Trader Joe's does not believe that any of its labels are racist and does not make decisions based on petitions, products will remain on shelves

Claude Augario · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
Also this is the same company who tried to hide that an assault took place in one of their stores over masks where ten employees were physically harmed. Once it was finally reported by Vice two weeks later they gave this insane statement

Customers Who Refused Masks Assault Trader Joe’s Workers, Send One to the Hospital

The men pummeled one employee with a wooden paddle, ripped off another employee's mask, and pulled the hair of a third worker, according to an NYPD spokesperson.

www.vice.com

This is the first time I've seen this shit.

When the whole name thing broke they gave a statement that they were already in the process of changing the packaging before the petition happened and they were nearing completion.

"We made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe's name on our products moving forward," spokesperson Kenya Friend-Daniel told NPR by email. She added that the company "had hoped that the work would be complete by now but there are still a small number of products going through the packaging change and we expect to be done very soon."

Now they put out a statement saying that it's not racist and they never had any intention of changing anything. Judging by responses in this thread - the distraction tactic work.

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

flatearthpandas said:
Yeah, damn Latinos not being upset about harmless bullshit. Makes me sick

if you're not offended by this congrats?! But you sure as shit don't get to speak for everyone first of all. Second, the response for the company here is pretty gross and to me that's the real story. Last, no matter how you slice it this is a form of racism so to see people dismissing it as "cute" or "pseudo-intellectual liberal handwringing".

Deleted member 35740 · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
if you're not offended by this congrats?! But you sure as shit don't get to speak for everyone first of all. Second, the response for the company here is pretty gross and to me that's the real story. Last, no matter how you slice it this is a form of racism so to see people dismissing it as "cute" or "pseudo-intellectual liberal handwringing".

It really isn't, though. Pandering? You bet, but I fail to see the racism here.

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

Caturro said:
It really isn't, though. Pandering? You bet, but I fail to see the racism here.

It's racism. It doesn't have to be someone on my front lawn burning a cross or calling me the nword to be racist. Racism is a pretty large spectrum. That's not to say that when I walk into a Trader Joe's I am emotional distraught at all the packaging. Like this is on the level of a white person coming up to me and assuming I must love rap music or some shit cause of the color of my skin. It's not the end of the world but it is something that tends to add up in a already very racist society. With that said it was a pretty easy move for this company to change the packaging and not give a shit statement but here we are. It's also disturbing to see people give their behavior after being called out a pass.

Deleted member 12833 · Jul 31, 2020

Not seeing the racism.

You do you Trader.

Heliex · Jul 31, 2020

I love seeing the white people here get upset about the most innocuous shit that minorities couldnt actually give less of a shit about. Theres fucking internet camps out there on the border with Mexico and you guys are fucking getting upset at this shit? If you posted in this thread to complain about how this is offensive then i would ask you to direct that energy towards something that is worth fighting for, not some brand that named some shit Trader Jose. As a Mexican, I think this is overreaction and hope you guys find it in yourselves to see how your being a bigger problem than Trader Joes in this, because i feel nothing but embarrassment for you folks.

liquidmetal14 · Jul 31, 2020

Channel 5 News said:
You mean like...

Those are really cool lol

Samurai and sombrero Newman 🤯

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

Heliex said:
I love seeing the white people here get upset about the most innocuous shit that minorities couldnt actually give less of a shit about. Theres fucking internet camps out there on the border with Mexico and you guys are fucking getting upset at this shit? If you posted in this thread to complain about how this is offensive then i would ask you to direct that energy towards something that is worth fighting for, not some brand that named some shit Trader Jose. As a Mexican, I think this is overreaction and hope you guys find it in yourselves to see how your being a bigger problem than Trader Joes in this, because i feel nothing but embarrassment for you folks.

People can hold two thoughts in their heads at the same time. Just because someone makes a posts on a fucking Internet forum about this shit doesn't mean they don't care about the brutality of the Trump admin with regards to immigration. Stop being so fucking dramatic.

Parthenios · Jul 31, 2020

I'm always trying to learn and adjust my "sensor" for when "racial" things tip over into "racist" things.

It's important to not be inadvertantly racist of course, but if you equate racial to racist, the effect will be to whitewash everything and remove references to other races or cultures altogether, which seems a greater harm than Trader Jose or Trader Ming.

That said, I'm not sure this letter was necessary or a good idea.

Heliex · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
People can hold two thoughts in their heads at the same time. Just because someone makes a posts on a fucking Internet forum about this shit doesn't mean they don't care about the brutality of the Trump admin with regards to immigration. Stop being so fucking dramatic.

Ok dude, go keep protesting hard shell tortillas. your sure teaching the man whos boss 🤣

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

Heliex said:
Ok dude, go keep protesting hard shell tortillas. your sure teaching the man whos boss 🤣

Who said I'm protesting anything to do with this. Much like you, I'm sharing my thoughts on an Internet forum but perhaps engaging yours is a waste of my time. I hope you're putting your money where your mouth is and protesting the border

Darksol · Jul 31, 2020

This is pretty low on my list of things to protest.

Heliex · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
Who said I'm protesting anything to do with this. Much like you, I'm sharing my thoughts on an Internet forum but perhaps engaging yours is a waste of my time. I hope you're putting your money where your mouth is and protesting the border

You can believe that I am, my mother risked her life TWICE crossing that border to make sure that me and my brothers would have a good life. I cannot picture what the women and children in those places are going through and it breaks my mothers heart to see it. My mother was smart enough to know that the worse was coming and made us Canadian citizens instead of trying for US citizenship and it is something i am grateful for everyday. For me and my mom, who were lucky enough to not have landed in those camps, all this feels like fodder and meaningless victories.

Lobster Roll · Jul 31, 2020

White person here

It's not my place to pick and choose what offends non-white people, because removing that agency from others and proactively acting as a gatekeeper like that is just another form of racism. If people are finding this labeling hurtful then sure, I'm in support. For now, I'll just continue to absorb the responses I see from people here.

Seeblol · Jul 31, 2020

I don't think it's racist or trying to be racist. It's not like Jose is out there with a leaf-blower blowing shredded lettuce around or some shit. It's just showing different "Joes".

VenomousCoffee · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
if you're not offended by this congrats?! But you sure as shit don't get to speak for everyone first of all. Second, the response for the company here is pretty gross and to me that's the real story. Last, no matter how you slice it this is a form of racism so to see people dismissing it as "cute" or "pseudo-intellectual liberal handwringing".

By declaring this to be objectively racist (which isn't a thing, of course) you're speaking for everyone.

Nightside · Jul 31, 2020

ascii42 said:
Jose is actually the Spanish form of Joseph. The Italian form would have been Giuseppe, not Giotto, though.

I guess Trader Beppe wouldn't have the same sound.

FernandoRocker · Jul 31, 2020

Nightside said:
I guess Trader Beppe wouldn't have the same sound.

Is Beppe short for Giuseppe? Pepe is short for José.

Deleted member 4367 · Jul 31, 2020

FernandoRocker said:
Is Beppe short for Giuseppe? Pepe is short for José.

That makes about as much sense as Peggy being short for Margaret.

Mona · Jul 31, 2020

Tuorom said:
And here I am, calling avocados avogadros

It's 6.02 x 10^23 right?
Omg why do I remember this

this post is literal hieroglyphics to me, am i the only one?

EDIT: some googling explained the what, but not the why lmao

Sain · Jul 31, 2020

Yeah, I've got no problem with this. It is a silly pandering thing and not really worth expending any significant amount of energy.

FernandoRocker · Jul 31, 2020

Yaboosh said:
That makes about as much sense as Peggy being short for Margaret.

I know, but it makes sense if we got Pepe from Beppe.

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

Heliex said:
You can believe that I am, my mother risked her life TWICE crossing that border to make sure that me and my brothers would have a good life. I cannot picture what the women and children in those places are going through and it breaks my mothers heart to see it. My mother was smart enough to know that the worse was coming and made us Canadian citizens instead of trying for US citizenship and it is something i am grateful for everyday. For me and my mom, who were lucky enough to not have landed in those camps, all this feels like fodder and meaningless victories.

I share a similar sentiment. I too have personal experience with the brutality of the immigration system. Many family members of mine lived under the threat of deportation. That said this company shouldn't be given a pass for this shit. A week ago they claimed they were changing the names of their products. This week they double down on it while having the gall to claim this isn't racist. Maybe them getting called out for trying to sweep under the rug an assault that took place at one of their stores has something to do with this about face

VenomousCoffee said:
By declaring this to be objectively racist (which isn't a thing, of course) you're speaking for everyone.

I'm not even sure what you're trying to say here. Saying something is racist is a descriptive claim. Saying someone shouldn't be offended by a thing is a normative claim.

Jakisthe · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
It's racism. It doesn't have to be someone on my front lawn burning a cross or calling me the nword to be racist. Racism is a pretty large spectrum. That's not to say that when I walk into a Trader Joe's I am emotional distraught at all the packaging. Like this is on the level of a white person coming up to me and assuming I must love rap music or some shit cause of the color of my skin. It's not the end of the world but it is something that tends to add up in a already very racist society. With that said it was a pretty easy move for this company to change the packaging and not give a shit statement but here we are. It's also disturbing to see people give their behavior after being called out a pass.

But what makes it racism?

Mona · Jul 31, 2020

Jakisthe said:
How is it racism though.

because invoking other races in any way is racist

MisterR · Jul 31, 2020

Razgriz-Specter said:

Does stuff like this really offend people? Honestly interested to know.

mbpm · Jul 31, 2020

Seems like Trader Joe's has other problems besides this.

Nightside · Jul 31, 2020

FernandoRocker said:
Is Beppe short for Giuseppe? Pepe is short for José.

Yep.
Another short of Giuseppe can be Peppe.

Mona said:
this post is literal hieroglyphics to me, am i the only one?

EDIT: some googling explained the what, but not the why lmao

The number of particles (may them be atoms or molecules) that you need to have a mass that is equal to a substance atomic mass is 6.022*10^23
For example. Carbon has an atomic mass of 12u. In 12 grams of carbons there are that precise number of atoms.

Razmos · Jul 31, 2020

Is this the capitalist version of "I have black friends"

Mona · Jul 31, 2020

Nightside said:
The number of particles (may them be atoms or molecules) that you need to have a mass that is equal to a substance atomic mass is 6.022*10^23
For example. Carbon has an atomic mass of 12u. In 12 grams of carbons there are that precise number of atoms.

is that how heavy an Avocado is?

MisterR said:
Does stuff like this really offend people? Honestly interested to know.

lime vinaigrette offends the fuck out of me

FernandoRocker · Jul 31, 2020

MisterR said:
Does stuff like this really offend people? Honestly interested to know.

It seems to offend mostly white (well, American) people in behalf of those ethnicities.

Not offensive to me (a Mexican). You know what was offensive? The complains about Mario as a mariachi. Nintendo even removed him from the Mario Odyssey cover. We loved that guy here in Mexico, and got removed for nothing.

Super Mario Odyssey Removes Sombrero Mario from Box Art

After Super Mario Odyssey receives its official ESRB rating, Nintendo updates the game's box art, removing the image of sombrero Mario in the process.

gamerant.com

Desi · Jul 31, 2020

Nida said:
Someone linked to her twitter and she's in high school and supposedly joined Twitter this month.

Made me suspicious this was someone trying to stir things up.

Nearly anytime I see something "old" trending on twitter I always conflate it with a new younger Twitter user. The last one I followed was RDJ in Tropic Thunder where mid 2000 twitter had to defend the film.

Mona · Jul 31, 2020

FernandoRocker said:
It seems to offend mostly white (well, American) people in behalf of those ethnicities.

Not offensive to me (a Mexican). You know what was offensive? The complains about Mario as a mariachi. Nintendo even removed him from the Mario Odyssey cover. We loved that guy here in Mexico, and got removed for nothing.

Super Mario Odyssey Removes Sombrero Mario from Box Art

After Super Mario Odyssey receives its official ESRB rating, Nintendo updates the game's box art, removing the image of sombrero Mario in the process.

gamerant.com

incredible lol

commish · Jul 31, 2020

Mona said:
because invoking other races in any way is racist

This is an Era thread, so I won't say much because I know how these threads go, but this is quite the interesting take.

I'm surprised TJ didn't cave though. We will see if they stay strong in the long term.

Tuorom · Jul 31, 2020

Mona said:
this post is literal hieroglyphics to me, am i the only one?

EDIT: some googling explained the what, but not the why lmao

haha it's a chemistry constant for doing mole conversions iirc

like how Pi is 3.14 for doing circle stuff and making a flaky crust

but Avogadro is a fruit so is very large number because of all the seeds

Ultimate Bear Cub · Jul 31, 2020

Wow, learning a lot about names and dressings today.

22.4 L of dip.

AnansiThePersona · Jul 31, 2020

They should make a Nigerian one just to see if it'll offend us. Trader Joseph might work. Josephine? Blessing? Let's workshop this

WascallyWabbit · Jul 31, 2020

Yeah, I don't know what they were supposed to do here. I mean, SOME consensus has to be made before deeming something offensive enough to remove or change, right?
Shit even in this thread we got latinos and asians (myself included) thinking this is fine. So who are they supposed to listen to here?

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

commish said:
This is an Era thread, so I won't say much because I know how these threads go, but this is quite the interesting take.

I'm surprised TJ didn't cave though. We will see if they stay strong in the long term.

Last week they said they were changing the names and actually followed through with some of the products. This week after a report from vice came out about them sweeping an assault that took place at one of their stores over masks under the rug they make an about face. "Staying strong" lol

VenomousCoffee · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
I'm not even sure what you're trying to say here. Saying something is racist is a descriptive claim. Saying someone shouldn't be offended by a thing is a normative claim.

I stated it clearly and explicitly, but I will write it out at greater length for you. You said that it's racist "any way you slice it." That claim implies that this branding (or, anything else) is objectively racist. It isn't objectively racist because nothing is objectively racist. Now, things can be subjectively racist, meaning, we can agree to label them racist depending on the context. To cite one example, I'd call the Aunt Jemima brand racist because that stereotype was used for many years to help justify segregation. But a picture of a Black woman isn't itself racist "any way you slice it." And the name Jose is just a name in Spanish-speaking countries/cultures. The name is not itself racist--again, because nothing can be racist inherently. (By the way, I'm just summarizing the basic tenets of deconstruction. There's nothing revolutionary or even up for debate about this; it's how all language works.)

So, it's up to you to explain how the specific situation here is something we should consider racist.

Deleted member 6230 · Jul 31, 2020

VenomousCoffee said:
I stated it clearly and explicitly, but I will write it out at greater length for you. You said that it's racist "any way you slice it." That claim implies that this branding (or, anything else) is objectively racist. It isn't objectively racist because nothing is objectively racist. Now, things can be subjectively racist, meaning, we can agree to label them racist depending on the context. To cite one example, I'd call the Aunt Jemima brand racist because that stereotype was used for many years to help justify segregation. But a picture of a Black woman isn't itself racist "any way you slice it." And the name Jose is just a name in Spanish-speaking countries/cultures. The name is not itself racist--again, because nothing can be racist inherently. (By the way, I'm just summarizing the basic tenets of deconstruction. There's nothing revolutionary or even up for debate about this; it's how all language works.)

So, it's up to you to explain how the specific situation here is something we should consider racist.

I'm not gonna engage with this condescending post. Peace

Mudcrab · Jul 31, 2020

StrangeRoboMemory said:
As a Latino, I don't personally mind "Trader Jose" but that's me.

Same here.

VenomousCoffee · Jul 31, 2020

infinite said:
I'm not gonna engage with this condescending post. Peace

Can you at least explain how it's racist? I'm not the only one here to ask you to do that.

LuigiMario · Jul 31, 2020

Been continuing to go and support Trader Joes because it seems to be the only store in my area strictly limiting number of customers in the store and mask wearing. Probably going to continue regardless of the decision with this, I don't really have much of an opinion on it to be honest.

Kinggroin · Jul 31, 2020

PeakPointMatrix said:
There is so much real racist shit out there, this is what people are mad about?

Another, I just don't care.

hey can we get kids out of cages though?

This here. Let's fix real shit.

Signed, a Puerto Rican / Dominican loud mouth

Deleted member 12833 · Jul 31, 2020

VenomousCoffee said:
Can you at least explain how it's racist? I'm not the only one here to ask you to do that.

You're wasting your time.

CrankyJay · Jul 31, 2020

Ze_Shoopuf said:
Exactly zero of my many Latino & Italian friends have a problem with this packaging.

In fact, several have mentioned they buy them BECAUSE they think the packaging is cute, and gives them a teeny bit of pride.

I made a thread a year or two back about attending a Mexican themed party where some of the guests were wearing ponchos, fake mustaches, and sombreros and the overwhelming majority seemed to be more concerned about if the food was good. I thought maybe the premise of the party was iffy but I think most saw it as a fun celebration of the culture rather than a jab with stereotypes.

FernandoRocker · Jul 31, 2020

CrankyJay said:
I made a thread a year or two back about attending a Mexican themed party where some of the guests were wearing ponchos, fake mustaches, and sombreros and the overwhelming majority seemed to be more concerned about if the food was good. I thought maybe the premise of the party was iffy but I think most saw it as a fun celebration of the culture rather than a jab with stereotypes.

Do you have a link for the thread?

CrankyJay · Jul 31, 2020

FernandoRocker said:
Do you have a link for the thread?

I apologize, it was on NeoGAF in June 2016 well before ResetERA was formed.

lmcfigs · Jul 31, 2020

Extremely silly to be concerned over this tbh. but the "protests" over this are probably not very significant either, which s why Trader Joe feels safe enough to double down.

Trader Joe's does not believe that any of its labels are racist and does not make decisions based on petitions, products will remain on shelves

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