Offended by Rice

Poor Uncle Ben.  He is being stripped from his cameo atop the famous orange box of rice that we all know and love.  Why?  Apparently because he's black and that's racist.  Guys, I just don't get it.  The claimed mission of the racial movement is to bring diversity and enlightenment to everyday living.  What accomplishes that more than having well-loved products that feature illustrations of black individuals in their branding?  If all food products highlighted only white chefs, homemakers, and cooks in their logos, someone would be shouting racism about that (watch your back, Chef Boyardee!).

What is offensive or racist about Uncle Ben's photo?  He is clean cut, handsome, and well dressed in a suit and bow tie.  He's not dirty, missing teeth, or promoting an air of ignorance.  So why is his image so offensive; because he's black?  I find that incredibly racist.

The same situation exists with poor Aunt Jemima.  She has donned the syrup bottle for years, and no one was offended.  Why is her illustration suddenly so offensive?  It's because people are out there searching for offense.  David Bednar said, "To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else."  If you are a person who is consistently offended, you are making the choice to be so.

Just to give you some background on the Uncle Ben's brand, it was named in the 1940s for a famous rice farmer in Texas, referred to as Uncle Ben.  The image for Uncle Ben himself was modeled after a waiter in the Chicago restaurant where the idea was born.  There is nothing degrading about his past, he does not represent slavery, and his image was not meant to be demeaning or insulting.

I think the company is making a big mistake if they remove his likeness.  If anyone is truly offended by Uncle Ben's image, they have the right to buy a different brand.  If someone wants to cause a fuss because of this smiling man in the orange circle, I think they need to check their heart instead.