Marvel Writer Convinces Kellogg's to Change Racially Insensitive Cereal Box

For decades, cereal companies have taken to anthropomorphizing their product to create mascots [...]

By Patrick Cavanaugh

For decades, cereal companies have taken to anthropomorphizing their product to create mascots that could appeal to kids, resulting in the worldwide recognition of these characters. Writer of Marvel's Black Bolt series, Saladin Ahmed, called Kellogg's and its box art on Corn Pops packaging into question when he noticed that, in a sea of cereal bits brought to life, the only brown Corn Pop served as the janitor.

The decision regarding the artwork most likely wasn't intentional, but it's the lack of awareness from Kellogg's that concerned Ahmed. The issue wasn't without merit, as the company responded to Ahmed and notified him that they would be updating the art and new boxes would be in stores soon.

The controversy began on Twitter where the writer shared an image of the artwork in question, providing evidence that can't be ignored, where the only brown character stands out clearly, only for the character to be pushing around janitorial equipment while all the other characters are engaging in a variety of activities.

Given the current problems facing our society, Ahmed confessed that he knew that this was a small thing to take issue with, but it's by constantly allowing these "tiny" things to go unnoticed that often results in the lack of sensitivity regarding representation.

Social media has allowed individuals to interact with brands in all-new ways, most often resulting in the brands only being able to offer a modicum of insight into complaints.

Kellogg's, on the other hand, quickly replied to the author to admit their mistake and inform the author of how they were moving forward.

"Kellogg Company has respect for all people, and our commitment to diversity and inclusion has long been a top priority," a spokesperson for the company shared with USA Today. "We take feedback very seriously, and it was never our intention to offend anyone. We apologize sincerely. The package artwork has been updated and will begin to appear on store shelves soon as it flows through distribution."

Seemingly happy to have the situation resolved, Ahmed then took to Twitter to share, "Today I used the computer in my pocket to get a cereal company to make their boxes less racist what even is the 21st century."

(h/t The Hollywood Reporter)

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