The New York Times examines the revival of “a racially charged advertising character.”
The character is Uncle Ben, the symbol for more than 60 years of the Uncle Ben’s line of rices and side dishes now sold by the food giant Mars.
Uncle Ben, who first appeared in ads in 1946, is being reborn as Ben, an accomplished businessman with an opulent office, a busy schedule, an extensive travel itinerary and a penchant for sharing what the company calls his “grains of wisdom” about rice and life.
Vincent Howell, president for the food division of the Masterfoods USA unit of Mars, said, “What’s powerful to me is to show an African-American icon in a position of prominence and authority. As an African-American, he makes me feel so proud.”
I want to say something here, but I’m left dumbfounded by Howell’s pride.
