Trends Reporter, HuffPost
Walmart is in hot water over its Juneteenth-themed ice cream.
The multinational retail corporation announced it would review and potentially pull its ice cream commemorating Juneteenth after the product was blasted on Twitter.
Social media users were outraged by the dessert, which consists of a swirl of red velvet and cheesecake flavors.
On Twitter, many shoppers condemned the company for appearing to profit off the important holiday, its history and Black people.
Walmart’s label on the ice cream, which has been widely shared across social media reads: “Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope.”
Comedian Roy Wood Jr.’s viral tweet about the controversial frozen treat criticized the absurdity of Juneteenth-themed branding. “Would you like some Juneteenth Ice cream on a Juneteenth plate as you sip your beer in a Juneteenth Koozie?” he tweeted.
Would you like some Juneteenth Ice cream on a Juneteenth plate as you sip your beer in a Juneteenth Koozie? pic.twitter.com/VCDpfOgYro
Another user wrote, “How disrespectful and greedy. Always finding a way to exploit and line your pockets. @Walmart.”
How disrespectful and greedy. Always finding a way to exploit and line your pockets. @Walmart pic.twitter.com/6VgA4guH9h
Shoppers also called out the fact that Walmart appears to have allegedly ripped off a Black-owned ice cream product called Creamalicious as customers rapidly began dissecting the strong similarities between the items.
Walmart literally saw a successful small Black business and thought they could get away with stealing their flavor and re-branding it for Juneteenth.
Anyways, Creamalicious is available at Target. pic.twitter.com/y3DyzpYtGv
In all seriousness……
If you have seen the Juneteenth Ice Cream from Walmart, go ahead and grab some Creamalicious Red Velvet Cheesecake instead! Walmart could have used this opportunity to highlight this brand instead of making a cheap copycat for OUR Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/avlIkjvoOU
Juneteenth honors Black communities and commemorates the end of slavery in America.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved people, was issued in 1863, there was minimal enforcement in Texas, which meant enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, weren’t informed they were free until June 19, 1865.
Walmart apologized for the product in a statement.
“Juneteenth holiday marks a commemoration and celebration of freedom and independence,” the company wrote in a statement to HuffPost. “However, we received feedback that a few items caused concern for some of our customers and we sincerely apologize. We are reviewing our assortment and will remove items as appropriate.”
Juneteenth became an official government holiday last year after President Joe Biden signed a bill creating Juneteenth National Independence Day.
The move to solidify it as a federal holiday gained popularity following protests in response to George Floyd’s murder by a white police officer.
Keep reading to see more Twitter reactions over the disputed product.
What makes this soo bad and has me furious is, it’s not that #Walmart is tone deaf, it’s just as you said, they’re trying to profit off of Black people once again, as if we don’t already give them enough of our money.
Their blatant disrespect is infuriating!#JuneteenthIceCream https://t.co/cqGq1FgEJq
🗣We said REPARATIONS…not Red Velvet 😩 @Walmart #GreatValue #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/jZ3z7IyOqQ
The power of social media. Walmart tried it, and after all the backlash that shit is coming off the shelves. Let’s not whitewash this holiday. It’s not for sale. #Juneteenth ✊🏾✊🏾
No one asked for this @Walmart 🤦🏾♀️#juneteenth pic.twitter.com/f1nzFXLsG8
Walmart can go to hell with that Juneteenth ice cream. Cause who is that even for? Y’all really be playing in our face led.
Trends Reporter, HuffPost