The Aunt Jemima brand will get a new name and image, and the change prompted a wave of conservative anger.
Quaker Oats announced the syrup and pancake mix brand, which dates back to 1889 and originally featured a Black minstrel character, will get yet another update further away from its racist origins after facing renewed criticism during nationwide outrage over police killings of Black Americans.
“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” said Quaker Foods North America vice president and chief marketing officer Kristin Kroepfl. “As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations.”
Conservative social media users were left confused and angry.
@NBCNews @MeetThePress People love Aunt Jemima.. probably the most popular brand of syrup out there. People buy it… https://t.co/1xXiKOqUiE— basically (@basically) 1592401421
So the Quaker Oats man just cancelled Aunt Jemima in the name of fighting racism. Damn you liberals have shit for… https://t.co/hqDjp2FJoz— Paul Drewes (@Paul Drewes) 1592402085
Everyone Needs to #BoyCott @QuakerOats they are complete racists to the #snowflake liberal Aunt Jemima Cancel Cultu… https://t.co/3jS46LdN1j— BantheMask (@BantheMask) 1592401712
@CBSNews On the other hand, I hope this beautiful black face isn't replaced with a non-black face. I will probabl… https://t.co/1VhlnoVf2J— Aviarian 🇺🇸 (@Aviarian 🇺🇸) 1592403597
Aunt Jemima is being canceled. Soon all products will just be of white people. Good work regressives! Stunning and brave!— Shawn Bird 🇺🇸 (@Shawn Bird 🇺🇸) 1592402662
Aunt Jemima is being canceled. Soon all products will just be of white people. Good work regressives! Stunning and brave!— Shawn Bird 🇺🇸 (@Shawn Bird 🇺🇸) 1592402662
@cnni The world has gone fuckin mad!— Ezra Simms (@Ezra Simms) 1592402576
@NBCNews I am confused. Removing the image/logo of a black person on a product is a move towards equality? Why am I so confused?— Happy Desert Frog (@Happy Desert Frog) 1592401075
@PepsiCo since you do not appreciate the 131 year old brand “Aunt Jemima” I will give you $1 for the naming rights.… https://t.co/HOFUzFLlx4— Stocks and Sports (@Stocks and Sports) 1592402921
@NBCNews It is getting more and more ridiculous. Should we close all mosques because of Mohammad's hand in the slav… https://t.co/7bqu0bCwkY— Pegida Canada (@Pegida Canada) 1592400553
@NBCNews Hers is an amazing story. Instead of deleting her, why not put a small bio of her life story on the syrup.— Great Plains Cat (@Great Plains Cat) 1592400634
You sat back and said nothing when they tore down that statue of Thomas Jefferson You fanned me away when they ann… https://t.co/AAPH50SIAH— Tim Pool (@Tim Pool) 1592396232
