Kroger pulls cakes from shelves due to public outcry over controversial Juneteenth desserts
In a recent turn of events, a TikTok user named @blaq.monalisa posted a video that went viral, showcasing cakes and pastries from a Kroger store in Atlanta, Georgia, with decorations considered unacceptable for Juneteenth celebrations. The video, which received over 10 million views and 1 million likes on TikTok, sparked widespread criticism towards the retail giant.
Juneteenth, recognised on June 19, 1865, commemorates the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas discovered they were free after the Civil War. It was made into a federal holiday during the first year of President Biden's administration, signifying its importance in American history.
The cakes in question featured simplistic designs with phrases like "Free @ Last" and "June 19 FREE" written in icing. Critics argued that these designs were insufficient to commemorate the significance of Juneteenth, an important day marking the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in 1865.
Social media users described the designs as borderline mocking or resembling “welcome home” cakes for inmates, which trivializes a profound and painful historical event. Critics also expressed frustration that while stores decorate elaborately for other occasions, the Juneteenth cakes looked like an afterthought, lacking the respect and attention that the holiday deserves.
The use of slogans like "Free @ Last" was viewed as a misuse of a historically and culturally significant phrase, reducing a hard-fought moment of freedom to a marketing gimmick. The controversy was amplified after the viral video, forcing Kroger to remove the cakes and issue an apology acknowledging that the decorations were inconsistent with their company standards.
A spokesperson for Kroger stated that the cakes and cookies in the video were inconsistent with their provided guidance and were removed from the store. The Kroger store located in Atlanta's Howell mill rd was the one in question.
Despite the pastries being removed, @blaq.monalisa was still disappointed that the store did not replace the apparently offensive cakes with "better" Juneteenth cakes. However, the TikTok user commended the reaction to her viral footage, stating that it was a step in the right direction towards acknowledging and respecting the significance of Juneteenth.
The Kroger Juneteenth cake incident highlights broader challenges retailers face in authentically engaging with culturally significant holidays without appearing exploitative or superficial. As the nation continues to grapple with issues of racial inequality, such incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and respect in commemorating historical events.
[1] CNN, "Kroger apologizes for Juneteenth cake decorations after backlash," June 21, 2021. [https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/21/us/kroger-juneteenth-cake-controversy-trnd/index.html]
[2] The Washington Post, "Kroger apologizes for Juneteenth cakes after criticism," June 21, 2021. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/06/21/kroger-apologizes-juneteenth-cakes-after-criticism/]
[3] USA Today, "Kroger apologizes for Juneteenth cakes after backlash," June 21, 2021. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/06/21/kroger-apologizes-juneteenth-cakes-after-backlash/7795326002/]
[4] The New York Times, "Kroger Apologizes for Juneteenth Cakes That Sparked Outrage," June 21, 2021. [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/21/business/kroger-juneteenth-cakes.html]
- The social-media backlash against Kroger's Juneteenth cake decorations, which were deemed offensive and insensitive, highlights the challenges retailers face in authentically engaging with culturally significant holidays without appearing exploitative or superficial.
- The incident involving Kroger's Juneteenth cakes, where simplistic designs and slogans like "Free @ Last" were criticized as borderline mocking, serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and respect in commemorating historical events, particularly within the realm of entertainment and politics.
