Christmas Goes Wonkily Woke

[naomi24]

A chocolate company making advent calendars purposely left the space for 8 December empty. In the wake of complaints the company say the advent calendar was designed with the same unequal distribution of chocolate as its bars, which highlights the use of slavery in the chocolate industry. Tony’s also acknowledged that it “failed to consider the difficulties empty windows can cause for our neurodivergent children and adults”.

I've no idea what 'neurodivergent children and adults” are - but I'll stick to Quality Street.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/tonys-chocolonely-advert-calendar-missing-chocolate-b1974956.html

[naomi24]

PP, you’re the only one blaaarting. If you want to know about the magi read the Bible. You’ve got them wrong. In the meantime take a breath.

[Arksided]

I'd be well miffed if were the child opening door no.8 with no understanding why.

[ynnafymmi]

They could at least have put a picture of George Floyd or some other violent career criminal in the missing space.

[ynnafymmi]

...or perhaps,a chocolate frog(a real frog encased in delicious chocolate),or how about larks vomit surprise(with real larks vomit)or spring surprise(with a real metal spring ).We could send a calendar to Greta Thunberg.

[Mamyalynne]

Adults who buy such things for children that carry a message should think carefully whether the child has the level of understanding to appreciate the said message.

[bobbinwales]

Tony's Advent calendars... there days are numbered...

[Peter Pedant]

just to reassure the chocco addicts:

Balthazar was described in the 8th century by Saint Bede as being "[of] black complexion, with [a] heavy beard" with the "myrrh he held in his hands prefigured the death of the Son of man".

the other two were Melchior - and Caspar. I betcha feel better for that and want a bit more .... chocco

Oh a bit more christology for you determined atheists
Myrrh is to anoint a king when he come into the world just as Jesus on the cross ( if you believe he was ever there that is!) was offered myrrh on the cross ( myrrhated wine to be exact...) to anoint a king as he goes out....

[naomi24]

PP, we know. Now do us all a favour and give google a rest.

[ynnafymmi]

....oh,and stop blaaarting while you are at it....

[HeavensToBetsy]

Naomi, why do you think it's "woke" and "virtue-signalling" to highlight inequality and slavery in the chocolate industry? Surely it's better to be given information so we can make informed choices?

[andy-hughes]

HTB - // Naomi, why do you think it's "woke" and "virtue-signalling" to highlight inequality and slavery in the chocolate industry? Surely it's better to be given information so we can make informed choices? //

Whether or not the point being made was 'woke' or 'virtue signalling', the message, like any message anywhere at any time, is only going to be understood if it makes sense in the first place.

Missing a chocolate out of a children's' Advent calendar as a message about exploitation, makes about as much sense as a trying to explain the evils of smoking by putting nineteen cigarettes in a packet of twenty.

Messages are all well and good.

Meaningless messages that upset children too young to understand them (and the adults who bought the stupid things!) are neither.

[Mozz71]

Perhaps a better idea would've been the make an advent calender with non-chocolate-y treats and explain why on the item.

[Mozz71]

Having said that, Tony's aren't shy when it comes to supporting social justice causes.

https://tonyschocolonely.com/uk/en/our-mission

[Mamyalynne]

A Chocolate Company that has the strapline ' Let's make chocolate 100% slave free', that explains on the front of the calendar what it's all about and the adults can't be bothered to explain to their child that they'll get two chocolates on the ninth day.

They should have bought fruit.

[naomi24]

HTB, I can understand the company wanting to highlight what they see as inequality (and that can be said to be debatable) but targeting a child's pleasure is not the way to educate. I think this is ill-considered - and the company seems to agree.