This Store’s “Offensive” Window Display Is Making National Headlines

Located in El Paseo, California, one business owner decided to get political by creating a window display complete with White Lives Matter T-shirts. The “offensive” slogan, which was created in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, has largely been deemed racist by the general public because it misses the point of the Black Lives Matter movement entirely – which looks to repair some of the damage from the hundreds of years Black people were enslaved on the North American continent.

Although the owner of Denise Roberge Gallery is proud of the White Lives Matter display in the storefront, other business owners in the area report that the display is hurting business. The negative attention to El Paseo has reduced sales in the area and has forced customers away because of the display’s offensive message, which is often seen as threatening to people of color.

Mike Peterson owns another business close to the gallery with the racist display. Peterson is not happy with the display because it is hurting his business, and he wants it gone.

“I think that businesses should stick to their business and leave the politics to the side,” Peterson said. “We have heard a lot of negative feedback from customers that come in upset about it.”

Another business owner, John Southorn, the owner of Lotus Garden Center, fears that the White Lives Matter display could taint public opinion in El Paseo. Not only does the offensive display drive customers away from the area, but it can also promote anti-Black Lives Matter racism that could result in racist-fueled violence.

“We all have our own beliefs and thoughts, and I think people come to El Paseo to get away from the stresses of everyday life, and I don’t think we should get confronted necessarily with political statements or religious statements,” Southorn said.

Although this White Lives Matter display might be the reason you’re first hearing about the Denise Roberge Gallery, it is not the first time the business got political with its storefront. In the months leading up to Trump’s loss in the 2020 general election, the gallery displayed decapitated heads of prominent Democrats with tape covering their mouths. Mannequins that were part of the display were wearing the iconic Trump supporter “Make America Great Again” hat.

Addressing the display, the City of Palm Desert released a statement saying: “The City of Palm Desert is empowered to regulate commercial signage, but this is different. While many people – including residents, visitors, other business owners on El Paseo, and City staff members – have expressed their objections to and offense at the contents of Ms. Roberge’s shop window, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and its protections of free speech means that the City is unable to regulate this type of political expression.”

Southern feels that the gallery is doing it because their business is struggling, and they need free publicity.

“Maybe they do it just for advertising,” Southorn stated.

Roberge, the owner of the White Lives Matter display, refused to speak on-camera with NBC Palm Springs but did report off-camera that despite the flood of negative comments, she received a letter of support from one person.

Meanwhile, Yelp customers are not happy. One person complained that “Denise was very drunk upon arrival, could barely stand, so embarrassing on her part!”

What do you think about the display?