In a letter to Wendy's President and CEO Todd A. Penegor, the Ancient Order of Hibernians has condemned the use of "defaming Irish stereotypes" as part of its "National Roast Day" promotion, where the hamburger chain roasts people who ask it to.
According to the Hibernians, in an apparent response to the "Irish Spring" product line of New York based Colgate-Palmolive asking to be "roasted," Wendy's issued a TikTok video questioning the Roast's appropriateness of the firm's marketing association of cleanliness with Irish people.
The video may be viewed at https://www.tiktok.com/@wendys/video/7221988100300623150
The AOH Letter, penned by National Anti-Defamation Chair Neil Cosgrove, reads: "I write to you concerning a video your company posted to TikTok as part of your 'National Roast Day' promotion that defames the Irish and people of Irish ancestry.
"In the video, an animated form of your Wendy logo, in an attempt to ‘roast’ Irish Spring Soap, with a sarcastic look of bewilderment on her face, states, 'Because when I think of clean, I think …. Irish people?'
"The dictionary defines a 'roast' as 'a comedy event where a comedian insults a public figure or celebrity.' It is evident that the intent of this 'joke' is that your organization believes that 'Irish people' and 'clean' is some form of an oxymoron.
"While the Irish are well regarded for their sense of humor and self-deprecation, your promo and its message goes a step too far.
"Historically, the Irish have often been portrayed as dirty and unkempt in bigoted cartoons and stage performances. These stereotypes were fueled by prejudices against the Irish and were used to justify discrimination against them.
"This stereotype was often used to explain why many Irish immigrants lived in crowded and unsanitary tenements and why they were more prone to diseases like cholera and typhoid fever rather than admitting to the actual root causes of poverty and discrimination. There is nothing funny in implying in any way, no matter what the intent, that being Irish and clean are incompatible.
"I am very disappointed that a company like Wendy’s lacked creativity and imagination in its 'National Roast Day' advertisements and instead fell back on cheap ethnic stereotype humor. Certainly, if one wished to fulfill 'Irish Spring's' request to be 'roasted,' there is enough material in that it's 'Irish connection' goes no further than Madison Avenue without defaming people with actual Irish heritage who never asked to be insulted. This is the 21st century, and there should be no place for humor rooted in the bigoted stereotypes of the 19th.'
"We respectfully ask for a reply and a public apology from Wendy’s Mr. Penegor."
