They’re changing the name of Uncle Ben’s.

[mummabear1967]

www.itv.com/news/2020-09-23/uncle-bens-name-dropped-from-rice-brand-after-logo-criticised-as-racial-stereotype?fbclid=IwAR0QAktv-u9bOTaruhDqMWGIcCJjAMILzpXtmRSe_iYzQE6qKBTWinyaIK8


Why on Earth are they doing that? Have people seriously complained? I don’t know why I’m acting surprised!

[TheFormerPorpentinaScamander]

Well I've learned something new today. I never knew the racist undertones of Uncles Ben's!
Now that I do it can only been seen as a positive move.

[KitchenConfidential]

And to anyone shouting “snowflake” or “pc gone mad”, educate yourself. There’s this crazy thing called google and a million articles about this brand and others that are finally addressing the racist connotations of their brand. Perhaps you don’t know enough the history of the US and slavery, I get that, but go and read, don’t just froth because “you don’t see it”. That is the epitome of white privilege if ever there was.

[CorianderLord]

I mean... it's the old Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben mascots. Which, yes, I would say are racist.

White children used to call black adults Aunt and Uncle because they didn't want to give them the respectful Mr and Mrs titles which would place them as superior to kids.

[janetmendoza]

Are you away that during slavery (usa) Uncle was he term younger white people gave to older slaves? Its not about a family relationship.

[Pellewsmate]

Read Uncle Tom's Cabin to understand the 'Uncle' reference. Has more meaning in USA than here.

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

So...what's Aunt Bessie's various offerings going to be called, I wonder...

[Bitchysideisouttoplay]

I read this article this morning and I was shocked because I have never seen this as racists, I always saw it as a family memeber recipe that everyone loved and just a picture of a happy friendly man on label. I don't know if it makes me naive or not.

[mummabear1967]

I have asked for the thread to be removed

[Longwhiskers14]

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat Aunt Bessie's is a British brand that doesn't have its origins in slavery. There's no comparison.

[Dontforgetyourbrolly]

Tbh I dont know how they got away with it for so long. I've always had an idea of what or represented.
I did grow up in East London 50/50 black /white area so I have grown up knowing about these things , I can understand the confusion though if you genuinely thought he was just someone's kindly uncle !

[CoronaIsWatching]

I just use the supermarket own brands anyway, less than half the price and taste exactly the same

[keeprocking]

Good for them. Yes there’s other shit going on at the moment but they can’t cure Covid, they can however address racist overtones and stereotypes that have been problematic for decades. That can only be a good thing.

Utter rubbish, this is the pathetic wokey nonsense that's made it a joke, hence allowing real problems to continue.

[mummabear1967]

@Bitchysideisouttoplay

I read this article this morning and I was shocked because I have never seen this as racists, I always saw it as a family memeber recipe that everyone loved and just a picture of a happy friendly man on label. I don't know if it makes me naive or not.

Yes that’s what I thought as well. I never ever thought it had a racist meaning behind it. I’m shocked!

[Longwhiskers14]

It's a shame you've done that, mummabear1967, and I hope MN keep it up. Threads like this are important because they educate and inform and hopefully change minds. You did nothing wrong in starting it.

[chomalungma]

@mummabear1967

I’m scared of getting reported for this thread. If I had any idea of the meaning behind uncle bens I would never have posted. I hate racism it’s disgusting.

Did you take the time to think and do some Googling before posting?

It's sometimes a good idea to do that. And use multiple sources as well.

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

It's just a name...

[Yesterdayforgotten]

What?! It's a lovely wise Uncle called Ben who makes home style sauces- at least that is the way I have always seen it. Oh my I'm really having my eyes opened as never viewed it this way whatsoever!

[UntamedWisteria]

OP do you think Robertson's should have kept its former jam logo too?

Lot's of dog whistle racism on this thread.

[LivingOnAnIsland]

Why the assumption of servitude? Why not the assumption of a business man who happens to be black? What's going to replace it?

[bridgetreilly]

If I had any idea of the meaning behind uncle bens I would never have posted.

Next time, maybe google first. And don't assume that cultural context is the same everywhere.

[MiriamMargo]

another one for the snowflakes !

[DaffodilsAndDandelions]

Are they also going to change the name of aunt bessies Yorkshire puddings?

[positivelynegative]

@WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat clearly you don't think. Such an apt name.