Cracker Barrel, Aunt Jemima, and Paper Straws

Can you believe they changed Cracker Barrel's logo?...and what's wrong with Aunt Jemima? Why do we need to be so "woke"? Don't even get me started on paper straws. Have you ever tried to drink a smoothie out of a paper straw? Even worse, they like to pretend that they are saving the environment, and then the employee gives you the paper straw with the plastic cup. REALLY!!!!

To quote Billy Joel, "You may be right, I may be crazy" but I think everyone's selective outrage has gone way too far. While I love me some Aunt Jemima and I hate paper straws, it's hard for me to wrap my head around why people care more about a logo then they do the employees working for the corporations. Especially when most of them are working for extremely low wages and end up at homeless ministries like Matthew's Hope.

It's easy to be a keyboard warrior and complain about Cracker Barrel's logo, but what's the real economic impact of changing a logo. This means changes to the website and social media. For retail establishments, new signs, menus, and merchandise. The price tag for these brand changes are in the millions. Don't get me wrong, as a marketing professional, I love every time a client has a new logo. But for people to cheer like they won the Super Bowl because their collective outrage made a Company waste millions of dollars to change their logo back is ridiculous.

Where's the outrage for the working homeless? Many of whom are working multiple jobs and still can't afford rent. Where's the outrage about the spending cuts to all the government programs designed to help the waitress and dishwasher working at Cracker Barrel.

So the next time you find yourself motivated to protect Uncle Ben or Aunt Jemima, think about your own Aunt and Uncle. How are they doing? The truth is baby boomers are among the fastest growing population that needs your support. There are real people who are suffering in this country. Let's use our collective outrage to help them, help themselves.