Name: Eskimo Joe's sponsorship of OSU's Coaches vs. Cancer ended due to name, logo
Brand: oklahoman.com
SKU: oklahoman-com-113
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Eskimo Joe's sponsorship of OSU's Coaches vs. Cancer ended due to name, logo

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Jacob Unruh STILLWATER — The American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches’ partnership with Eskimo Joe’s has ended.Last month, the sponsorship for Oklahoma State University’s annual Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising campaign was stopped due to the restaurant’s use of “Eskimo” in the name and caricature logo, according to an email obtained by The Oklahoman.“We have considered your feedback and will be immediately discontinuing our partnership with Eskimo Joe’s in Stillwater, Oklahoma,” American Cancer Society vice president Jeff Fehlis and NABC executive director Craig Robinson wrote in a July 24 email to John Burnett, an OSU alumnus who contacted both organizations.“It’s important that our volunteers and community partners reflect the Society’s core organizational values — integrity, compassion, courage, determination, and diversity — in their work on behalf of our mission,” the email continued. “Your outreach to both of our organizations earlier this week shed a new light on our partnership with Eskimo Joe’s.”The American Cancer Society and NABC confirmed their decision to The Oklahoman. They declined to comment further.Officials from Eskimo Joe’s did not acknowledge the decision to The Oklahoman. Restaurant founder and CEO Stan Clark pledged to remain involved in donating to nonprofit organizations.“We are proud of the work we have done to support many nonprofits over the past 45 years,” Clark said in a statement. “We cherish all our partnerships and remain dedicated to giving back to our community.”In 1993, legendary men’s basketball coach Eddie Sutton helped launch — a national collaboration with the American Cancer Society and NABC. OSU’s program is one of the most successful in the nation, consistently ranking among the top 10 nationally.Eskimo Joe’s has been a longstanding sponsor. More than 30,000 people responded to an online survey by the restaurant and more than 90% encouraged the continued usage of the name and logo, according to restaurant.“They love Eskimo Joe and Buffy, who have always represented fun and excellent service while welcoming and respecting all people,” the restaurant said on social media. “As a company, we pride ourselves on giving our loyal customers what they want, so we currently plan to make no changes to our name and logo.” Started by Tatiana Hayton, an Atlanta resident, it calls for a “total rebranding of Esk*mo Joe’s and Mexico Joe’s.” More than 6,000 people had signed the petition by Friday afternoon., “Eskimo” was commonly used in Alaska, but is now considered unacceptable “since it’s a colonial name imposed by non-Indigenous people.”“Inuit” is the current term in Alaska and across the Arctic.“People of color shouldn't be seen as caricatures or used as mascots,” Hayton wrote on the online petition. “It's damaging for children to see themselves depicted as ugly or dehumanized. These depictions parallel the racist ads, mascots, and cartoons of Native Americans, Asians, and Africans. The Inuit and Mexican people are not to be exploited for these restaurants' branding.“We're not trying to make these restaurants go away. Racism is nuanced, and it can come from an innocent place. But this insensitivity contradicts the positive impact these businesses have on the community.”

Jacob Unruh STILLWATER — The American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches’ partnership with Eskimo Joe’s has ended.Last month, the sponsorship for Oklahoma State University’s annual Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising campaign was stopped due to the restaurant’s use of “Eskimo” in the name and caricature logo, according to an email obtained by The Oklahoman.“We have considered your feedback and will be immediately discontinuing our partnership with Eskimo Joe’s in Stillwater, Oklahoma,” American Cancer Society vice president Jeff Fehlis and NABC executive director Craig...

Eskimo Joe's sponsorship of OSU's Coaches vs. Cancer ended due to name, logo

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