Cereal-maker Kellogg’s said it’s redesigning artwork on boxes of Corn Pops after it was deemed racially insensitive for showing a lone brown character as a janitor.
On Tuesday, author Saladin Ahmed tweeted a photo of the artwork on the back of a Corn Pops’ box, showing a bunch of characters having a good time in a shopping mall. Ahmed pointed out that the only brown character was depicted as a working janitor.
https://twitter.com/saladinahmed/status/922840667277135872
“Hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? This is teaching kids racism,” Ahmed tweeted. “Yes it’s a tiny thing, but when you see your kid staring at this over breakfast and realize millions of other kids are doing the same…”
https://twitter.com/saladinahmed/status/922841793003229187
Within a few hours, Kellogg’s apologized on Twitter saying the company “did not intend to offend.”
“Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend – we apologize. The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon,” the company tweeted.
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Ahmed tweeted back, saying “genuinely appreciate the rapid response.”
A spokesperson for cereal-maker issued a statement to USA Today: Kellogg’s respects all people.
READ MORE: Woman from Dove advertisement speaks out, says intent of commercial was not racist
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“We take feedback very seriously, and it was never our intention to offend anyone,” the spokesperson said. “We apologize sincerely.”
Ahmed’s tweet sparked mixed reaction among social media users.
“@saladinahmed when ppl make a big deal about nothing. Our society has become a joke overly sensitive offended by anything. Grow a pair,” user @arthurlooby tweeted. “Nah I have never cared what color or race someone is. We just need to stop being so overly sensitive & offended.”
READ MORE: Dove slammed for ‘racist’ body wash ad showing black woman transforming into white woman
“How much time do you have on your hands to find this? How can a Corn Pop box teach racism? Are nudists offended the Corn Pops are naked?” Nathan Platt asked.
“Perspective: janitor pop is only responsible one with a job who is also btw clothed and smiling. All the others look high and irresponsible,” Jerri Manthey chimed in.
Others noticed a Corn Pop character getting corn rows.
https://twitter.com/MementoMaori/status/923254775281606657
“A kernel in the top left is getting corn rows,” Eve Forster tweeted.
https://twitter.com/EveForster/status/922861085258022917
“Yet, that one is not brown. So he (or she…not sure what gender it is identifying with) is culturally appropriating, and thus, a racist,” Shannon Titchnell replied.
https://twitter.com/LulaMaeChick/status/923239269157822464
Despite the mixed reaction, Ahmed called the box redesign a “tiny” victory.
https://twitter.com/saladinahmed/status/922998651927937026
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