Americans offended at new fast food joint called Obama Fried Chicken, say it is a classic racist rip-off
Americans offended at new fast food joint called Obama Fried Chicken, say it is a classic racist rip-off
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Its sign shows a grinning caricature of President Obama's head on a skinny version of Colonel Sanders' body.
Below it, written in Chinese, is the slogan, "We're so cool, aren't we?"
The presidential eatery: The Obama Fried Chicken restaurant in
Beijing. Many have said that mimicking Obama was an insult to America
and was disrespectful.
"It's insulting, offensive and plays to racial stereotypes," said civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton.
"What makes it even worse is that when we deal with this global competition between the US and China, for them to be mocking the leader of the free world, I find it even more appalling."
US President Obama frying some burger patty with UK Prime Minister
David Cameron in May. File pic/getty images
Not the first one
Not that the Chinese were the first to come up with the idea.
At the similarly named Obama's Fried Chicken in Harlem, the Chinese knockoff was blasted as fowl play.
"I wouldn't eat there because of that picture," fumed Momodou Jallow, the manager of the store on St.
Nicholas Avenue.
"You can't degrade the president like that," Jallow said.
"It's sketched that way to make fun of Obama so people will buy fried chicken.
"How can you take [Colonel Sanders'] body and put Obama's head on it and call it OFC? It's disrespectful," he said.
When Jallow's restaurant changed its name in 2009, the manager said, it was intended as an honour for the first black president.
"For us, it's different," argued Jallow.
"There's no disrespectful picture," he said, pointing to the restaurant's logo-free awning.
US Prez Obama's favourite food
>> Planters Trail Mix: Nuts, Seeds & Raisins
>> Roasted almonds
>> Pistachios
>> Water
>> MET-Rx chocolate roasted peanut protein bars
>> Vegetables, especially broccoli and spinach
>> Handmade milk chocolates from Fran's Chocolates in Seattle
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