To invoke the words of many a Williams professor, "Let's unpack this, shall we?" The aluminum covered candy at the top of the picture depicts a once very popular cartoon character named 'Little Black Sambo.' The cartoon was inspired by a children's story of the same name that was essentially about a young, very dark boy, trying to escape the ravenous clutches of a large tiger. See the youtube video below for more info.
Now, it is debatable as to whether or not the content of this story is racist in and of itself, but what is indubitably problematic is the way in which the black characters are depicted. Their impossibly dark skin color, overtly large lips, and unusually broad noses culminate in a reproduction of racial stereotype that defines many of the ways black people are depicted even today.
But aside from these debates, one thing that is especially interesting/problematic/scary/definitely racist is that the name of this chocolately morsel in Arabic is "head of the slave..."
As for the second piece of candy. I mean, I think it speaks for itself. Although, a few of my friends of the female persuasion took a shot at eating one of those bars, and they managed to finish it suprisingly. Although it did take all five of them to do it.
Aside from the rather obviously discriminatory nature of these two candies' marketing schemes, the worst thing about them is the fact that they are oh so delicious. It seems that oppression's unscrupulous reach knows no bounds. Not even the sanctity of chocolate is safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment