Outrage Over the Erasure of Aunt Jemima’s Legacy
The recent announcement by Quaker Foods to rebrand Aunt Jemima has stirred significant controversy, particularly among individuals like Larnell Evans Sr., the great-grandson of the original Aunt Jemima. In an interview with Patch, Evans voiced his anger and disillusionment regarding the erasure of his family’s history and the legacy associated with Aunt Jemima.
Preserving Heritage
Evans laments the oversight by cancel culture, which fails to recognize the true heritage of Aunt Jemima and unfairly associates racism with depictions originating from slavery. He underscores that Aunt Jemima’s origins stem from a black woman named Nancy Green, who initially portrayed the character in 1893. Green, a former slave, served pancakes to fairgoers at the Chicago World’s Fair while adorned in an apron and headscarf. She continued in this role until her passing in 1923, at which point Evans’ grandmother, Anna Short Harrington, assumed the mantle.
Celebrating Anna Short Harrington
Evans takes immense pride in recounting the achievements of his grandmother as Aunt Jemima. Anna Short Harrington, who had previously served as a chef at Syracuse University, garnered acclaim for her delectable pancakes. It was at the 1935 New York State Fair where a Quaker Foods employee stumbled upon her and her homemade pancakes. Impressed by her culinary prowess, the company recruited Harrington and prominently featured her image in their advertisements and product packaging. Over her 20-year tenure with Quaker Oats, she became a household name, serving pancakes across the United States and Canada.
Fighting for Recognition
Despite her iconic status and the company’s utilization of her image, Harrington’s heirs sought to sue Quaker Foods in 2014 for $3 billion in unpaid royalties, though their efforts were unsuccessful. Evans contends that rather than erasing history, Quaker Foods should acknowledge and pay tribute to the fact that they profited from the likenesses of Nancy Green, Anna Short Harrington, and even depictions of slavery.
Contemplating the Past
Evans poses a poignant inquiry: how many white individuals were raised on Aunt Jemima cartoons during their breakfast routine? And how many white-owned enterprises garnered significant profits without reciprocating? He implores Quaker Foods to ponder the historical legacy and persistent anguish rather than merely obliterating it.
Welcoming the Future
Quaker Foods stands firm in their determination to eliminate the Aunt Jemima branding and artwork from their entire product line by year’s end. While this choice signals the conclusion of an era, the dialogue concerning Aunt Jemima’s legacy and the imperative for acknowledgment and restitution of historical injustices persists.
Honoring Actual Individuals
As we chart our course into the future, it is imperative to acknowledge the genuine individuals who gave life to Aunt Jemima and the profound impact it wielded on their lives and society at large. Let us pay homage to their contributions and endeavor toward a world that is more inclusive and equitable.
