NY Amsterdam News (Archived): Tone deaf corporate America blasted for trying to ‘own Juneteenth’.
Social media users and others have lashed out at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for offering a pre-packaged watermelon salad as part of its Juneteenth menu.
The museum circulated a photo of the salad as it invited the public to its Juneteenth celebration.
“This is ridiculous and a mockery of Juneteenth,” Twitter user @WishYaHadAlexis wrote. “I’ve never had a watermelon salad or even heard of it. SMH.”
Another Twitter user, @MajorFactor2, said, “There can’t possibly be any Black folks in these boardrooms when decisions like this are being made.” ("Black folks" ????? - DD)
Initially, museum officials attempted to justify the offensive gaffe by noting that the watermelon salad has remained a staple in their food court’s manager’s family’s Juneteenth celebration.
Later, they released a statement apologizing.
“As a museum, we apologize and acknowledge the negative impact that stereotypes have on communities of color,” officials wrote. “The salad has been removed from the menu.
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Walmart came under fire earlier after the chain issued a new flavor of its ice cream and called it “Juneteenth.”
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“Juneteenth simply cannot be owned.”
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