Fashion Week Flash: Tracy Reese Fall 2012 (PHOTOS)
54 Ways to Say "I Love You" In Africa
So, I've just accepted it. Holidays would barely be noticed these days if not for time off and the now-expected store sales that go with them. Over-size newspaper pages bark up the bargains to be found at after-Thanksgiving sales, after-Christmas sales, Independence Day sales, Presidents' Day sales and now, in a true nod to equality, Black History Month sales!
But...erm...this latest effort highlighted by Gawker was not exactly what I was expecting from a grocery store. Here it is ...
Now, I want to say right off the bat that I do not think the ad is intentionally racist. The sidebar, in fact, is extremely informative. But I do think the selections of featured foods is downright boneheaded, narrow minded and dumb. I mean no grape drink? (I kid, I kid...) But, really, who are the people who made these selections and what black people have they dined with?
Don't get me wrong, I love my collards and ham hocks. In fact, some who've tasted my secret recipe have told me that they're the best they've ever had. But why are collards and ham hocks black and not Southern? What is a Hawaiian Punch cake? The ever funny folks at Gawker sum up the same sentiments with this:
"Some "PC" types say this ad is "racist," but a company rep explains that "this ad was intended to celebrate Black History Month and African American culture by sharing with our customers some of the contributions African Americans have made to the grocery industry."I would actually be very interested in Rainbow's management talking about their decision to include these particular foods. Perhaps, perhaps, the store is located in a neighborhood where these food selections are predominant. I would be curious to find out.
Stay tuned for some of their future diversity-celebrating ads for sales:
Polish History Month: Kielbasa, Glue (for sniffing), Light bulbs (How many Poles to screw one in? Ha.).
Russian History Month: Vodka, AK-47s, Vodka.
Women's History Month: Tampons, Kitchen Items, (Go Make Me) A Sandwich. Source
Our History Remembered
February 14, 1946
Actor, dancer, singer, choreographer and arts activist Gregory Hines was born in New York City. This Tony Award-winning star of the stage also appeared in dozens of films over his career, including 'The Preacher's Wife' (1996) and 'Waiting to Exhale' (1995). Sadly, Hines passed away in 2003 at the age of 57.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
February 9, 1944
Author, speaker, activist, feminist, womanist, and poet Alice Walker was born in Eatonton, Georgia. Best known for her award-winning novel 'The Color Purple' (1982), Walker was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2006.
John Amis, AP
February 13, 1920
Andrew "Rube" Foster (pictured here) became successful in organizing the first Negro baseball league, known as the Negro National League (NNL). Foster is credited as being the father of black baseball.
Diamond Images, Getty Images
February 8, 1944
According to the African-American Registry: "On this date in 1944, Harry S. McAlpin was the first African-American journalist admitted to a White House press conference. He was working for the National Negro Press Association and the Atlanta Daily World."
Photodisc
February 12, 1970
Joseph Searles became the first African-American member admitted to the New York Stock Exchange, working as a floor partner with the firm Neburger, Loeb and Company.
February 10, 1927
World-renowned soprano opera singer Leontyne Price was born Mary Violet Leontine Price in Laurel, Mississippi. Among her many achievements on the stage, Price's 1961 performance in Verdi's 'Il Trovatore' is remembered the 41-minute ovation she received.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
February 14, 1991
The SuperSoaker water gun was patented by scientist and inventor Lonnie G. Johnson (shown here). In addition to inventing this much-loved water gun, Johnson has worked with the US Air Force and NASA.
John Bazemore, AP
February 11, 1990
Human rights activist Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving 27 years at the Robin Island penitentiary in South Africa for working to end the country's racist apartheid regime. Mandela became an international symbol of human rights during that time, and continues to fight for uplifting causes today.
AP
Comments: (757)
Add a comment
By: deb on 2/13/2009 3:16PM
I see nothing wrong with the ad. It is educational in that it highlights some of the many achievements by those people of African descent now living in America. The foods advertised are foods traditionally eaten by us,and are put on sale to encourage a celebration of families.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: lisa on 2/16/2009 5:47PM
I personally think that its an honor for the store to identify Black History Month with educational material on the side. I would like to take a poll in the store location to find out out how many actual read the material.Instead of complaining they need to thank the manager because next year he might not even bother. I suppose management is saying to themselves you can't make black people happy.
As for the foods of our culture, thaT IS PROBABLY THE FOODS THAT MANY BLACKS PURCHASE IN THAT AREA SO THEY RAN A SPECIAL TO ATTRACT THEIR BUSINESS. I SEE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG.
Report This
By: sharon on 2/17/2009 9:13AM
down here it is called "soul food", we have abl resturants that specialize in "soul food". thank you very much. nothing racist about great food.
Report This
By: shirley on 2/17/2009 10:16AM
Oh give me a break....who are the ones that now have said this ad is recist??? This is just an ad...come on. Let it be what it is...an ad and sale for groceries. If it is the black s who are upset by this ad then they need to get a life and quit crying.. The ad in the Albertsons paper last week had white cabbage and I did not think that was racist...lets get over stuff like this and stop making such a fuss and try to move forward.
Report This
By: D. on 2/17/2009 10:58AM
I wouldn’t consider this Ad. racist if say this store was black-owned and operated and the shoppers that frequented the store were mostly black, but if not the case, I think it shows poor taste, lack of judgment, and ignorance bordering on being a little racist. It’s nice that they add the little bits of trivia on the side (maybe as a deterrent), but what I think most people fail to see is the way in which particular food products were deceptively and maybe deliberately advertised. That is what many may see as racist. What would have made it even worse, would have been to have advertised watermelon, butterbeans, and sweet potato pie in that ad.
Report This
By: jack on 2/17/2009 11:39AM
I think having black history month is racial. nobody else has a month about their race
Report This
By: Ken on 2/17/2009 11:57AM
If there were a Southern month I'd be proud for it to have collards, ham hocks, boiled peanuts, and grits. As long as they didn't call my Coke damned Pop. Much of Southern food and Soul food are one and the same. I feel the ad was a fair attempt to honor the occasion. For all anyone knows, it was written by African Americans!
Report This
By: Tab on 2/17/2009 11:59AM
When you say by us, who exactly do you mean. I have not eaten any of these foods in the past 30 years. Why did these people not put fresh fruits, veggies and wholesome foods on sale. Most of the people I know try to eat a health balance diet.
Report This
By: Ashley on 2/17/2009 4:28PM
To the dude who said that having black history month was racist because nobody else has a month...there is a national native month in october and a national latino month, they just dont get as much attention (if any which is sad). As for this ad, I'm not thinking racists as much as it might be stereotypical. I'm black and I have never eaten any of those foods listed. I'm more of a pita bread and hummus girl myself. I think we're being a bit too sensitive.
Report This
By: marilyn on 2/17/2009 5:16PM
Looks like a good add to me. I live in the deep south and am white. Those advertized foods are normal foods to me. I'll take fried chicken over steak any day.
Report This