead of giving the kid equipment to mow lawns, did it ever occur to any of these corporations to assist him with paying for college? #SundayThoughts
— Own Your Masters (@ThaArchitect) September 8, 2019
We heard you were working your ass of to pay for college, so we’re gonna give you new equipment to continue to work yourself to death just to be in debt when you actually get there because working yourself to death wasn’t enough. Great job guys! @Panthers @Lowes
— Asja (@KoKoRealness) September 8, 2019
Whiteness is one helluva drug.
— Pedro Nicolaci da Costa (@pdacosta) September 8, 2019
Featured Image Via Screenshot
