RIVER FALLS, Wis. – Royal Credit Union found itself inadvertently caught up in a bit of a controversy here in both local mass media and social media.
The credit union made a donation to and helped raise funds for what was originally named the “Roger T. White Pride Fitness Room as presented by RCU” at Meyer Middle School here. The school’s principal and chief fundraiser, Chuck Eaton, commented in a local news story that the name would likely be informally shortened to “White Pride Fitness Room.”
While not intentional, the appearance of cultural insensitivity set off a storm of negative comments in social media. The School Superintendent followed up with a press release that sought to clarify the naming issue and has offered up two alternatives.
“To prevent any future misunderstanding, the fitness center will be name and referred to as the ‘Roger T. White Wildcat Fitness Room’ or the ‘Roger T. White Fitness Room as Presented by RCU’,” the superintendent said.