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The Sweet Stuff Back Shop’s cake featured “South Park” character Cartman dressed as Hitler alongside the words “HEIL KATIE!!!”
A screenshot of the Sweet Stuff Bake Shop’s Facebook post depicting a South Park character dressed as Hitler. Facebook
A bakery in Norton issued a public apology Sunday after sharing a photo on Facebook of a customer-requested cake depicting a “South Park” character as Adolf Hitler.
The cake, created by Sweet Stuff Bake Shop, featured Cartman, a character from the animated TV series “South Park,” dressed as Hitler alongside the words “HEIL KATIE!!!,” as seen in a screenshot shared with Boston.com of the now-deleted post.
The bakery said in its apology that the cake was made for a customer over the weekend. After backlash online, the photo was removed from the bakery’s Facebook page.
“We hadn’t considered the feelings of the greater global community,” the bakery wrote in its apology. “Please know that we would never willingly wish to disrespect any portion of the world population.”
The apology drew a mixed response, with some expressing sympathy and others criticizing the decision to create the cake and post it online.
“Thank you for your apology. However, as a customer who has had a number of delicious and beautiful cakes from your bakery … I am horrified and saddened that you felt it was appropriate to post a picture of a cake with an image of Hitler,” one commenter wrote.
Another commenter called the incident “2 poor choices,” adding: “It was a choice to make the cake and it was a choice to proudly post your creation. I don’t think you are hateful and I truly hope you take the time to be introspective.”
Others defended the bakery and its owner, Melanie Barrick, citing her reputation in the community.
“Melanie. I love your cakes and your bakery. You do so much for so many,” one commenter wrote.
Another commenter described Barrick as “one of the kindest business owners in this town.”
“As [a] small business owner myself we don’t always have a choice to say ‘no’ when our family depends on our income in a down economy,” the comment continues. “We also can’t scan for every possible way we may or may not offend the masses because we’re doing all we can to support our customers. We (and I can assure you) Sweet Stuff Bake Shop is no exception.”
A Jewish resident of Norton, who requested anonymity due to concerns of potential antisemitic backlash or harassment, said he found the cake “offensive and disturbing.”
“It upset me that antisemitism and Nazi imagery are treated casually enough that a business owner would not see the problem with making a cake of that nature — let alone proudly displaying it on the business’s social media page,” he told Boston.com.
The Norton resident also said the bakery’s subsequent apology “did not feel like enough.”
“I think the community deserved a more direct and serious apology,” he added.
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