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Cream of Wheat now reviewing mascot amid Black Lives Matter backlash
[NYPOST] Is Cream of Wheat next in line for a social-justice makeover?Cream of Wheat is now re-evaluating its black mascot following announcements by Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben’s that they would overhaul their controversial imaging amid online criticism. The move comes in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests over the deaths of George Floyd and other black men while in police custody. "We understand there are concerns regarding the Chef image," said B&G Foods in an emailed statement, adding that they "are initiating an immediate review" of the cereal brand’s packaging. The Cream of Wheat parent company is referring to their 130-year-old beaming cook logo, which was based on Rastus, a black caricature that appeared in minstrel shows in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reports CNN. The stereotypical chef was portrayed in early Cream of Wheat ads as a slow-witted former slave, and the name Rastus still has racial connotations today. Since then, the image has been updated to make it less offensive, however, experts claim that the racist undertones remain. "Why aren't there any black mascots?" "Oh, shuddup!" "Racism, that's what it is!" Posted by: Fred 2020-06-19 |
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