All the German frozen food company was trying to do was sell some chicken.
And they figured the best pitchman for the fried snack would be the world's most popular politician, President Barack Obama.
But now the company, Sprehe, finds itself embroiled in a stewing racial controversy over linking America's first black president with fried chicken.
Obama Fingers, the tasty treat served with a curry sauce, will undoubtedly leave some blacks with a case of indigestion. Not because they ate the snack but, because advertising that links black people to fried chicken or watermelon for that matter is deemed racist.
A company spokesman said they didn't know that naming their snack after Obama would cause a racial stir. I tend to believe them.
"It was supposed to be a homage to the American lifestyle and the new U.S. president," sales manager Judith Witting told Germany's Spiegel Online.
"Americans are more relaxed. Not like us stiff Germans," she was quoted as saying.
A lot of whites in America are unaware that some black folks don't like to be associated with fried chicken. And if we are going to be honest, lets acknowledge that plenty of black and white folks enjoy fried chicken - if the customer lines at fried chicken restaurants can be used a barometer.
Irony:This story comes a day or two after Obama gave a talk on food safety. So go ahead and enjoy your Obama fingers - and don't forget the curry sauce. They sound delicious.
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