Kellogg's will be redesigning the artwork on it's Corn Pops cereal box following complaints over the package's racist insensitivity.
The image depicts a bustling mall with the cereal's only brown Corn Pop working as a janitor, waxing the floor.
Saladin Ahmed, a writer for Marvel Comic's Black Bolt, took to Twitter to call out the cereal giant after noticing the disparity.
hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? this is teaching kids racism. pic.twitter.com/Nh7M7IFawW
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 24, 2017
The Hugo-nominated novelist followed up in a subsequent tweet, writing: "yes its a tiny thing, but when you see your kid staring at this over breakfast and realize millions of other kids are doing the same..."
Kellogg's quickly replied to Ahmed, apologizing for it's ill-thought out cartoon and promising replace the artwork with an updated design.
Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend "“ we apologize. The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon.
— Kellogg's (@KelloggsUS) October 24, 2017
Ahmed followed up by tweeting he "genuinely appreciate[s]" the company's rapid response and for taking ownership for their snafu.
today I used the computer in my pocket to get a cereal company to make their boxes less racist what even is the 21st century
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 25, 2017
In a statement to USA Today, Kellogg's spokesperson, Kris Charles, reiterated the company's stance for inclusion while issuing another apology.
"Kellogg Company has respect for all people, and our commitment to diversity and inclusion has long been a top priority. We take feedback very seriously, and it was never our intention to offend anyone. We apologize sincerely. The package artwork has been updated and will begin to appear on store shelves soon as it flows through distribution," Charles said.
Do you agree the artwork was racist?
