Uncle Ben's rice changes name to more 'equitable' brand

[Gerald]

Uncle Ben's Rice will change its name to Ben's Original and remove the image of a smiling, grey-haired black man from its packaging.

The change follows through on a pledge its owner Mars Food made in June to review the brand amid global protests over police brutality and racism.

Uncle Ben's entered the market in the 1940s and was for decades the best-selling rice in the US.

Its marketing has been criticised for perpetuating racial stereotypes.

Titles such as uncle and aunt were used in southern US states to refer to black people, instead of the more formal and respectful "Miss" or "Mister".

The name Uncle Ben's was supposedly inspired by a Texas farmer known for his high-quality rice. The company asked the head waiter at a fancy Chicago restaurant, Frank Brown, to pose as the face of the brand, which launched in 1947.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54269358

Uncle Ben's "family", they have no objection!

[Catfish]

^ quite idiotic.
Do they really think the far right will stop being racist if they rename monuments, brands and street signs?

[August]

Originally Posted by Catfish

^ quite idiotic.
Do they really think the far right will stop being racist if they rename monuments, brands and street signs?

Yeah that's not any more likely than the far left will stop trying to turn us into a Peoples Republic if we de-fund our police departments. If anything I would think that forcibly destroying a monument to someones ancestors will generate more hatred than take it away.

[mapuc]

I have always preferred Uncle Ben's rice... well from the day I moved to my own.

Additionally I have always seen his face as something positiv I have never seen it as something negative/racist.

Markus

[Buddahaid]

I never understood why anyone would use it as rice is not hard to make. Maybe I'm just remembering the "converted" rice my mom used to buy.

[Mr Quatro]

So if Popeye was black we would have to stop eating spinach

[Sean C]

Yep, we've done it! Congratulations, everyone! Now, when our impressionable children go to the store with us, they will be safe - because all they will see is the Pillsbury dough boy, the Lucky Charms leprechaun, Cap'n Crunch, the Keebler elf ...



Yep ...


Nuthin' but white mascots ...


...


Wait ...

[Catfish]

^ it gets difficult

Originally Posted by August

Yeah that's not any more likely than the far left will stop trying to turn us into a Peoples Republic if we de-fund our police departments.

The US will be turned into a people's republic by defunding police departments? I thought a strong police force is what keeps the current "people's republics" existing, or better their dictators?

If anything I would think that forcibly destroying a monument to someones ancestors will generate more hatred than take it away.

I generally agree, but there are exceptions. Monuments or memorials are usually erected to praise someone, so a slaver or e.g. King Leopold of Belgium with his 40 million killed africans should at least get some info text on his heroic statue. As should Bomber Harris' monument.

So all the Lenin, Marx, Stalin and Mao statues should not have been removed. Adding Saddam Hussein monuments in Iraq to the list..

[Jimbuna]

Done that years ago with one of our favourite household brands of jam.

[lesrae]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Done that years ago with one of our favourite household brands of jam.

This makes me think of the years I spent being called 'Jam' because my surname is Robertson and I had red hair...

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by mapuc

I have always preferred Uncle Ben's rice... well from the day I moved to my own.

Additionally I have always seen his face as something positiv I have never seen it as something negative/racist.

Markus

Me neither.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Done that years ago with one of our favourite household brands of jam.

Pretty much a golliwog on that label.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Pretty much a golliwog on that label.

That's precisely why the label was changed.

[Aktungbby]

Some things never change??!! in parts of the world.... https://blackhistorycollection.org/2014/09/30/darkie-toothpaste-japan/

In 1990, after Colgate-Palmolive acquired Hawley & Hazel, the English name of the toothpaste was changed to “Darlie”, and the image on the packaging was altered to show a racially ambiguous face in a top hat. The Chinese name of the brand, “黑人牙膏” (in English, “Black Person Toothpaste”), remains the same, and a Chinese-language advertising campaign reassured customers that “Black Person Toothpaste is still Black Person Toothpaste”.
After the Colgate acquisition the toothpaste continued to be sold in some Asian countries, including China, Malaysia and Thailand where its brand and logo are not considered offensive. Colgate announced the product would not be sold outside of Asia. According to a 1989 article, the toothpaste held 75 percent of the market in Taiwan, 50 percent in Singapore, 30 percent in Malaysia and Hong Kong and 20 percent in Thailand. On June 19, 2020, Colgate-Palmolive announced it will work with Hawley & Hazel to "review and further evolve all aspects" of the Darlie brand, including the brand name. At the time of the announcement, the Chinese name of Darlie still continues to be "黑人牙膏" (in English, "Black Person Toothpaste"). The announcement followed similar announcements made by PepsiCo/Quaker Oats (Aunt Jemima) and Mars, Incorporated (Uncle Ben's) for their respective brands.

Why don't they just call it Top Hat toothpaste and get on with it?

[August]

Originally Posted by Catfish

The US will be turned into a people's republic by defunding police departments?

No, that is not what I said.