N2 Gelato apologises for ‘insensitive’ blackface post

A HIPSTER gelato brand has sacked its social media manager over a “careless” Instagram post after being accused of “trivialising racism”.

N2 Extreme Gelato has upset followers with a “careless” Instagram post.

A HIPSTER gelato brand has sacked its social media manager over a “careless and insensitive” Instagram post.

Capitalising on the trend for all things charcoal, N2 Extreme Gelato has brought out a new flavour of its fancy, frozen-on-the-spot dessert.

n2 Gelato has sacked their social media manager over this post.

Its social media manager opted to promote the honey charcoal vanilla flavour by posting an image of the gelato being held by a person whose arm appears to be smeared with charcoal, along with the caption:

“Is it still considered blackface if it’s just on your hand??? Anyway it’s just split [sic] carbon so calm yo tits with our HONEY CHARCOAL VANILLA gelato!”

The post drew criticism from the brand’s disgusted followers on Instagram and Facebook, accusing it of “trivialising racism” with its “heinous” caption.

N2 Extreme Gelato reportedly changed the caption a number of times before settling on this meek apology:

“HONEY CHARCOAL VANILLA gelato! [We deeply apologise for the careless and insensitive caption that was posted before this. We have taken disciplinary action against the staff in question and the staff has been suspended as well as will no longer be any social media communications role. Deepest apologies that this was posted so thoughtlessly. We will ensure tight social media scrutiny controls are put in place]”.

The post is the latest in a string of controversial images to divide social media users.

Last year, Snapchat was criticised for its Bob Marley filter which gave people a digital “black face”, while footballers and ordinary punters— labelled “redneck scumbags”— were slammed for dressing up in black face for social occasions.

And a West Australian mummy blogger received death threats after posting a photo on Facebook of her son in blackface in tribute to AFL star Nic Naitanui.

Blackface has been controversial since white actors in the 19th century used it to mock black people in American theatre shows.

It has been publicly called out numerous times recently by prominent indigenous Australians such as basketballer Liz Cambage and rapper Adam Briggs.

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