GsIn the wake of backlash on social media, Walmart has pulled the Juneteenth ice cream off its shelves.
“Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope” was the theme of the ice cream, which was flavoured with red velvet and cheesecake.
Several Americans criticized Walmart for exploiting the federal holiday ‘Juneteenth 19’ through the sale of Ice cream.
At a Raleigh Walmart, WRAL News found the item, but the ice cream was not available for purchase at the check-out.
An employee at the store disclosed they would dispose the ice cream later on.
On June 19th or Juneteenth, the anniversary of slavery’s abolition is celebrated in the United States.
The holiday commemorates the emancipation of slaves in Texas, which took two years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in Texas.
Barbeques, music, and prayer in churches were the traditional parts of celebrations.
The tradition spread throughout the U.S. as Black Texans moved to other parts of the country.
Governor Cooper and Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Day in the state and city of Raleigh in 2021.
Juneteenth does not mark the end of slavery.
There are instances when slave owners withheld information about the freedom of Black Americans and refused to release their slaves until forced to do so.
