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.
“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…”
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.
Ahmed tweeted back, saying “genuinely appreciate the rapid response.”
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A spokesperson for cereal-maker issued a statement to USA Today: Kellogg’s respects all people.
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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.”
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“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.
“A kernel in the top left is getting corn rows,” Eve Forster tweeted.
“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.
Despite the mixed reaction, Ahmed called the box redesign a “tiny” victory.