Great-grandson of ‘Aunt Jemima’ Expresses Frustration Over Legacy Scrapping: Deems It an Injustice to Family
In 2020, Quaker Oats attributed the discontinuation of the “Aunt Jemima” brand to the Black Lives Matter movement. Larnell Evans Sr., great-grandson of the iconic figure, expressed the family’s discontent, asserting that the decision amounted to a disregard for the historical significance and struggles of the African American community. Evans argued that profiting from slave imagery and subsequently attempting to erase his great-grandmother’s legacy was ethically questionable.
The retirement of the Quaker Oats trademark, featuring Nancy Green, a freed slave, as its mascot, was officially declared. Evans highlighted the two-decade exploitation of Green’s portrayal of Aunt Jemima post-slavery abolition, raising questions about the ethical responsibility of predominantly white-owned corporations profiting from racial stereotypes without rectification.
When asked about the justification behind such actions, Evans questioned, “What gives them the right?” He expressed his belief that the erasure of this historical narrative was unjust. The decision to phase out the brand has elicited varied reactions. Readers are encouraged to share their perspectives in the comments or distribute this story on Facebook to signal support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
