Quaker Oats recently made the decision to discontinue the famous “Aunt Jemima” brand in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. However, this move has caused uproar among the family of Nancy Green, the real-life woman who portrayed Aunt Jemima.
Larnell Evans Sr., Green’s great-grandson and a Marine Corps veteran, quickly spoke out against the decision, believing that it would only contribute to the erasure of black history and suffering. Evans expressed his frustration, stating, “This is an injustice for me and my family. This is a part of my history.” He criticized the company for profiting from images of slavery and accused them of trying to erase his great-grandmother’s legacy.
The Aunt Jemima brand has long been associated with Nancy Green, a black woman who was once enslaved. Quaker Oats had referred to her as a “storyteller, cook, and missionary worker.” Green’s association with the brand began in 1893 when she was contracted to serve pancakes at the Chicago World’s Fair. After her passing in 1923, Quaker Oats decided to name their pancake mix “Aunt Jemima” in her honor. Anna Short Harrington, Evans’ great-grandmother, took on the role in 1935.
Evans highlighted the irony of the situation, as Quaker Oats had profited from racial stereotypes for many years before suddenly deciding to change course. He questioned why white corporations had benefited from characters like Aunt Jemima without sharing any of the profits with the black community. Evans passionately stated, “They’re just going to erase history like it didn’t happen? They’re not going to give us anything? What gives them the right?”
It is clear that the decision to discontinue the Aunt Jemima brand has ignited strong emotions within Nancy Green’s family. They see it as an attempt to erase a significant part of black history. While the brand may disappear, the legacy of Nancy Green and Aunt Jemima will continue to resonate with many, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
