Quaker Oats Drops ‘Aunt Jemima’ Brand Amid Controversy

In 2020, Quaker Oats announced they would discontinue the “Aunt Jemima” brand, following the Black Lives Matter movement. The decision sparked widespread debate.

Family Objects to Erasing History

One day after the announcement, Larnell Evans Sr., the great-grandson of “Aunt Jemima,” voiced his objections. He argued that the move erases Black history and diminishes the struggles of their ancestors.

“This is an injustice for my family,” said Evans, a Marine Corps veteran. He expressed frustration, stating that Quaker Oats profited off slavery for years and is now trying to erase that history.

The Emotional Impact

Evans shared that racism tied to these images originated from white people, yet his great-grandmother’s legacy is being wiped away. “The company made money off our slavery, and now they want to erase my great-grandmother’s history. It hurts.”

The Story Behind the Brand

The “Aunt Jemima” brand began when Nancy Green, born into slavery, was hired by Quaker Oats to serve pancakes at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Evans’ other great-grandmother, Anna Short Harrington, took over the role in 1935, traveling the U.S. and Canada as Aunt Jemima.

Frustration Over Lost Legacy

Evans is deeply upset by the sudden move. He questions how Quaker Oats could profit from racial stereotypes for decades, only to discard the history when it became convenient. “How many white corporations made all the money, and didn’t give us a dime?”

He added, “Now they want to erase it like it never happened. What gives them that right?”