IKEA is now facing backlash after one of their stories in Atlanta allegedly put fried chicken and watermelon as items on a menu for employees in honor of Juneteenth.
Reports noted the company allegedly sent out an email last week to employees saying “to honor the perseverance of Black Americans and acknowledge the progress yet to be made,” they would be putting together a special menu for Juneteenth, a celebration to commemorate the end of slavery. However, the menu contained fried chicken and watermelon--a combo tied to racist stereotypes, along with other items, which caused much backlash among the staff.
As a result of the email, the backlash led to 20 employees calling out of work. The word got around the store and reached the store manager, who ultimately issued an apology email. Following that, the menu for the Juneteenth meal was changed, and the items in question were replaced with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cornbread.
An anonymous employee who spoke to CBS 46 said, “You cannot say serving watermelon on Juneteenth is a soul food menu when you don’t even know the history, they used to feed slaves watermelon during the slave time." Take a look above.
source: TMZ
