Uncle Ben’s Rice Goes ‘Woke’ – Gets New ‘Non-Offensive’ Name

Uncle Ben’s, the popular rice brand, has changed its name in an apparent attempt to appease the radical social justice-obsessed left.

NBC News reported that Uncle Ben’s rice will henceforth be known as Ben’s Original.

This change was announced on Wednesday by the brand’s parent firm Mars Inc. They said that packaging with the new name will be in stores sometime next year.

Uncle Ben Changes Name

“We listened to our associates and our customers and the time is right to make meaningful changes across society,” explained Fiona Dawson, global president for Mars Food, multisales and global customers.

“When you are making these changes, you are not going to please everyone. But it’s about doing the right thing, not the easy thing.”

Uncle Ben’s was launched in the 1940s, and was the bestselling rice in the United States for decades, according to BBC.

Its packaging has long featured the image of a smiling black man with gray hair.

In 1947, the company asked Frank Brown, the head waiter at a fancy Chicago restaurant, to pose as the face of the brand.

Uncle Ben’s Accused Of Racism

In recent years, however, Uncle Ben’s has been hit with accusations of racism.

Leftists have said that the terms “uncle” and “aunt” were used to refer to black people in the south in the place of the words “mister” and “miss.”

“We understand the inequities that were associated with the name and face of the previous brand, and as we announced in June, we have committed to change,” Mars said in a statement.

On top of changing the name, Mars has pledged to work directly with the National Urban League in the United States to help black chefs by donating $2 million to scholarships.

The company has also promised to invest $2.5 million in Greenville, Mississippi, the city where the rice is made.

“The brand is not just changing its name and image on the package. It is also taking action to enhance inclusion and equity and setting out its new brand purpose to create opportunities that offer everyone a seat at the table,” Mars said.

Other Brands Have Changed Names As Well

This is just one of many brands that has catered to the leftwing outrage mobs over the past few months in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

In June, Quaker Oats announced that it would be dropping Aunt Jemima from its brands after liberals slammed the brand as “racist.”

They argued that the character’s origins were based on the “mammy,” a black woman who is happy to serve her white masters.

Even the owner of Eskimo Pie has promised to change the brand name because it’s somehow “offensive” as well.

This politically correct nonsense has gone way too far, and it needs to end. If it doesn’t, there’s no telling what brand may be “cancelled” next.

However, it should be noted that not everyone is buying into the hysteria.

The family of the real life Aunt Jemima has launched an effort to stop the whitewashing of history.

Is there a point at which even the “social justice” obsessed population will have had enough? Time will tell.

James Conrad

James Conrad’s passion for politics is only overshadowed by his longstanding interest in Hollywood. His unique perspective as a gay conservative fuels him to challenge celebrity views and those who think they have a right to tell anyone how to think or vote. James proudly wields his minority point of view to combat identity politics and cut through his typecast. Fun fact: James’ guilty pleasure is the British royal family.