*crispy waffle*

So I've been trying in vain to find a link to a video clip, but with no updates to racist ice cream lately, I've noticed an ad running in heavy rotation for Dairy Queen's "tragic" Moolatte ice cream drinks. This ad has me convinced that the execs at Dairy Queen really are totally clueless. (I initially questioned the authenticity of this interview from last summer, but with this new ad, I definitely think it's real.)

Anyhow, because I can't find video, I'll just have to describe it. An African-American woman is crying at a picnic table, with a Moolatte in front of her. Her African-American boyfriend arrives and gives her a big hug-- she is lamenting the illness or death of her cat (it isn't totally clear). While they are hugging, she has her Moolatte in hand, and it's positioned close to her shoulder. As he's comforting her, the boyfriend is trying to sip the drink's straw, obviously distracted by the deliciousness of the Moolatte.

What was Dairy Queen thinking? It's a given that the name Moolatte is suspect (especially since it blends brown coffee with white ice cream!), but to feature an African-American couple in the ad is so beyond clueless. The first time I saw it, my mouth was totally open and I told Kyle, "That guy is trying to get with a Moolatte! Behind his girlfriend's back!!" As if light-skinnedness weren't already an issue in minority communities. I'm going to venture a guess that Dairy Queen does not have any brown execs (although there is something vaguely charming about this total cluelessness about historically racist terms. They are like, High yellow?Sambo? Who knows!)

Speaking of racist snacks, I still have not gotten my hands on some Filipinos (heh), but Kyle's friend Tomas clued me in on a Spanish candy that my mind had repressed: Conguitos! Oh, and the memory came flooding back. Okay, these definitely take the cake in the racist snacks parade. They are chocolate-covered peanuts that come in a package adorned by a little black-faced baby with huge red lips and he is actually holding a spear. Man, Spain definitely gets the award for the racist treats-- I found this paper discussing Conguitos as well as other racist food products (to read it in "sort-of" English, Babelfish comes in handy). I guess Tomas was already in Italy by the time the S.O.S. for racist snack food came through, so no Conguitos (or Filipinos) for me, boo. I suppose a trip to Spain is in order!

Eek!!

Oh yeah, Sonja also mentioned an Australian cheese called "Coon" and a European candy called "Negros"...I'm waiting to see the packaging for those. Send some my way, Sonbon!

Slate: Tragic MooLatte Revisited
Crispy Waffle: Racist treats
Educa en la red: Clichés y estereotipos sobre la población del Sur
Babelfish: babelfish.altavista.com

posted by sheryl | 4:12 PM |

Conguitos are as much a part of Spanish culture as "Frito Banditos" are in America. No one has ever considered them (Fritos) 'racist". They have been around for more than half a century. Most "racist" snacks are considered so by foreignors because their interpretation and personal experiences are quite different than the host country.

Do you consider Burger King's "Whopper" racist towards Italian-Americans who were branded "WOPs" (without papers)???? Anything can be construed/misconstrued in many different ways. Eat up the delicious Conguitos and don't think too much into politcal correctness, an infectious disease of Americans that will be our downfall.
By

elNefelibata 2/3/07 5:51 PM