Corny Pops: Kellogg’s Responds To Online Outrage Over Overtly Oppressive Artwork
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Kellogg’s Came Under Fire For “Teaching Racism” Via Cereal Boxes
The folks at Kellog’s lit a fire under Twitter this week when a Marvel Comics writer put them on blast for flagrantly racist artwork that was displayed on their recent box of Corn Pops.
hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? this is teaching kids racism. pic.twitter.com/Nh7M7IFawW
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 24, 2017
yes its a tiny thing, but when you see your kid staring at this over breakfast and realize millions of other kids are doing the same…
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 24, 2017
The scorching hot takes (and hate) came in fast and furious but Kellog’s dealt with the 140-character controversy a lot better than most brands accused of racist marketing have over the years.
According to WSBTV, the writer who helped raise awareness about the bigoted box, Saladin Ahmed, was “pleasantly shocked” with the company’s response.
Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend – we apologize. The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon.
— Kellogg's (@KelloggsUS) October 24, 2017
genuinely appreciate the rapid response
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 24, 2017
Kellog’s also responded via an official statement sent to ABCNews:
“Kellogg Company has respect for all people, and our commitment to diversity and inclusion has long been a top priority. We take feedback very seriously, and it was never our intention to offend anyone. We apologize sincerely. The package artwork has been updated and will begin to appear on store shelves soon as it flows through distribution.”
It never ceases to amaze us at how EASY it would be for companies to avoid these types of public relations disasters. All they would have to do is ask ONE Black person (or person of color) about their ideas BEFORE presenting them to the public.
Anyone with a drop of melanin should have been able to look at cereal box and tell that the optics are bad business.
SMH.
Source: Corny Pops: Kellogg’s Responds To Online Outrage Over Overtly Oppressive Artwork
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