Sharpton Creates Fury; Says Industry Finish Names Racist

Al Sharpton, in a rare public appearance, has ignited a fury over the furniture industry's use of derisive wood finish names. Sharpton claims a lack of cultural diversity in the industry has led to wood finishes with culturally insensitive names like 'distressed black,' 'espresso' and 'ebony.' "There's a 'pearl white' but there's no 'pearl black' " said Sharpton into a megaphone to applause at a crowd of nearly 12,000 outside Chicago. "There's 'sand' and 'shell' but the dark finish is 'midnight?' --They're at the beach all day and we're up at midnight causing trouble, that's outrageous" said Sharpton.

Sharpton has also pleaded with retailers to boycott Lexington Furniture's new contemporary collection, 'Black Ice.' "What the hell does that mean anyway?" asked Sharpton. "I do know ice is dangerous and when I see the word 'black' in front of it I think clearly this is a racist collection. It's outrageous. Why not call it 'Cracker Ice' " said an angry Sharpton.

Industry executives responded with a mix of confusion and anger, "first, espresso is a coffee beverage and not a racist term" wrote Rob Sligh, Chairman of Sligh Furniture Company in a strongly worded letter to Sharpton. Sharpton responding to the letter saying only, "there you go again, Rob."

Industry executives were not available for comment but the Furniture Manufacturer's Association in a written statement said the industry has a longstanding commitment to diversity from the factory floor to the executive suite.