Tasteless? German co offers ’Obama fingers’

Racial overtones have sparked an outragein the US; leaders ask for an apology

Tasteless? German co offers 'Obama fingers'

Racial overtones have sparked an outragein the US; leaders ask for an apology

Apparently unaware of the historically racist stereotypes connected this particular food item in the United States, the Plus and Netto food retailers have chosen to pay homage to everybody's favourite leader of the free world by using his name for 500-gram packages of ready-to-be-reheated bird parts.

The packaging features a picture of something remotely resembling the Golden Gate Bridge the Statue of Liberty was presumably unavailable for the photo shoot and is part of a seven-day trial "America Week" the supermarkets are conducting.

Homage?

"It was supposed to be a homage to the American lifestyle and the new US president," said Judith Witting, sales manager.

Witting said the company decided to offer the product after notingu00a0 that "American products and the American way of eating are trendy at the moment."

While the company alleges it didn't intend to offend anyone, African-American leaders here in the states called on the company to rename the product and apologise.

Stereotype

"Without a doubt it does raise concerns that are rooted in the history of racism and stereotypical types of characterisations of African- Americans," said Senator Bill Perkins. "It reminds us that [Obama's] victory does not automatically end that which we've been struggling against."

The fingers will probably be off the shelves by April 3, when their namesake is scheduled to visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But if they're not, the chancellor should be wary causing utter befuddlement and potential offense to her guest and simply serve him up some good old German sausage.

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