Clinton resident Earl Anderson has filed a lawsuit against the Keebler Elves alleging racist product naming. The lawsuit, filed last week, claims that the Keebler Elves knowingly packaged and sold a product that disparaged white people. His legal team is trying to get the case upgraded to a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all disparaged white people in Tennessee.
“I reckon I like the Elves okay,” Anderson told reporters, “but why did they have to go and name those snacks ‘crackers?’ I got nothin’ against the salty, baked snacks, and eat them in my soup almost daily. But every durn time I look at that box I feel like them Elves is callin’ me a Cracker.”
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| This undated file photo shows Ernie, Ma, and Fast Eddy working in their hollow tree factory. |
Legal experts are divided on the issue. Many feel the suit is frivolous at best, but others are not so sure. University of Tennessee legal scholar Pruitt LeGume agrees with Anderson. “In this day and age, you would think society would be above naming products in a racist fashion, and I believe it has to stop,” LeGume said.
A spokeswoman for the Keebler Elves said she thought the lawsuit would be dismissed, and if not they expect to win. She would not take any questions from reporters, but indicated the Elves were astonished when they heard the news.
The lawsuit will be heard later this month in federal court in downtown Knoxville. Any ruling is expected to be immediately appealed by either side.