Nevertheless, a great-grandson of “Aunt Jemima” objected to the decision, claiming that the family was concerned that it would just serve to erase black history and suffering only one day after the choice was made public.

“I am the victim of this injustice, and so is my family.” Marine Corps veteran Larnell Evans Sr. said, “This is a part of my history.” He asserted that the firm was tasked with working to eradicate slavery after generating money off of it for many years.

They employ imagery of slavery from the white side of the spectrum when making references to racism. These businesses make money off such depictions of our servitude. They also made the decision to obliterate my great-grandmother’s past. female of color It aches.

According to Quaker Oats, the brand, whose emblem includes a black lady called Nancy Green who was formerly a slave, will be discontinued permanently. Green was a “storyteller, cook, and missionary worker,” according to records, despite being born under slavery, according to Quakers.

Green initially employed the “Aunt Jemima” brand name in 1893, when she was hired to serve pancakes at the Chicago World’s Fair. A Quaker Oats representative awarded Anna Short Harrington the moniker “Aunt Jemima” after she passed away in 1923 after witnessing her serve pancakes at the New York State Fair. According to Larnell Evans Sr., his great-grandmother was Anna Short Harrington. She was selected for the role in 1935.

The woman had reportedly worked at Quaker Oats for 20 years, according to Evans. She made pancakes for people while on the road in the United States and Canada as Aunt Jemima.

This woman was enslaved and served all of those people. She served as Aunt Jemima for someone. That was her responsibility. How do you think I feel as a black guy sitting here telling you about the history of my family that they’re attempting to erase?

Evans is furious that the business took advantage of a racial stereotype before moving on fast when it was appropriate since Quaker Oats wants to remove the brand.

How many white people watched Aunt Jemima over breakfast every morning as children? How many white companies gave us nothing while making enormous profits? Evans stated.

Are they simply going to ignore the past and act as if it never happened? Will they leave us in the dark? What gives them their authority?