Looks like the AriZona beverage maker has decided to ditch the label on their Southern Style Sweet Tea after an e-mail chain letter interpreted the packaging as "racist."Now the New York-based soft drink maker plans to roll out a new label, seen on the right.
Issuing this statement on their Web site, AriZona Beverage Co. said, "The
dialogue helped us to understand the problem and move forward to correct it."
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There has been a series of chain letter e-mails going around (my in-box included) asking to boycott the AriZona soft drink maker because someone interpreted the picture on the can of its 'Southern Style Sweet Tea' as a symbol of slavery.
Here's the best version of the letter I could find ...
"Read this as a Proud Black person and forward this to every Black Person you know! ... When did Slavery become marketable? I'm calling for a nation-wide boycott on a drink company named "Arizona" ... 'Arizona' has a flavor known as "Southern Style Sweet Tea," but if you look closely on the front of the can, there is a picture of a Plantation! Yes ,I said a Plantation, with a white couple on the porch and a black woman dressed like Aunt Jemima walking away from the house.
So, is this what Bill O'Reilly was talking about last year with his "MF'n Ice Tea" remark?
This reminds me of the Snapple controversy a few years back, where people said that there were slave ships on the bottles and the company was being run by the KKK. Or what about the rumors that Coors, KFC, Tropical Fantasy, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew all put chemicals in their products to make black men sterile.
See a common thread? Part of me understands how this idea got started. Naturally, African Americans are apprehensive whenever they come across big white houses reminiscent of a plantation. Second, we've had to put up with this kind of crap before, with Black people being poorly portrayed on products, such as Uncle Ben's Rice, Aunt Jemima, and that Cream of Wheat dude.
But, the big question is whether or not the woman on the can is of African descent. It's really hard to tell at first and AriZona says no way.
The drink maker claims "The art does not translate the same due to limits in printing technology and the limit on the number of colors our can supplier can work with at the same time."
AriZona also attached a larger version of the picture, seen above, which does look different, but corresponds with their statement.
Just to make sure they really get on top of the rumors, they added this little nugget for good measure:
Racism in any form is a blight on mankind that must be opposed whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head. Because good people of all backgrounds rightfully reject this dreadful practice and shun those who spread messages of intolerance, we must first be sure that the label fits before we accuse. ...
I see a white woman on the can in the red dress which kind of kills the whole conspiracy for me.
There's nothing wrong with addressing racism in any form and lord knows it's still very prevalent, but at the same time, people shouldn't jump to boycott something as ambiguous as the alleged color of a woman on a can at least without digging deeper.
Now, if there was only an e-mail chain letter that could so effectively mobilize our people when it really mattered.
Comments: (1196)
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By: Tired of poor me attitude on 2/19/2008 1:33PM
Holy smoke, talk about super sensitive! Hey, do I see chains on the black man on the label? I think that White Woman was saying to him that she was going to sell him. Why not worry about "racist" things that REALLY racist like Uncle Ben's Rice..he was forced to work and harvest, cook and serve that rice to white folk...not the made up stuff.
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By: Derrick on 2/19/2008 2:45PM
"Now, if there was only an e-mail chain letter that could so effectively mobilize our people when it really mattered."
That quote says it all. We need to start mobilizing for a real purpose.
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By: Ted Johnson on 2/19/2008 2:47PM
Get Out Of Town. What is next? Are we to get ticked off at TCM network for showing "Gone With The Wind?"
I Think Black America has graduated up from the days when this was really offensive. This is probably why a Black man is going to be the next person to sit in the Oval Office of the White House.
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By: mike Hunt on 2/19/2008 7:17PM
Get a life people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: Go BUCKS [AT LEAST NEXT SEASON] on 2/19/2008 7:09PM
....PULEEEZZZE....DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE....LIKE READ A BOOK............INSTEAD OF STARING AT A CAN...
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By: Scott on 2/19/2008 8:45PM
It is not a news to receive such chain letters. I can receive more than 5 a day.
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By: Jason on 2/19/2008 9:27PM
Thanks #6. but no thanks. I think I'll stay away from that site. Don't have it, don't want it.
Oh, about the Arizona Tea. I think the picture is just supposed to represent the south in the early years sans the black maid. I don't see anything racist about it. Lets face it, way back when, there were lots of plantations. When I was growing up, there were plantations. I think someone is being a little too sensitive.
Does anyone remember the the name of the leather jackets that were so expensive that were actually marketed by the KKK? I think the name was TROOP. But I'm not sure.
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By: Cecil Jones on 2/20/2008 3:25AM
This is why I advocate the use of the N-word! Arizona Sweet Iced Tea is economical and refreshing. It's a bargain at 99 cents. Attacking this brand is safe. It's like Al Sharpton picking and choosing his racial battles. If you want a real racist symbol to attack, look closely at some of the TV logos. They are so blatant they do theirs "Bamboozled Style." Look at the logos before you get mad at me. Shut up and drink the tea.
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By: J.E.Anglin on 2/22/2008 1:15AM
The picture is very tricky to me. The man on the porch with the other lady looks Black to me. But I can see where (they) tried to keep Black people out of the picture. It is all up too your interpretation. Why a plantation in the first place?
God Bless
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By: Tinesha on 2/20/2008 7:15AM
I love this tea!!! I really never stared and day dreamed at the can! I only shake and turn it up again to make sure it's really empty! Man I hate it when it's all gone! Drink more Arizona Sweet Tea it's affordable and it taste Sweet!
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