WOKE Uncle Ben’s rice says ‘now is the right time to evolve the brand’

[1911user]

Uncle Ben’s rice says ‘now is the right time to evolve the brand’

National


by: The Associated Press and Nexstar Media Wire
Posted: Jun 17, 2020 / 12:07 PM CDT / Updated: Jun 17, 2020 / 12:07 PM CDT

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 23: Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice is seen during Ben’s Beginners Cooking Contest Launch Event: Back to the Future Of Cooking at Home Studios on August 23, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Uncle Ben’s)

NEW YORK — The owner of the Uncle Ben’s brand of rice says the brand will “evolve” in response to concerns about racial stereotyping.

Caroline Sherman, a spokeswoman for Mars, which owns Uncle Ben’s, says the company is listening to the voices of consumers, especially in the black community, and recognizes that “now is the right time to evolve the brand, including its visual identity.”

In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, activists and consumers have demanded that companies take a stand against racial injustice or lose their business.

The singer Kirby posted a TikTok video called “How to Make a Non Racist Breakfast” explaining some of the backstory of the Aunt Jemima brand. That video went viral.

Land O’Lakes announced earlier this year that it would no longer use the Native American woman who had graced its packages of butter, cheese and other products since the late 1920s.

Also on Wednesday, Quaker Oats announced it is retiring the 131-year-old Aunt Jemima brand, saying the company recognizes the character’s origins are “based on a racial stereotype.”

Quaker, which is owned by PepsiCo, said its overhauled pancake mix and syrup will hit shelves by the fourth quarter of 2020. The company will announce the new name at a later date.

 

[mzkitty]

Like I said in the other thread -- these black people represented their brands. It wasn't an insult. It showed they were good enough to be associated with the company, their spokespeople as it were.

Guess what? I loved Uncle Ben's for many years. Now I won't buy it.

I don't eat pancakes so I never bought Aunt Jemima, but that's the reason, not that Aunt Jemima was black.

These are some way foolish companies.

Well, we all must go into the black box of insignificance, I suppose.

 

[raven]

to be rebranded as"
Uncle Charlie's
Wuhan
Fried Rice
(Uncle Charlie Chan is Corona Chan's Uncle)

 

[Meemur]

I guess they could just stop using any images of humans on food and use the company name instead of aunt or uncle, so something like Kroger Instant Rice or A & E Butter. (A&E is an Iowa dairy)

I would think that would stop most of the complaints, but some people aren't happy unless they have something to complain about.

 

[Bubble Head]

Always thought Uncle Ben and Aunt Jemima were an item.

 

[nwillitts]

“evolve”

 

[dvo]

Lots of brands from which to buy rice. Go eff yourselves.

 

[Practical]

How bout a plain black package that says 'Rice'.

That'll sell product!

 

[packyderms_wife]

I find it fascinating that they are removing people of color from products... I wonder if they realize that some of us view this as racist?

 

[Bps1691]

Can see it now.....

 

[hunybee]

this last week, it seems like everyday is run by "the onion".

 

[Meemur]

I find it fascinating that they are removing people of color from products... I wonder if they realize that some of us view this as racist?

I agree. However, if they remove *all* human images, maybe use an image of the product or company logo, they might face fewer complaints. The Land o' Lakes butter package is now an image of a plate of butter with a lake in the background. I'm sure someone somewhere would find something to complain about, but I see that as a neutral image. Maybe that's not a bad thing in this day and age. I know if I were marketing a product in this climate, I would use a scene from nature if at all possible.

 

[jazzy]

they need to change their logo over to justin trudeau in black face then its all good, right? that could work for aunt jemima too, just put a bow in his hair or something.

see how easy that was?

 

[Housecarl]

How bout a plain black package that says 'Rice'.

That'll sell product!

Remember the yellow "generic" packaging from back in the day?

 

[DazedandConfused]

I'll never buy those brands again, the list keeps getting longer.

 

[Meemur]

I'll never buy those brands again, the list keeps getting longer.

I shop at Aldi and Fareway . . . I buy store brands as much as possible but sometimes, due to sales or availability, I need to buy what is there, so I boycott very little in the way of food and beverages.

 

[PghPanther]

and in other news...........

...........the CIAA and CFA organizers of cat breeding and shows internationally have determined that the breed known as Mainecoon will under go a name change in light of the current social situation.

I kid you not.................they aren't going to keep that name..........

from now on known as maybe Mainefloyd cats........

 

[IRoberge]

I will evolve myself out of buying any products from these whipped companies.

 

[TKO]

I really love all this because it means Trump is going to win by a freaking landslide.

 

[mzkitty]

Well, what with "Raz" from Seattle (you know, the war lord) being paid/supported by a muzzie country,

all I can say is this plays right into muzzie hands. They don't allow images of people in their creed also.

See how that works?

 

[AlfaMan]

So now food branding is racist and harmful. Good God when is the insanity going to stop?
Just went to the kitchen, Uncle Ben's box of minute rice is now poured out and sitting in the f'ing trash can. Don't buy Aunt Jemima, no sugar free. And Quaker is owned by Pepsi? Box of Quaker oats just joined the rice. F !!!! these idiots. Yankee trash Pepsi doesn't enter my home anyway. Hated them for years!

A question though?
So does this mean the Gorton's fisherman is going to "evolve"? I can see it- The Gorton's fisherman evolves into a flamboyantly gay cross dresser-out with the yellow slicker, in with rainbow sequins! And a man bun! And that fishing pole he's holding? Well, it's not longer a fishing pole....or maybe it is, just depends on what he's fishing for.........

 

[Publius]

So what are they going to call it? Perhaps Uncle Toms Rice.

 

[beDplorable]

stop using any images of humans

You know who doesn't allow images of humans in their artwork (maybe advertising too)?

Muslims

 

[TKO]

I'll continue to buy real maple syrup. Log Cabin, Aunt Jemima, etc. All are crap compared to real maple syrup or even sorghum.

 

[raven]

I never bought Uncle Bens rice or any other "rice" in a box.
Always in a plastic bag.
One cup of rice, two cups of water, 20 mins.
How ****ing hard is that?
I am also partial to the fideo my grandmother used to make - she called it spanish rice.
It was a long time before I learned it was not rice.

 

[FireDance]

and in other news...........

...........the CIAA and CFA organizers of cat breeding and shows internationally have determined that the breed known as Mainecoon will under go a name change in light of the current social situation.

I kid you not.................they aren't going to keep that name..........

from now on known as maybe Mainefloyd cats........

Lord. Keep on keepin’ on and Elon Musk will have been ahead of his time. Ugh.

 

[tortminder]

It makes sense with Uncle Ben's. After all, it IS white rice!

 

[tiredude]

He aint my uncle...….

by the way ...... 'they' might not like him........ he was in the house...…...

 

[Dennis Olson]

Rename it from “Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice” to “Uncle Joe’s Perverted Rice.”

 

[MetalMan]

Raccoon turns himself in. Claims he is a victim and had no input on the naming of his species.

 

[pinkelsteinsmom]

I like it. Time to take all blacks off all products, ads, movies etc.