The Johnson family had a great time creating what they thought was a hilariously original Christmas card. Little did they realize they were carrying out the greatest transgression one can commit around the holidays: they offended someone on social media.
The card shows James Johnson holding a sign that reads “Peace on earth” next to his son who’s flashing a ‘thumbs up’ while Lanie Johnson and her daughters sit bound with Christmas lights and packing tape over their mouths.
As soon as they posted the image to Facebook it went viral, and people across the globe started arguing. Hannah Hawkes, the photographer, immediately started receiving complaints. “I’ve actually received messages from people all the way in Germany,” she told ABC.
Facebook viewers complained that the card was sexist, misogynistic, and supported a culture of domestic abuse. Isaac Maxfield sarcastically wrote, “It’s just not the same without a couple of black eyes,” wrote Isaac Maxfield. “Maybe next year you can get a makeup artist to help you really portray the beauty of domestic abuse.”
Lanie was crushed by the overwhelming negative response. “All the negative feedback was real disheartening,” she said. Johnson takes all the credit, and now blame, for the card saying it was her idea after she saw something similar on Pintrest.
Fortunately some people sided with Johnson and saw the innocent humor she intended to share. Melinda D Gonzales wrote, “OK I love the picture everyone looked unharmed ,and having a cute time and it was their photo their lives leave people alone quit being so negative. In most families the dad is absent or mom strung out or something dysfunctional is going on way worse than this the family looks happy well maintained and taken care of so what’s the problem no one looked scared terrified or harmed everyone was safe and happy.”
Mary Beth Malone-Chandler was less sympathetic toward offended critics. She savagely defended the Johnson’s saying “Whaaaaaaa!!!! Big deal! I’m a woman and I am quite the motor mouth. I think this picture is hilarious. I know I’m loved by my husband and kids no matter what. MERRY CHRISTMAS!”