If you’re stuck in 1992 and still gifting Eskimo Joe’s merchandise to friends and family as Christmas presents, Stan Clark—the founder of Eskimo Joe’s—wants to make sure you’re buying officially licensed offensive merchandise directly from him, not from some shady online counterfeiter.
Here’s more via KFOR:
As you chip away at your holiday shopping list, beware of counterfeit items. Beloved Oklahoma brands are constantly in battle with fakes, including Eskimo Joe’s.
During their 50 years in business, the fight against fake merchandise has been a constant struggle.
“We’ve caught several unscrupulous actors,” said Stan Clark, the CEO of Eskimo Joe’s. “But, [it] seems to be really ramping up right now.”
Clark said Friday morning, loyal customers received an email in their inboxes warning of counterfeit clothing.
“They actually charge more!” said Clark, referring to the scammers. “We just don’t want our guests to be burned.”
That’s right, folks!
If you’re giving someone a sweatshirt from a sports bar in Stillwater featuring a dated, offensive caricature of an Inuit, make sure it’s the real deal—so the guy who turned cultural stereotypes into a quirky logo can keep cashing in.
After all, nothing says "holiday spirit" quite like ensuring the authenticity of your questionable nostalgia gifts.
“Go to hell, Patrick! There’s nothing offensive about the word Eskimo! They didn’t mean any offense when they named the place, and it doesn’t hurt anybody. There will be an Igloo in Hell before they change the name!"
I don’t necessarily disagree.
As a guy who used to freely use the word while trolling my buddies who were dating someone I had a history with, the word Eskimo doesn’t bother me personally. It’s never struck me as offensive, but then again, I’m a white dude from Oklahoma.
Back in 2020, when the woke movement hit its insufferable peak, 6,000 people—many of whom I assume had never set foot in Eskimo Joe’s—signed a petition urging the establishment to change its name.
After hearing their arguments, I see their point. Using European-inspired caricatures and outdated terms as branding in today’s day and age is tacky, tone-deaf, and, frankly, dumb.
People of color shouldn't be seen as caricatures or used as mascots. It's damaging for children to see themselves depicted as ugly or dehumanized. These depictions parallel the racist ads, mascots, and cartoons of Native Americans, Asians, and Africans. The Inuit and Mexican people are not to be exploited for these restaurants' branding.
We're not trying to make these restaurants go away. Racism is nuanced, and it can come from an innocent place. But this insensitivity contradicts the positive impact these businesses have on the community. We ask the owner, Stan Clark, for a total rebranding of Esk*mo Joe's and Mexico Joe's that removes this dehumanizing imagery and the slur "Esk*mo."
Naturally, the movement to press Stan Clark to change the name of one of Stillwater’s beloved institutions offended local yokels, OSU grads, anti-woke police, and even the Ogle family itself.
Kelly “Kingpin” Ogle—the guy who named his war hammer "Cheese Fry"—went all-in to defend the name.
He even dedicated a Your 2 Cents segment to it, sharing viewer feedback that, ironically enough, unintentionally illustrated why Eskimo Joe’s should change the name:
Look, I see why lower-IQ white people get mad about this stuff. Change sucks and I don't think Stan Clark has it out for Eskimos. But let’s be real: in today’s world, clinging to a dated brand that offends a significant number of people and—if we’re being honest—does spoof an indigenous culture, even if unintentionally, is awkward at best. Language is fluid and ever-changing, and as every Karen knows, a word that seems innocuous today can evolve into a slur or negative connotation tomorrow.
Knowing that, maybe it’s time for Stan to cash in on a rebrand.
I mean, if Eskimo Pies can change their name to Eddy’s Pies, surely Eskimo Joe’s can update its image to something non-offensive. And if Stan Clark wants to have an edge, at least mock and caricaturize his own culture, and not one located 1,500 miles away.
For example, they could always go this route...
I give Stan Clark, Eskimo Joe's and Mike Gundy full authority to take this new name and logo and run with it.
Not only will the anti-Eskimo Joe's folks love it, but the locals – and Kelly Ogle – won't mind because they're not woke and have senses of humor... right?
Anyway, until Eskimo Joe’s decides to change their name, I’d think twice about gifting any of their merchandise—authentic or counterfeit. Regardless of their take on the word Eskimo, the recipient is more likely to be offended by how shitty and dated the gift is.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
