The Aunt Jemima brand of breakfast foods that includes syrup and pancake mix will change its name and mascot after moderate internet outrage. A small, vocal minority of people expressed concern with the history of Aunt Jemima. The name comes from a song featured in a minstrel show. The original woman on the box, who at the time was the first living trademark, was picked to represent a “mammy” or a black maid common during slavery.
Aunt Jemima has gone through a “makeover” of sorts before. The woman on the pancake syrup bottle is not the same as the original from 1889. On the original packaging, the woman was darker skinned, somewhat overweight, and was wearing a headscarf. That makeover happened back in 1989. But fast forward to a time of heightened sensitivity to nearly everything, and that makeover is not good enough. They want to ruin the entire brand.
The reality is that the first brand of Aunt Jemima was not truly seen as offensive by the overwhelming majority of people regardless of race. Aunt Jemima’s facial features were not exaggerated like a minstrel show poster. She looked like a real person and still does today even after the “makeover.” The same thing can be said for under brands that are under “fire” by the woke liberal internet mob.
Domino Effect
Uncle Ben’s rice features an elderly, clean-shaven black man wearing a suit and bowtie. The same woke mob has descended upon this brand, claiming that it has “racist” origins. They, too, have pledged to change it’s branding to acquiesce to the vocal minority of people who are offended. Uncle Ben’s rice is a staple in the majority of households in America, especially black households.
Cream of Wheat instant hot cereal is also being targeted due to “racist” origins of their mascot. Apparently, a black man with a white suit, chef hat, and red bowtie holding a bowl of hot cream of wheat is “racist.” Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup does not even have an official mascot. It is a clear bottle in the shape of a woman with an apron on. But since the syrup is brown and people may think that the woman is black, then somehow it is offensive and should be changed.
Most black Americans take pride in seeing faces that look like themselves on products in stores that everyone can enjoy. But how much longer will that last? At this point, it’s nearly impossible to tell.
SOURCES:
Cream of Wheat Under Pressure to Remove Mascot Over Racist Origins
Mrs. Butterworth’s brand and packaging under review after Aunt Jemima
Uncle Ben’s rice to change brand as part of parent company’s stance against racism
Aunt Jemima brand to change name, remove image that Quaker says is ‘based on a racial stereotype’
Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben’s make changes amid protests l GMA – YouTube
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