Uncle Ben's Brand changes name to "Ben's Original"

[tjshorty]

suppose we really did see that coming.  I agree this is getting ridiculous.

[jkhanson]

This seems ridiculous to me too.  Goodness, I had to look at a box of Uncle Ben's rice to even notice that a black man was pictured.  I just know I like the brand Uncle Ben's.  I use the Long Grain and Wild Rice in several recipes.  Never did I look at the logo and think OH NO, a black man is on the box.

[plennis]

I heard that it was some famous chef, so I don't see what the big deal was.  I like the rice and will still use.

[calendria]

 

Who founded Uncle Ben's Rice?

Gordon L. Harwell, an entrepreneur who had supplied rice to the armed forces in World War II, chose the name Uncle Ben's as a means to expand his marketing efforts to the general public.

Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Ben%27s_(rice).

Frank Brown
Since 1946, Uncle Ben's products have carried the image of an elderly African-American man dressed in a bow tie, which is said to have been based on a Chicago maître d'hôtel named Frank Brown.

According to Mars, Uncle Ben was an African-American rice grower known for the quality of his rice.
Weirdly though, the guy on the packet isn't Uncle Ben, he's just some random guy who worked in a hotel.
 More specifically the man on the packets was a maître d'hôtel at an unknown Chicago restaurant in the mid 50's called Frank Brown.

[tantricia44]

I wonder why was there a name change in the first place?

[Nancy5]

I honestly think it’s ridiculous .  I have bought Uncle Ben’s rice for years, and honestly never connected it being racist at all.  All of a sudden we have decided things that have been around for years have become raciest.  We can’t have a black man on a package, we have to change the Washington Redskins name because these are offensive to some.  Maybe we should get rid of the picture of Betty Crocker it might be offensive to white people.  Why can’t we just see past the color and just see either a male or female?

[Donnamarg323]

Maybe this post can make many understand why God or Jesus dont like being likened to a piece of stone,wood,concrete or a metal?

[potluck6]

Now there taking the pic of the black man off creme of wheat.  What's next  who knows. Are they trying to stir up interest in their products to sell more yeah.

[Work2hard]

I will use that rice brand. I think it the quickest way to fix rice.

[braggin]

I am glad to see companies and football teams changing their names from ones that denigrate people of color to names that are more race-neutral. The former names are just one little thing of many in our lives that make people of color feel discriminated against.

[nannycoe1]

I like uncle Ben's microwave rice

[BUBBLEGUMBEN10]

This is getting too outta hand
Next they'll say a brand is racist because the person on the packaging is white.

[alice44]

The namd made no difference to me, but if it offended others, "Ben's Original" is fine with me.

[calendria]

 

 

People
Eskimo Pie Unveils New Branding After Pausing Production Due to Derogatory Name

People:

Eskimo Pie Unveils New Branding After Pausing Production Due to Derogatory Name

Eskimo Pie is rebranding after previously acknowledging its name and logo's insensitivity towards native arctic communities.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/eskimo-pie-unveils-new-branding-after-pausing-production-due-to-derogatory-name/ar-BB19Nvhp?ocid=uxbndlbing

[aflyingmonkey]

Are they planning to use the same picture of "Uncle Ben" on the new packaging of "Ben's Original"?  Or are they planning to completely remove all Black people off all packaging to solve racism?