Walmart is drawing backlash for introducing a slew of Juneteenth-themed products, including ice cream with red velvet and cheesecake flavors, ahead of the now-federally recognized celebration on June 19.
Shortly after social media users learned of the tone-deaf products, the company was accused of profiting from the occasion, which marks the end of slavery, by using their Great Value ice cream brand.
"Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation, and enduring optimism," the ice cream container's label states.
A Twitter user pointed out that a Black-owned shop currently offers a comparable ice cream flavor.
They stated that "Walmart basically saw a successful small Black business and felt they could get away with taking their flavor and re-branding it for Juneteenth." "In any case, Creamalicious can be found at Target."
"Walmart could've backed Black owner brands and put them on their shelves," another Twitter user remarked. Instead, they chose to place a high value on Black emancipation and trademark it."
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In reaction to the uproar, Walmart sent the following statement to PEOPLE magazine: "The Juneteenth holiday commemorates and celebrates the birth of the United States of America. However, we have received feedback that a few products caused some of our customers distress, for which we apologize. We're going through our inventory and will be removing things as needed."
Would you like some Juneteenth Ice cream on a Juneteenth plate as you sip your beer in a Juneteenth Koozie? pic.twitter.com/VCDpfOgYro
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) May 23, 2022
As if the ice cream wasn't enough to honor Juneteenth, Walmart also sold plastic dinnerware sets with the phrase "It's the freedom for me" printed on the plates, cups, and napkins.
The pints and other items have subsequently been removed off store shelves by the global retailer.
