America’s History of Racist Advertisements

Racist advertising
Via Wikimedia Commons
Shonda Buchanan
December 21, 2020

#1 – Nigger Kisses – Clearly racist, yet it’s taken decades to even have a conversation about how naming a candy the N-word in any language is offensive and harmful to our self-image.

#2 – Darkie, Darue and Darlie Toothpastes – Really? Even after being renamed, anyone with knowledge of America’s past can see how racist this is.

#3 – Cannibal Love – A cover for sheet music during the Jim Crow days.

#4 – Nigger Joe’s Tar Soap – It’s not clear what’s more offensive – trying to wash the Black OFF or ON …

#5 – Cream of Wheat – Once we realize how stereotypical and damaging marketing like this can be for us – a visual stain that permeates society and perpetuates racism – then we can confront its ugly past and present and attempt to eradicate it from the future.

Despite the continued onslaught of racism through marketing that clearly promotes vestiges of slavery and imperialism, if we maintain our positive self-image and promote our beautiful Blackness, then we can encourage, educate and empower ourselves, our families and communities!

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