'People were very offended': 'Tone deaf'
corporations facing backlash for Juneteenth
themed products
CNN,
by
Staff
Original Article
Posted By: earlybird,
6/18/2022 11:43:28 AM
Cherlisa Starks-Richardson was disappointed when she learned that the beloved children's museum in her community was selling a "watermelon salad" in celebration of Juneteenth.
Starks-Richardson, who often took her daughter to the Indianapolis Children's Museum growing up, said she expected the museum would be more focused on educating the public about Juneteenth -- which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans -- instead of serving themed foods. To make matters worse, she said, watermelon has historically been used as a racist trope against Black Americans.
"People were very offended by it," said Starks-Richardson, an educator in the Indianapolis area. "Everybody is trying to capitalize off Juneteenth to make money.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
vrb8m 6/18/2022 11:48:12 AM (No. 1189801)
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
24 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
NorthernDog 6/18/2022 11:53:28 AM (No. 1189809)
Sliced-up watermelon in food courts is very common in the summertime. Many people love it for being refreshing and a good source of hydration on a hot day. Not sure why they have to label it racist right off the bat.
35 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Rather Read 6/18/2022 12:03:37 PM (No. 1189819)
Ms Starks-Richardson, watermelon originated in Africa. The closest to our modern watermelon is a type of melon from Sudan. As for commercializing the holiday - sweetie, they've commercialized just about every holiday for years and years. What makes you think that Juneteenth is immune? Eat some watermelon, it's good for you, it's refreshing and quit getting so hot and bothered about little things.
43 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Strike3 6/18/2022 12:10:38 PM (No. 1189826)
Are they actually suggesting that all black holidays are NOT designed to draw money and sympathy for black people and causes? People so adverse to work certainly need a lot of time-off holidays.
18 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
snowoutlaw 6/18/2022 12:24:22 PM (No. 1189844)
Almost as bad as selling fish on Fridays or Kosher for Hanukkah.
34 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
hershey 6/18/2022 12:27:04 PM (No. 1189848)
Pull up your big girl panties and live with it...Juneteenth is just another made up holiday....
42 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
Rich323 6/18/2022 12:29:10 PM (No. 1189853)
Put that merch on the clearance shelf right next to the Kwanza crap.
36 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
pearlyjo 6/18/2022 12:30:50 PM (No. 1189857)
Have these folks been through a Christmas or Easter season in this country? If you want the public educated about your holiday, get out and do it, but then don’t cry cultural appropriation if a white or Asian person joins in the celebration.
15 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
Venturer 6/18/2022 12:33:35 PM (No. 1189862)
Everything offends blacks
Today's blacks should be thanking their ancestors that they are lucky enough to be in America
37 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
coldborezero 6/18/2022 12:41:30 PM (No. 1189869)
I grew up in Texas. I’ve been eating “ice-cold watermelon” since I could take solid food; maybe before. I never realized that the wonderful watermelon was the sole province of blacks. I feel so ashamed for having appropriated THEIR culture. Please forgive me, black people.
22 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
bad-hair 6/18/2022 12:48:59 PM (No. 1189880)
Watermelon salad ???
You mean they didn't go whole hog soul food ???
Love my Memphis barbecue when I can get there because I'm a Rayyycist.
12 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
zephyrgirl 6/18/2022 12:59:35 PM (No. 1189889)
I'm offended that "Juneteenth" is a Federal holiday. Isn't the holiday for a plagaising, adulterer enough?
30 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
udanja99 6/18/2022 1:05:55 PM (No. 1189896)
Being offended is a choice, sweetie. Grow up and get over yourself.
BTW, I think it’s hilarious that Father’s Day falls on Juneteenth this year. Oh, the irony!
36 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
lakerman1 6/18/2022 1:12:56 PM (No. 1189901)
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves - but only in the South. Most people don't know that, but now you people do.
(Lincoln was in favor of colonizing blacks, moving them out of the U.S. and placing them in a warm environment on a different continent. Had he not been assassinated, no one knows if he would have been successful at this.)
18 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
marbles 6/18/2022 1:22:16 PM (No. 1189906)
# 5 It's kosher for Passover, not Chanukah.
8 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
ironchefw 6/18/2022 1:33:14 PM (No. 1189913)
Marinate in your "I'm offended by everything" hate-rage.
No wonder we have a mental health crisis in this country.
14 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
TJ54 6/18/2022 2:17:15 PM (No. 1189944)
I am having fried chicken to celebrate!
15 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
qr4j 6/18/2022 2:24:27 PM (No. 1189948)
I love watermelon. I’m not black. I wonder if this really was just a typical summer menu item or if it was intended to celebrate Juneteenth. It could be a coincidence.
5 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
SweetPea3 6/18/2022 2:29:07 PM (No. 1189950)
Oh, fer crying out loud. Enjoying watermelon on a hot summers day is universal across all races and ethnicities. It's not like they're holding Run Down the Street With a Flat Screen TV races on the mall or such.
16 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
chumley 6/18/2022 2:34:41 PM (No. 1189953)
I am offended every time some corporation jumps on the bandwagon to support every weirdo fake cause out there, from black holidays to gay holidays to trannie holidays to pedophile holidays. Does anyone care about my outrage? Certainly not. I dont start riots, I just go about my day.
13 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
volksford 6/18/2022 2:39:22 PM (No. 1189955)
We should have four holidays in America ....Christmas,Thanksgiving, Forth of July and George Washington's ACTUAL birthday. Now all you federal employees get your asses back to work.
14 people like this.
Reply 22 - Posted by:
Trump Won 6/18/2022 2:56:45 PM (No. 1189963)
I guess the chitlins on top of the watermelon salad was a bit much.
9 people like this.
Reply 23 - Posted by:
YorkieMom 6/18/2022 3:18:06 PM (No. 1189966)
So true, #1. Three people complain, and the stupid corporations bend over backwards trying to please them. Then, five more complain because someone was insulted or unhappy.
6 people like this.
Reply 24 - Posted by:
Vesicant 6/18/2022 3:59:26 PM (No. 1189986)
When you're out looting and burning your local stores and museums, you don't want no stinkin' watermelon. A juneteenth Patek Philippe, sure -- dat beez bling with classz.
4 people like this.
Reply 25 - Posted by:
BeatleJeff 6/18/2022 4:26:43 PM (No. 1190005)
What's the big deal? Every other holiday has been commercialized, so why not commercialize Democrats Pander to African Americans Day as well?
6 people like this.
Reply 26 - Posted by:
ussjimmycarter 6/18/2022 4:50:34 PM (No. 1190023)
Went to the Amanda colonies sophmore year in college Sunday night with 15 guys from our dorm. 3 of them were black. After everyone was done I asked the server if the had any watermelon! Silence and then everyone broke up! One of the black guys said we could take our shoes off and spit seeds at car! We all became great friends! I’d be lynched today!
4 people like this.
Reply 27 - Posted by:
ussjimmycarter 6/18/2022 4:51:23 PM (No. 1190024)
Amana! Spell check!!!
4 people like this.
Reply 28 - Posted by:
WhamDBambam 6/18/2022 5:12:56 PM (No. 1190046)
Jumeteemf, jeez...
3 people like this.
Reply 29 - Posted by:
cor-vet 6/18/2022 7:33:41 PM (No. 1190127)
Juneteenth and 'Baby Daddy Day' being celebrated on the same day. At least in dem cities! For me, I think a Father's Day Bar-B-Que with an iced down watermelon will make this white crackers day complete!
3 people like this.
Reply 30 - Posted by:
vinegrower 6/18/2022 8:44:07 PM (No. 1190152)
If they are offended by this they should really be offended by the new art sculpture that the NOLA mayor LaToya Cantrell just dedicated for Juneteenth. It is a two story giant afro hair pick. But the mayor says "It's fitting for the time and place" I would be offended by this ridiculous sculpture.
4 people like this.
Reply 31 - Posted by:
downnout 6/18/2022 9:16:08 PM (No. 1190174)
I am so tired of all this…whatever happened to tolerance, kindness, good manners and trying to live by the Golden Rule?
3 people like this.
Reply 32 - Posted by:
watashiyo 6/18/2022 10:02:05 PM (No. 1190212)
Why even have this thing called Juneteenth? Ridiculous, just like "Cinco de Mayo".
3 people like this.
Reply 33 - Posted by:
mifla 6/19/2022 4:15:59 AM (No. 1190317)
If this were my worst problem in life, I would be extremely happy.
0 people like this.
Reply 34 - Posted by:
F15 Gork 6/19/2022 6:42:43 AM (No. 1190335)
Reminds me. I need to get started on this years Kwanza planning. Oh never mind. Nothing is required.
0 people like this.
Reply 35 - Posted by:
Goose 6/19/2022 7:20:03 AM (No. 1190346)
""Everybody is trying to capitalize off Juneteenth to make money..." just like they do for every holiday. That's what they do. They make a profit.
0 people like this.
Reply 36 - Posted by:
DCGIRL 6/19/2022 8:02:52 AM (No. 1190382)
Could not stop laughing when I saw the picture of the flag that looked like a watermelon.
1 person likes this.
Reply 37 - Posted by:
ROLFNader 6/19/2022 3:36:12 PM (No. 1190747)
Imina smoke a carton of Kools this weekend.
0 people like this.
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