Confectionery giant Nestlé has been slammed by Pauline Hanson for changing the names of Redskins and Chicos lollies to avoid ‘marginalising’ customers – with the One Nation leader also hitting out at the ABC for wanting to debate whether chess was racist.
Nestlé announced on Tuesday that affiliate Allen’s would be changing the names of the lollies because both terms could be used in a derogatory way.
‘Red Skin’ is a slang term used for Native Americans in the United States and is considered offensive, while ‘chico’ – Spanish for ‘boy’ – is also considered to be offensive to Latin-Americans.
But Hanson said the decision to rebrand was ‘pathetic’ and an example of ‘caving to the hysterical left’s demands’.
Pauline Hanson branded confectionery brand Allen’s ‘pathetic’ after learning of the decision to change the names of Red Skins and Chicos
Red Skins (above) have been enjoyed by children for decades in Australia and New Zealand
‘Pathetic… the only way to describe companies and politicians dealing with the cancel culture epidemic,’ the One Nation leader wrote on her Facebook page.
Cancel culture is a new phrase used to describe a mob mentality that leads people to boycott certain products, people or programs.
It is most commonly associated with people who have caused offence through their actions or words.
‘I keep telling people that caving in to the hysterical left’s demands only makes things worse,’ Hanson said.
Hanson said people have tried to ‘cancel’ her for decades, and encouraged companies to follow her lead by simply ‘refusing to back down’.
‘That’s all it takes,’ she said.
On Tuesday, John Adams, 38, from the Australian Chess Federation, took to twitter to lambaste the ABC for wasting taxpayer’s money by holding a debate over whether chess was ‘racist’ because ‘white always goes first’.
Mr Adams said using chess to discuss structural racism is a bridge too far.
‘With all the drama resulting from COVID-19, I am amazed that the ABC is broadcasting on irrelevant topics,’ he said.
‘Chico’ – Spanish for ‘boy’ – can be used in a derogatory way, leading to Nestle’s decision to change the name of the confectionery sweet
Generations of Australian kids have also enjoyed Chicos, above, for their chocolaty taste – unaware the term was considered offensive to those of Latin-American descent.
Allen’s Lollies is the latest in a string of brands to question the impact the names of their products could have on consumers.
Comedian Josh Thomas called for Coon cheese to be renamed because of its racist connotations. Coon was the surname of the creator of the manufacturing process.
Indigenous activists have also called for the state of Victoria to be renamed because it is named after Queen Victoria.
Colonial Brewing Co is considering changing its ‘problematic’ brand name after its beers were pulled from bottle shop shelves in Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania.
‘In light of the current climate and recent events, Colonial Brewing Co acknowledge the significant stress and angst [of] the Black Lives Matter community,’ Colonial Brewing Co managing director Lawrence Dowd said in a statement.
Nestlé released a statement on Tuesday explaining the names of both Red Skins and Chicos have ‘overtones which are out of step with Nestlé’s values, which are rooted in respect’.
‘This decision acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues.’
The company is yet to announce new names for the classics, which Australian and New Zealand kids have been enjoying for decades.
Nestlé said they ‘will move quickly’ to change the lolly names.
Allen’s Lollies released a similar statement on Tuesday.
‘At Allen’s we are about creating smiles,’ the statement read. ‘Today we announced that we will change the name of Red Skins and Chicos lollies.
‘This decision acknowledges the need to keep creating smiles, ensuring that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues, or is out of step with our values.
‘We haven’t finalised the new names, but we’ll keep you posted. We appreciate the comments we have received on the need for change.’
The One Nation leader shared her opinion of the matter on he Facebook page, writing: ‘Pathetic… the only way to describe companies and politicians dealing with the cancel culture epidemic’
‘I keep telling people that caving in to the hysterical left’s demands only makes things worse,’ Hanson said