Cafe slammed on social media for serving up 'racist' burger named 'Uncle Tom' - but owners say they did not know it was offensive
- Newly opened Brisbane cafe Master Toms named one burger Uncle Tom
- The name is also a derogatory term for a black person, dating back to mid-1800s
- A customer picked up on the name and said he left the cafe 'straight away'
- The cafe has now vowed to change the burger's name and update the menu
A newly opened cafe is at the centre of a racism row over the naming of a burger.
Master Toms, in Brisbane's city centre, only flung open its doors less than four months ago but it has already found itself embroiled in accusations of racism, 9News reported.
The cafe has named one of its burgers Uncle Tom, which is also a derogatory term describing a black person who is considered to be excessively obedient to a white person.
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A Brisbane cafe is at the centre of a racism row after naming one of its burgers Uncle Tom
Customer Jonathan Butler-White said he felt a 'mix of disappointment and anger' when he noticed the burger's name
Master Toms manager Eduardo Cantarelli has now vowed to change the burger's name
The name first came to prominence in the novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in the mid-1800s.
The novel, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, details the suffering of African-American slaves.
Customer Jonathan Butler-White, who noticed the name when he dropped by the cafe recently, said he felt a 'mix of disappointment and anger'.
'I think it's concerning but I don't think it's surprising,' he said
'I did leave straight away.'
Mr Butler-White then made his feelings known to the cafe through social media who told him they were 'completely unaware' of the name's historical meaning.
Master Tom's manager Eduardo Cantarelli vowed to change the burger's name and update the menu.
'We really want to change that because that's not good for us, it's not good for the business,' Mr Cantarelli said.
Reaction to the name of burger on social media has been mixed
Reaction on social media to the name of the burger has been mixed.
'Why does the burger need a derogatory name? Why not change the name to something that doesn't resound with such violence, racism etc,' one person commented.
Another said: 'Is it just me or is political correctness going a bit overboard? I wouldn't even have considered the name'.
Mr Butler-White said he was now prepared to give the cafe the benefit of the doubt.
The Uncle Tom burger has been retailing at $17, with fresh ground lean beef mince, with bacon, fried egg, cheese, beetroot, tomato, lettuce and house sauce, served in a lightly toasted bun.
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