Supermarket Prints Dumb Black History Month Ad

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."

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

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.

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.