Acme Markets' Black History Month Circular Offers Sales on Corn Bread, Collard Greens, Grape Soda Sparks Protest by NAACP Delaware Chapter

Do you have a problem with this sales circular? Apparently the Delaware chapter of the NAACP does.

Acme Markets, owned by Supervalu, is under fire for its January 29th sales circular. The circular, under the "Black History Month" banner, offered a set of specials for products including corn bread, collard greens and grape soda. The Delaware chapter of the NAACP is riled up about this. The chapter said more than a hundred people have complained about the products perpetuating negative stereotypes. Really? I can't see how this was racist when there was a Barack Obama DVD and Jose Ole chimichangas in the same circular. Another NAACP chapter has once again taken its eyes off the pressing issues confronting us in this country today. If they could only attack such issues with the same fervor then they would be taken a little more seriously.

Delaware NAACP President Cecil C. Wilson called for Acme to immediately run a full-page apology "in all of Delaware's newspapers." "It's racist, it's insensitive, it's not culturally correct," Wilson said. "Don't assume that to celebrate Black History Month that we must have corn bread. Whoever put this ad together thought it'd be a good joke."

In a statement, the company said the advertisement was designed to highlight Black History Month and many of the items are products supplied through the company's supplier diversity program.

"For example, Glory Foods, an African American-owned manufacturer, is featured with four of its products because it is our way of supporting and strengthening their brand with added exposure during the month of February," the statement said.

The promotional ad, which went to 3.5 million households, also advertises a President Barack Obama DVD and plaque, paper towels, dish soap, energy drinks and Jose Ole chimichangas and tacos. Source: Delawareonline.com

Here's the irony in this latest dust up. Jerry Mondesire, president of the Philadelpha chapter of the NAACP, didn't have a problem with this circular. His chapter has teamed up with Supervalu for events in the past.

This is much ado about nothing and I really don't think Supervalu should apologize for anything. I wonder if this economic quagmire has caught Mr. Wilson's attention? There is more at stake for everyone than worrying about Acme Markets putting collard greens, cornbread and grape soda on sale. The real question Mr. Wilson ought to be asking is if we need to have a Black History Month at all.

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