Skittles

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Skittles is a brand of fruit-flavored candy, currently produced and marketed by the Wrigley Company, a division of Mars, Inc.

Skittles consist of hard sugar shells imprinted with the letter "S". The interior consists mainly of sugar, corn syrup, and hydrogenated palm kernel oil along with fruit juice, citric acid, natural and artificial flavors. The confectionery has been sold in a variety of flavor collections, such as Tropical, Wild Berry, Dessert, Sweet Heat and Sour.[1]

Skittles were first made commercially in 1974 by a British company. They were first introduced in North America in 1979 as an import confectionery. In 1982, domestic production of Skittles began in the United States.[1]

Racism accusation

Skittles Pride Month campaign

Pride Packs are part of the brand’s “Give the Rainbow” campaign, which has previously run in Canada, Germany and the UK. Although the Pride Packs don’t feature the usual vibrant colors, the gray candies come in the original five flavors of Strawberry, Orange, Grape, Green Apple and Lemon.[2]

With their rainbow colors, Skittles are often adopted as an unofficial symbol of LGBTQ inclusion. But, during the celebration of Pride Month in 2007, released a campaign that features limited edition all-white candies. And some on social media interpreted the gesture as a subtly racist misfire.[3]

In March 2017, Skittles unveiled an all-white version of the candy in an effort to allow “Pride’s rainbow to take center stage.” The revamped Skittles are currently being sold in black-and-white bags in both the United Kingdom and Germany, and will appear on store shelves through September 2017. But, by going all-white, some says that Skittles fail to reflect racial diversity within the queer community.[4]

Supports to BTAC’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund

Skittles partnered with Todrick Hall, an influencer and LGBTQ+ community member, to donate $100,0000 to the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC). The donation will support the group’s work to improve the lived experience of transgender people, including its Black Trans COVID-19 Community Response Fund initiative that benefits transgender families impacted by the coronavirus in the U.S.[2]

The Black trans community is a marginalized community that is further marginalized even in queer spaces, and often excluded from mainstream discussion about inequality they encounter. Hall took this opportunity to create a call to action for brands to do more to extend their support and advocacy past pride month, all year long. He advocated with his partnership with Skittles that his Black LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters deserve more visibility and support.[5]

Skittles is passionate about showing its support for the LGBTQ+ community, and that support extends beyond Pride month,” said Justin Hollyn-Taub, Skittles marketing director. “We’re excited to be partnering with Todrick Hall to make this donation to support the great work the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is doing year-round in communities across the U.S. to fight back against discrimination and inequities experienced by transgender people.”[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Skittles (confectionery) Wikipedia. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Skittles, Todrick Hall partner to donate $100K to National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. June 14, 2020. candyindustry.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  3. Tanenbaum, Michael. Skittles accused of racism, defended for colorless Pride Month candy. June 14, 2017. phillyvoice.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. Wong, Curtis, M. Some People Think Skittles’ All-White Pride Candies Are Racist. June 16, 2017. huffpost.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  5. Uvieghara, Nicole. 12 Examples of Brands Supporting #BlackLivesMatter. July 17, 2020. taboola.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021.