After a social media user pointed to the fact that its Juneteenth menu perpetuated stereotypes about Black people, a children’s museum apologized.
Friday’s post by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis was about the “Juneteenth Jamboree”, a special celebration of the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of slavery. Jonelle Slaughter, a user of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, posted a comment shortly after that. It included a photograph of the museum’s “Juneteenth Watermelon Salad.”
“So, y’all decided that “hey let’s celebrate with offensive stereotypes.” This was really a great idea. She wrote:
Slaughter did no immediate respond to a Monday request for comment.
The museum’s Facebook page replied that the item should have a label explaining the history of the offering. It would then be pulled until the label could be accompanied by the salad.
The museum replied online that “there’s a lot research that goes into food choices we make to celebrate special events.” “Watermelon and other red foods are a mainstay of Juneteenth Celebrations, which include our food court manager’s family Juneteenth celebrations.”
Others joined the discussion, noting watermelon isn’t a common fruit in the African diaspora. Some users commented on the thread that the museum wasn’t paying enough attention to why people were upset.
An apology was later issued, and it was posted on the museum’s website. It acknowledged “the negative effect that stereotypes have upon Black communities.”
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis removed the salad from their menu.
The statement stated that they are reviewing ways to best tell these stories and traditions at this year’s Juneteenth celebration. They also plan to make changes in the way our food service provider handles future food choices.
According to The Atlantic, watermelon is one of many foods that are considered a staple food for Black Americans. However, it was originally associated with poor Italians and Arabs. According to The Atlantic, it was associated with poverty. In 2014, a British officer stationed at Egypt called it “poor Arab’s feast” and described the peasants who ate it as if they would take it away.
