Sue Bee Honey was originally called Sioux Bee Honey - as in the Sioux tribe. The company claims the name was changed to reflect the correct pronunciation of the name, but one wonders if this explanation is simply a public relations statement to cover for the embarrassment of co-opting the name of a Native American tribe in their product and company name. Any embarrassment that may have played a part in this move did not, however, extend to the use of Native American imagery in their branding.
The Sue Bee Honey logo has a young Native American girl as their visual reference. What cannot be seen on labels any longer is the fact that the girl is only half human. The bottom half is that of a bee. It would be hard to find a clearer connection being drawn between Native Americans and wild animals or nature than in this classic form of the logo. The Native American is represented as not fully human. Without that humanity discrimination against American Indians is easier to justify.
Are you ever going to manufacture the 12 oz. plastic straight sided container with the flip top again? I have a very old one that I take care of, but it's not going to last forever. The main one you sell is the bear with all its indentations. Clover honey is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWas looking at my honey bottle this morning & put the pieces together for the first time! It still says Sioux Honey Ass’n on the back. Thank you, this was tricky to find information on.
ReplyDeleteSo the Sioux tribe does not own Sue Bee Honey? I didn't know that.
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