Larnell Evans Sr., the great-grandson of “Aunt Jemima,” has voiced his concerns over Quaker Oats’ decision to retire the beloved breakfast brand. He believes that simply removing the brand is an attempt to erase the racist history associated with it, and that it is an injustice to his family.
A Legacy Carried On
Evans’s great-grandmother, Anna Short Harrington, took on the role of “Aunt Jemima” after the passing of the original actress, Nancy Green. Harrington, who was born on a South Carolina plantation, later worked as a maid and cook for a white family in New York. It was during her time at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house in Syracuse that a Quaker Oats representative discovered her and started using her likeness on products and advertisements.
Harrington became a national celebrity, traveling across the United States and Canada, delighting audiences with her famous pancakes. However, her descendants filed a lawsuit in 2014, claiming that Quaker Oats had not paid royalties to Harrington’s family. The case was ultimately dismissed due to legal technicalities.
Taking a Stand for Racial Equity
In response to recent events and the growing demand for racial equity, Quaker Foods announced that it would retire the Aunt Jemima brand. Mars Inc., the makers of Uncle Ben’s instant rice, also followed suit by changing the brand’s name and logo. The image on the Cream Of Wheat box is also under consideration for removal.
Evans, a 66-year-old Marine Corps veteran, believes that corporations like Quaker Oats should go beyond simply removing these images. He argues that they should acknowledge the profits they made from these racist depictions and provide restitution to the black community.
A Call for Accountability
Evans’s passion for preserving his family’s history is rooted in the desire for accountability and acknowledgment of the pain caused by these images. He firmly believes that merely erasing history without addressing the ongoing struggles and injustices faced by black Americans is not enough.
As the fight for racial equity continues, Evans hopes that corporations will step up to the plate and take responsibility for their past actions. Removing these racially insensitive images is a step in the right direction, but true progress requires more than just erasing the evidence. It necessitates tangible efforts to bring about positive change in the lives of those who have been marginalized for far too long.
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