Mars has explained that the uncle ben s logo which was first used in 1946 was named after an african american. Why are uncle ben s rice and aunt jemima s pancake syrup logos racist. Known to households everywhere as a line of pancake mixes and other breakfast products the company admitted that the logo for the eponymous aunt jemima line was based on a racial stereotype.
Pepsico subsidiary quaker oats announced on wednesday that it would be changing the name and packaging of its line of aunt jemima food products. Racist food images to be banned. Wednesday 17 june 2020 aunt jemima is no more uncle ben about to be fired.
If you go to the our history section of the aunt jemima website it gives a rather whitewashed rundown of key moment s in the company s long life it was founded in 1889 and 100 years later. Ap by david lazarus business columnist. The indisputably racist aunt jemima brand and its bewildering longevity speaks to the power of marketing in reinforcing offensive stereotypes.
Yes the three retirees aunt jemima uncle ben and hopefully rastus owe their rest to corporate attempts to get in on a furious fad of social distancing from america s racist past. Now he s sharing his collection with the world. New racism museum reveals the ugly truth behind aunt jemima david pilgrim has spent decades collecting racist pictures signs and knickknacks.
Betye saar and faith ringgold are just two artists who. Art world quaker oats is retiring the aunt jemima brand whose racist origins have inspired artists biting interpretations for decades. Quaker oats is retiring the more than 130 year old aunt jemima brand and logo acknowledging its origins are based on a racial stereotype.
