Walmart apologizes for selling Juneteenth ice cream

[underpants]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/24/business-food/walmart-juneteenth-ice-cream/index.html

New York (CNN Business)Walmart's attempt to commemorate Juneteenth with a new ice cream didn't go over so well.

The company is apologizing for selling "Celebration Edition: Juneteenth Ice Cream," under its Great Value label. The branding sparked a backlash with many people on social media.

Other Juneteenth-themed items that appear to be on sale include party plates, according to a tweet.
One critic on Twitter said the ice cream highlighted why it's "important to have diverse voices at the table when making strategic business decisions. When you don't, you end up making costly, foolish mistakes," the tweet said.

CNN affiliate WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, found the Juneteenth ice cream at a local store. However when a reporter tried to buy it, it was "unavailable for purchase." A store employee told the channel that they are "throwing the ice cream out."

[jimfields33]

1. Corporations need to stop this

Look at all the companies trying to give picnics with inappropriate food for their african American employees. Now Walmart is doing the same with selling ice cream. It’s inappropriate and should stop all of this.

[TexasTowelie]

2. So tell me,

was the ice cream watermelon flavored with waffle and fried chicken batter sprinkles? I want to know so that I can determine how irate I should be.

[Sympthsical]

6. It was red velvet

Which I've never associated with the Black community. Is that a cultural thing? I always thought it was just an excuse for people to put awful cream cheese frosting on things.

At least corporations can breathe a sigh of relief that rainbow sherbet already exists as Pride approaches.

[obamanut2012]

15. Red Velvet cake is traditionally served at Juneteenth celebrations

For example, pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.

[Sympthsical]

16. Today I learned

I always thought it was vaguely Southern (mainly because of the red velvet armadillo groom's cake in Steel Magnolias).

I wonder if it's regional. It's just never come up at any events/parties/meals I've been to within that community.

[electric_blue68]

17. I've seen it at a bakery in Harlem. On dessert menu in...

soul food restaurants in Harlem.

So I've associated it with African Americans.

[Sympthsical]

19. I found an interesting article about it

I looked at wikipedia first, but nothing in the history there had a Juneteenth association. Then I found this (I know, Oprah), but there was some good information in there about the history and meaning of various practices and foods around the holiday.

https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a36479941/juneteenth-food-traditions/

It notes Black Southerners as the main provenance, which might explain my experiences. My friends from the Midwest and West Coast never celebrated to my knowledge. Even growing up in Chicago, which will celebrate every ethnic holiday in all human history, Juneteenth was never a widespread thing that was promoted as an actual celebrated holiday.

But the expansion of awareness and knowledge is always a good thing.

[lame54]

3. Is it in the freezer with the lock on it?

[bullwinkle428]

4. Just to add some context - Wal-Mart ripped off a black-owned business' recipe

for the same ice cream, in an effort to sell a cheaper "clone" version of the product.

The Juneteenth flavor — swirled red velvet and cheesecake — drew fire on social media, with some Twitter users accusing Walmart of being tone-deaf because the new ice cream flavor is sold by a company founded by a White family and run by a White CEO. Others urged consumers to support a Black-owned business called Creamalicious that has its own version of red velvet ice cream.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/juneteenth-walmart-ice-cream-apology/

[crickets]

5. Of course they did.

Also mentioned in the article, they slapped a 'TM' next to Juneteenth on the ice cream label.

"Placing a TM and claiming ownership of the word 'Juneteenth' further exacerbates the lack of understanding of laying claim to something that represents so much to an entire population. Juneteenth simply cannot be owned," the group said.

The mindset involved in trying to do that is so warped.

[In It to Win It]

8. Ok that makes sense. I didn't see the harm in selling Juneteenth themed ice cream

...and that sounds like a delicious flavor.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

10. Me too, now I see the actual problem (nt)

[Celerity]

13. Critics accused the retail giant of commercializing a solemn holiday meant to commemorate the end of

American slavery

also





https://www.walmart.com/ip/USSUMA-Womens-Blouses-Tops-Dressy-Graphic-Women-Casual-Summer-Crewneck-Plus-Size-Tunic-Women-s-Sleeveless-1865-Juneteenth-Celebrate-African-American-/883982089

[electric_blue68]

18. Besides kind of appropriation... How does that text...

make any sense!?

Or am I just over tired?

[underpants]

12. Thank you.

[BlackSkimmer]

7. Seems a shame to just throw it all out.

Surely they could donate to homeless shelters or something.

I've never had a liking for ice cream, but that seems a terrible waste.

[CatWoman]

9. let me guess: it was watemelon flavored

[underpants]

11. See post 4

They cheaply ripped off a black-owned business' recipe for the same ice cream, in an effort to sell a cheaper "clone" version of the product.

[CatWoman]

14. effing WalMart!!!