The maker behind Twisted Tea, the Boston Beer Company, has apparently confirmed that it will not make any promotional deals with the man in last month’s viral video. The clip showed Barry Allen punching a racist in the face with a Twisted Tea can so hard he broke in an Ohio convenience store. Followers have been calling Allen for a promotional deal ever since, but Allen’s wife revealed on Sunday that they wouldn’t.
Allen’s wife created a Twitter account as “Ms. TeaKO” to follow memes about Allen’s incendiary fight. On Wednesday, she released a note explaining that the family had been in contact with the Boston Beer Company – at the insistence of their supporters. On Sunday, she posted screenshots of emails with the company, revealing that they won’t be working together in the future. This left many of them disappointed and some even proposed a boycott.
We appreciate everyone who sent them a message. They made contact and didn’t want to work with the teako yet! ????????♀️. pic.twitter.com/D64YdlcBTN
– MrsTeaKo OFFICIAL (@OfficalMrsteako) 6 janvier 2021
For anyone asking about the Boston beer reaction! It’s here! I was not going to publish it but I think it is valid to do it! Throwing a whole dime into racism doesn’t do anything until you understand the fight for it! That’s all I’m saying about it. pic.twitter.com/CwPhrF0XY2
– MrsTeaKo OFFICIAL (@OfficalMrsteako) 10 janvier 2021
Followers wanted Allen to get some sort of sponsorship from Twisted Tea and the Boston Beer Company because his video went viral over the holidays. Twisted Tea was all the rage on Twitter and memes proliferated in all formats. Many compare this to the case of Nathan Apodaca, who secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Ocean Spray after his video went viral this summer.
Obviously, the subject matter of Allen’s video is more passionate, although he and his wife argue that shouldn’t stop the Boston Beer Company from choosing sides. The company’s email lists the means by which it tries to combat racism, but Allen’s wife maintains that anti-racist advertising is just as important.
“The best way to champion equality and end racism and discrimination is to continue our work with partners like the NAACP. At times like this, rather than focusing on ourselves, we think the focus should be on the larger issue of ending racism, ”read the company’s email.
“Wanting the non-racist label but disagreeing with the violence that goes with it is hypocrisy!” Allen’s wife responded. “I hate to put it in tune, but your company has focused on the can rather than the hurtful racial slurs coming from the other gentleman. So I have to respectfully say that I feel as much as you missed a wonderful opportunity to show people that you are truly against racism. “
As many followers know, Allen and his family have been trying to raise money for their son’s medical bills since long before the Twisted Tea video went viral. They have received a lot of support in recent weeks and their GoFundMe campaign remains active at the time of writing.
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