Discrimination in America In the American culture, there are many African American figures that have been negatively used in product labeling. Those figures include Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben. These two icons are not the only figures being racially discriminated through product labeling. Miss Chiquita, a Latin American figure, racially discriminates the Latina group. Native Americans are also racially discriminated through product labeling by schools and sports teams through the use of mascots. Racial discrimination through product labeling still occurs today, even though many argue it does not exist. Aunt Jemima is an African American figure owned by Quaker Oats Company. Quaker Oats Company first introduced Nancy Green, a former slave,
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Uncle Ben was introduced by Converted Rice Inc. in 1943. In 1981, Uncle Ben’s Rice was sued by Thomas Johnson on behalf of African Americans and Mexicans for discriminating against both groups. Uncle Ben’s refused to hire, promote, transfer, or improve working conditions for African Americans and Mexicans. The figure, Uncle Ben, represents the stereotypical African American domestic servant. Miss Chiquita, introduced in 1944, was an animated character, voiced by Monica Lewis, that wore a banana suit with a fruit hat. This figure represented the stereotype about Latinas being hyper-sexual. Since 1987, the banana changed to a woman, but the discrimination Latinas receive still exists. The Native American mascots that we see in Elementary schools, high schools, professional football, baseball, and basketball teams are all considered offensive to Native Americans. By schools and teams using Native American mascots such as, "Indians" or "Redskins" racially discriminates against the Native American culture and brings up their oppressive past. Using Native Americans as mascots is offensive because it is demeaning their culture. Native Americans never gave permission to be used as mascots, so they are angered because it is humiliating and oppressive. The Washington Redskins is a NFL team that discriminates against Native Americans by using Redskins as the mascot. Native Americans are offended by
Uncle Ben was introduced by Converted Rice Inc. in 1943. In 1981, Uncle Ben’s Rice was sued by Thomas Johnson on behalf of African Americans and Mexicans for discriminating against both groups. Uncle Ben’s refused to hire, promote, transfer, or improve working conditions for African Americans and Mexicans. The figure, Uncle Ben, represents the stereotypical African American domestic servant. Miss Chiquita, introduced in 1944, was an animated character, voiced by Monica Lewis, that wore a banana suit with a fruit hat. This figure represented the stereotype about Latinas being hyper-sexual. Since 1987, the banana changed to a woman, but the discrimination Latinas receive still exists. The Native American mascots that we see in Elementary schools, high schools, professional football, baseball, and basketball teams are all considered offensive to Native Americans. By schools and teams using Native American mascots such as, "Indians" or "Redskins" racially discriminates against the Native American culture and brings up their oppressive past. Using Native Americans as mascots is offensive because it is demeaning their culture. Native Americans never gave permission to be used as mascots, so they are angered because it is humiliating and oppressive. The Washington Redskins is a NFL team that discriminates against Native Americans by using Redskins as the mascot. Native Americans are offended by