Uncle Ben's Former Rice

[rain_gryphon]

I'm disappointed (but not surprised) to learn that Uncle Ben's is surrendering to the race-baiters and the hatemongers, and is changing its name, and dropping the mascot. I've always used Uncle Ben's rice. It's what my grandmother used, and what my mother used. It's good rice, but there are plenty of companies that sell equally good rice. My goodwill towards the company is bound up with the name, with the orange box, and with the picture of cheerful old Uncle Ben on the box. Seeing the box in the kitchen brought happy memories. Foolish as it sounds, I felt that I had a relationship with Uncle Ben, that somehow he was pleased when I bought his rice. That's gone now, and it's just another brand of rice. What point is there in brand loyalty, when the brand isn't loyal to its consumers?

Comments

[moonhare]

Uncle Ben’s, Land o’Lakes, Aunt Jemima... I suppose Cream of Wheat is next. The times they are a-changin’.

[rain_gryphon]

I never did much care for Cream of Wheat, to be honest. On the good side, it's pretty much an exemplar of that late Victorian fad for foods that are bland, and easily digested. Nostalgic appeal aside, though, there's not much to it. I think it's at least ten years since I've had any.

[gremy.livejournal.com]

People just need to learn to laugh at themselves instead of pretending they're infallible.