the “moor”

The quote from Schiller’s second drama, the Fiesco – the Genoese Conspiracy – is frequently invoked in Austria: “the moor has done his duty, the moor may leave.” There is also an Austrian dessert, a chocolate pudding with lots of whipped cream,  called “Mohr im Hemd” – literally: “the moor in a white shirt.” It was featured, with the German name in theChicago coffee house of the Austrian company Julius Meinl. 

Julius Meinl, which used to consist of a chain of supermarkets and now has a gourmet shop in down town Vienna, has sported a bowing moor in its company’s logo for years: 

Also in light of the racism that plagues Austria, Mein Julius,  an initiative, which is also supported by the African community, highlights the colonial and racist connotation of the logo:

The need for this initiative is highlighted in the recent ups and downs of an affiliate of the Meinl Group, MEL – Meinl European Land. In covering the glam and potential prospects of the undertaking, the company’s chairperson, Julius Meinl V. was portraied in an almostErsatz-Emperor fashion. However, the downward spiral of the company was frequently described as the “moor” not doing so well …