Folks, a new flavor of Oreo has hit store shelves, and it has some people scratching their heads. It’s called “Watermelon” and it consists of a vanilla cookie filled with pink and green cream. Looking like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, Watermelon Oreos have ignited a firestorm of controversy on social media.

The debate ranges from whether or not the cookies are delicious or disgusting, to whether or not they are “racist.”

With regard to the concept and their flavor, Twitter users have mixed reviews. One person who was retweeted hundreds of times said “If NSA listen to everything! And stop people making bombs! How come they no stop Nabisco from making Watermelon Oreos!?” Another user did not try to hide her distaste: “Oh my stars & garters, WATERMELON Oreos? NO. Ew, ack.”

Still others were more positive, saying that people should be “braced for a melon punch of flavor.” One radio host said “I had to try watermelon Oreos on the air today, and they were surprisingly delicious. My job is so hard.”

As is totally unsurprising on social media, the conversation has quickly turned into a debate, but besides the flavor argument, some people feel that the new melony treats are “racist.” Even though it may be difficult for some to imagine in their wildest

dreams how a cookie could be “racist,” others seemed downright furious at the name of the controversial confection:

“Have you heard about this new Oreo cookie called Watermelon Oreos? It’s the most unintentionally racist sounding cookie ever.” While others said that the name contains “multiple layers of racism” and others contending that the cookie

contains “subliminal racism.”

But the argument gets even more complex. Some Twitter users are now accusing the people saying that the cookies are racist, are racists themselves for reading something into the cookie that isn’t there, contending that even associating the name with racism implies an underlying racist agenda on the part of the person perceiving the name to be racist. Say that five times fast.

Could someone call in a PhD in social science and intergroup dynamics please?! It’s obvious we need some commentary from an expert regarding the social implications of this sugary Svengali.

According to a Nabisco spokesperson, their intentions were a lot more lighthearted than the Twitterverse is making them out to be: “We chose Watermelon because it is a fun, summer flavor that goes great with the Golden OREO cookie.”

It hardly sounds like a secret agenda to set the social media world aflame with fervor akin to the most passionate activists. Shall we organize a March on Washington?

Perhaps the real culprit here is a brilliant marketing department; a department that knew in advance how controversial, in flavor, concept and name, the limited edition snack would turn out to be. Can they be faulted for doing their jobs correctly? Perhaps, but one thing is certain: the debate over the Watermelon Orea will march on.

So what do you think? Delicious? Disgusting? Racist? Not racist? Weigh in below in the comments section and let us know!

By: Rebecca Savastio

Source: Twitter

Source: Christian Science Monitor