Hershey’s, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, has been the subject of criticism and backlash after their newest commercial which features a transgender woman in the name of Fae Johnstone. Hershey’s Canada just released a first look at their newest propaganda in celebration of International Women’s Month. With the company’s current predicament, consumers are urging others from buying Hershey’s products with the #BoycottHersheys which is the number one trending topic on Twitter right now.
https://twitter.com/FaeJohnstone/status/1630960853192445952
Who is Fae Johnstone?
Fae Johnstone is a Canadian transgender who also happens to be a 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities) human rights advocate. She/They is also the Executive Director and Co-Owner of an Ontario-based company Wisdom2Action (W2A). Johnstone is also a renowned public speaker and writer.
Pictured next to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality is none other than Fae Johnstone, who wants "a political environment in which TERFs (read: women) are so vilified they don't dare speak their views publicly, let alone act on them". This is who our government listens to. pic.twitter.com/jZepKBa1zP
— Satyaagrah (@satyaagrahindia) September 7, 2022
But, just last year, Johnstone wanted “a political environment in which TERFs (read: women) are so vilified they don’t dare speak their views publicly, let alone act on them”. To those who do not know, TERF is an acronym for a derogatory term that means “trans-exclusionary radical feminist”.
#BoycottHershey’s: Almost everyone is getting mad
Despite the intention of commemorating International Women’s Month, Hershey’s is receiving a lot of negative feedback plus a boycott movement urging everyone to not buy any more of their chocolates and candies. The real reason why social media users are pissed is that Hershey’s highlighted a trans-woman on a month specifically made for women. It’s already known that some people still do not accept transgender women as real women.
Journalist Sonia Poulton and English author and internet personality Oli London are just some of the many who have expressed their disappointment with the latest Hershey’s advertisement.
Sorry to say if, but it’s International WOMENS DAY not MENS DAY.
This day is for women!
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) March 2, 2023
Why did they use a Mister instead of a Sister?
— Sonia Poulton (@SoniaPoulton) March 2, 2023
On the other hand, there are still some who support the idea. Some have found the video good and encouraging despite the massive outrage. The internet is divided as others have found the propaganda to represent the female department perfectly. Sarah Daniels, a Twitch streamer and TV actress also showed her support for Johnstone.
This is SO good Fae!!!!!!
— Rachael D'Amore (@rachaeldamore) March 2, 2023
Hershey’s response
Fae Johnstone is not entirely the highlight of Hershey’s commercial. The company released a statement regarding the addition of Johnstone which is in fact just a collaboration with other Canadian women who have made a huge impact on their respective fields.
“This year’s HER for SHE initiative highlights five Canadian women working to build a better future through their passion, activism, and work in their communities: Autumn Peltier, indigenous rights activist, and water; Fae Johnstone, 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate; Rita Audi, gender equality and education activist; Naila Moloo, climate technology researcher; and Kélicia Massala, founder of Girl Up Québec.”
The chocolate company is already akin to the boycott movement
In 2021, Hershey’s faced a child slavery lawsuit after being found using child laborers in West African cocoa farms for production. Not only that, last month, they received backlash after firing unvaccinated employees.
The chocolate manufacturing company seems to be on a thin rope. As of now, they haven’t responded to the latest #BoycottHersheys topic.
What do you think of the new Hershey’s Canada advertisement? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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