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Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
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)
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By: leasha on 2/14/2009 9:49AM
OMG! do people spend there whole day looking for things that are racist? Its really starting to get old! you need to focus on real issues of racism!
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By: angel on 2/14/2009 10:22AM
Well im not sure why all blacks in America think they speak for every black person in the world. I am black and from the carribean and I do not eat ham hocks pork rinds or any other slavery inspired souther dish. And in NYC not alot of people eat these items either. So to all the people that say 95% of blacks eat these foods you are wrong. Maybe alot of African americans in the south eat like that. Please let go of that unhealthy worst part of the animal meat that some of you love so much. Slaves were forced to eat like this. NOw we can get lean chicken breast and eat healthy so that we can avoid some of the health issues that blacks have.
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By: DeeJay on 2/14/2009 11:16AM
"I am black and from the carribean."
That's explains why YOU don't eat the foods advertised in the ad, you're from the Caribbean. My sister's husband is from the Caribbean and he doesn't eat these foods, either. Most Black Caribbeans DON'T eat what Black Americans eat and vice versa. And I don't know WHERE you live at in NYC but I live in Brooklyn, NY and these are the foods I grew-up on, so did the ppl I grew-up with.
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By: charles on 2/14/2009 12:06PM
so you think you will live forever .if you had stayed your dumbazz on the island you'd already be dead.I dont know why people from other places come here and act as if their lives were better where they came from. stay home and improve your island and bathe on a regular basis. dont post again till we are discussing deoderant OK
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By: Curious on 2/16/2009 8:14PM
This is to Angel.
I do respect your opinion but... You do realize what our African ancestors ate ... in Africa?! To this day there still are tribes that kill animals and drink their blood, as they are dying, as a tribal ritual?! That couldn't possibly be healthy nor sanitary. I know the significance of the act so I see why they do it... but some would say it is arcane and they should stop because its the year 2000 and most cultures have given up their old traditions. There are a lot worse things that are eaten around the world, then Chitterlings or ham hocks in America. I do not fault them for eating or drinking what they eat or drink, or for keeping up their tribal African traditions, so why is it wrong for us to partake in some of the "Slave" dishes we were brought up eating, whether they are "slave foods" or not, cooked properly... using those lean meats you rave about and substituting turkey for pork... or olive oil for butter, lard or margerine... they can be healthy and very delicious?!... I really don't believe you have the right to come to America and judge us for keeping that tradition. We don't advocate a slave mentality by eating the foods that they ate... we do that by advocating a segregationist attitude when we should be focusing on total desegregation because how can you expect us to change our eating habits when we can't even change our slave, or separatist, mentality. That of white vs black?
FYI
Respectfully... The article is not in the Carribean or any other place it is in America... Where you WILL find the majority of black americans of slave decent... were raised on... or have eaten ... these foods... and probably still eat them daily, or during the holidays. I don't think the African Americans in this blog are trying to speak for all Blacks, but for the people in which the article was geared... AFRICAN AMERICANS!!
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By: Lady V on 2/14/2009 10:39AM
I would rather spend my time worrying about other things that are more pressing than this ad. It stereotypes us...a little, but...it's true that we do eat those things. At least they did their homework! For the person wanting to know where the store was to shop there, when you find out, let me know!!
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By: Marjorie R White on 2/14/2009 10:43AM
No, I do not believe that the ad is racist or silly. The bargain priced items advertised are foods that a lot of people eat whether they are African-American (Black) or of another race; or whether they were raised in the south or somewhere else in another part of our country. Specifically, chicken/poultry, ham/pork, (both are proteins), peanut butter, bologna, greens(all are proteins). Further, each of the food advertised have much needed nutrients. The side bar that tells the story of accomplished Black people in no way can be viewed as racist, but instead, accepted as enlightening to any reader and therefore the ad is complimentery to the Black race.
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By: Joseph on 2/14/2009 10:49AM
I think about how some churches will have a fund raising and ask people to donate recipes to the cook book. It is an African American Cookbook, and people will give their recipes..some of which are collard greens, hamhocks, chitterlings, the whole thing, including okra which is an African dish. Look at Jewish food, or foods from other areas that we so rave about. Therefore, it is an ad, it is not an offensive ad, but just something that points out to the fact that there are foods that relate to what many Black people, no, what many Southerners do eat. What about hogmaws from the hills of a West Virginia community, or Texas barbecue? Sounds southern to me. So let's not get so out of tune of the real things, and see this as just simply that....food. Collard Greens anyone?
Joseph
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By: Will Myatt on 2/14/2009 11:15AM
I don't know about the store but I'm trying to establish a white history month, I guess that wouldn't be racist as we have black history month.
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By: Curious on 2/15/2009 10:33AM
How about we try a "Shared History Month"... that way everyone can be reminded that it didn't take just one race to build america. It took a shared experience between races... We need to stop focusing on one specific race, in America, and focus on the American experience as a whole. (And not just the negative experiences but the positive as well... if we did that ... we would see that there are a lot of positive shared experiences that we have yet to embrace.)
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