Trader Joe's didn't, and shouldn't, change

A petition was launched earlier this month calling on Trader Joe's to change the names of certain products. According to the petition, products being sold by the California-based grocery chain were "racist" and signers of the petition were calling on Trader Joe's to remove or rename the products.

Early reports said Trader Joe's had responded to the calls and agreed to remove such products as "Arabian Joe's" Coffee and "Trader José's Premium" Mexican Beer. According to the petition signers, the products perpetuated "harmful stereotypes".

Trader Joe's released a statement on its website regarding the matter. In it, the company addressed the petition and said it was not changing any names that some people may find to be offensive. Rather, changing the names of products is a decision based on marketing and sales. In other words, Trader Joe's, like other companies will continue with products that sell and tweak products that don't.

I'm glad Trader Joe's chose to keep the names of these products. These are not racist or demeaning names. They are names that go with the products and their origins: Arabian coffee, Mexican products, Asian food. They are creative marketing plays meant to play on the company name.

The product's names created by Trader Joe's are meant to be tongue-in-cheek. They are meant to lend "authenticity" to the products they sell. There is no intent to offend anyone or any group any more than "Newman's Own" means to offend ethnic groups when the likeness of Paul Newman is seen dressed in a sombrero on a jar of salsa or like a gondolier on a bottle of salad dressing. I'm not sure what the petitioners are seeing in these labels or names, but I am certainly not seeing it. What is next from these people demanding "change"? Taco Bell? Is Sbarro poking fun at Italians? Those who are calling for the change are completely missing the point. I wonder how many of them have purchased these products in the past before becoming "woke".

Cam Newton's Classy Call

Cam Newton has made headlines throughout New England since he decided to join the Patriots. There was a smaller story about the team's new quarterback recently when he was spotted flying a commercial airline recently. The 6'5" Newton wanted a first-class seat but there were none available. He had to settle for a seat in coach.

Newton reportedly offered someone flying first-class $1200 for the seat. The person refused Newton's offer. Newton continued on to his seat. He didn't force the passenger out. He didn't make a commotion to the flight attendants. He didn't make a scene. Cam Newton, starting NFL quarterback, went to his seat in coach and flew to his destination.

Some may say, "Well. he's a member of the Patriots and Bill Belichick spoke to him about what was expected." That may be so, but Newton made the conscious choice to fly coach in the first place. He decided he wanted a first-class seat. He is a professional athlete who is accustomed to a certain level of comfort when he travels. He thought he could get himself a first-class seat and he did what anyone else would do: He made an offer to someone for what they had and he wanted. The person said no. Newton went on his way.

You read stories about star-athletes causing a scene when they don't get what they want. There have been stories of politicians getting people kicked off flights so they can have the plebeian's seat. Maybe Newton realized he was in a public setting. Maybe he was spoken to about the "Patriot Way." Maybe he's just a decent human being who tried and accepted, "No." There are a lot of celebrities who wouldn't show class when they didn't get what they wanted no matter how many people were around with cameras rolling. Cam Newton decided to go on with his life and job.

A New Flag for Massachusetts

Native Americans in Massachusetts have assembled outside the State House on Beacon Hill calling for a change to the official flag of the commonwealth: A Native American in the middle of a blue shield. The shield is in front of a white background. The Native American is holding a bow and arrow. The arrow is pointed down to signify peace. Under the shield is the motto of the commonwealth: "Ense peiti placidum, sub libertate quietum". The phrase is Latin for "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty."

The sticking point about the flag is a hand holding a sword over the native's head. This is interpreted as the White Man exercising his strength and power over the Native American and his people. Some of the people assembled have called Massachusetts the, "last U.S. state, whose flag includes representations of white supremacy."

Slow down.

The flag depicts an Algonquian man standing there with two of his daily tools: a bow and arrow. Other than than, the man is just standing there. The flag does not insinuate that the man is threat to anyone or anything. He is standing there. If this a threat to anybody, there is a new level of "triggered" I am not aware of. The sword? Is it threatening the man or is it there above him ready to defend him against anyone who may try to attack him? This, of course, could be open to interpretation.

The "Heritage Bill", as it is being called, goes on to require schools and sports teams in the commonwealth that use a Native American as a mascot to replace said mascot. Proponents of this measure say there is a "stereotype" that "relates to civil rights".

Earlier this week, the Washington Redskins gave in to protestors and agreed to get rid of the name and logo, a profile of a Native American's face.

I am trying to figure out how a man standing tall and holding his tools of daily living can offend someone of this heritage. Native Americans used bows and arrows to hunt and defend themselves, not only against white people but also against rival tribes. The man on the seal is not depicted as an idiot. He is not shown as someone inferior to another tribe or even to another race. He is simply shown as a man.

Protestors want this symbol removed. What's next? The name "Massachusetts" comes from one of the tribes that once inhabited a part of the commonwealth, the Massachusett. Does that exploit Native Americans? No, you say? Just wait.

Civility During This Independence Day

The United States will celebrate the 244th anniversary of its independence this week. The celebration will fall in the midst of protests and debates surrounding the roles played by merchandising icons and statues, just to name a few of the things that have triggered opinions and demonstrations across the country.

As we watch these demonstrations, we are still dealing with the fallout from Coronavirus. Many people are deciding it is safe to congregate in large groups again. Numbers are going back up and reminding us all it is still better to be socially distant.

Some are coming together at beaches and want to have some fun after being shut in for months. Others are coming together to protest and demonstrate. We are still dealing with this threat to our public health. It is wise to wear a mask.

For those who will assemble and protest, it is your right to do so. It is protected by the First Amendment. Damaging property and looting is not. It is fine to publicly display and announce your opinion. I do hope that if you see someone looting, you will try to stop them or call the police. Destroying and stealing property does not further a cause. It hurts someone who is trying to work and provide for their family. You are doing nobody a favor by looting.

To those who want to see monuments and statues removed, there is a process in place for that. Petition your leaders. State your reasons why. Climbing and attempting to destroy an object fixed into the ground risks injury or even death to yourself or someone else. Acting like a hooligan does not help a cause. It risks injury.

I also hope those who watch the protests go on will allow those people to march and make their opinions known. This is their right. Protestors, please keep it peaceful and orderly. You do not help yourselves by destroying property or threatening to harm people. Let both sides have their say. Let everyone be heard. Happy Independence Day.