Walmart’s Juneteenth ‘Celebration’ Ice Cream Draws Backlash « CmaTrends

Welp, here’s the latest entry to the Tone-Deaf Marketing Hall of Fame (there really should be one by now) … Walmart’s Juneteenth Ice Cream is MOA — melting on arrival — with critics, as one might expect.

As soon as the retail giant started putting the “Celebration Edition” on its freezer shelves … the Twitter mob sounded off, calling the idea “garbage,” and worse. The pints contain swirled red velvet and cheesecake ice cream flavors … and included the message, “Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope.”

Yes, all positives, but also … exploitive for capitalism’s sake??? That’s the tone of the backlash against Walmart ahead of the new federal holiday — June 19th will mark the 2nd year it’s recognized — which commemorates the day the last enslaved Americans got the news President Lincoln had abolished slavery.

Walmart is also launching a similar “celebration edition” for Pride Month, which is also coming up in June. That flavor is white chocolate ice cream with brownies and cherries.

Depending on your viewpoint … that’s either equal opportunity, or equally offensive.