In 2020, Quaker Oats’ decision to discontinue the “Aunt Jemima” brand due to its racial associations sparked controversy. Larnell Evans Sr., a descendant of “Aunt Jemima,” objected to the move, seeing it as erasing black history and suffering. He criticized Quaker Oats for profiting from images of slavery and accused them of hypocrisy.

Quaker Oats, known for depicting a black woman named Nancy Green as Aunt Jemima, announced the brand’s permanent removal. They had previously referred to Green as a “storyteller, cook, and missionary worker.” The brand’s origins trace back to 1893 when it was used at the Chicago World’s Fair and later named after Anna Short Harrington, according to Evans, his great-grandmother.
Evans highlighted that Harrington worked for Quaker Oats for two decades, traveling across the U.S. and Canada as Aunt Jemima. He expressed frustration at how the company had capitalized on racial stereotypes and then swiftly distanced itself. He questioned why white corporations hadn’t shared profits with the black community and why they had the right to erase this history.

This controversy underscores the broader discussion surrounding racial stereotypes in branding and corporate responsibility. Share your thoughts on this issue and the Black Lives Matter movement’s goals in the comments.