It was recently reported that Aunt Jemima would be removed from Quaker Oats products in the wake of racial injustice protests. Now, the great-grandson of the Aunt Jemima actress is speaking out on how he is unhappy about the removal of the character from the products. Larnell Evans Sr. is the name of the great-grandson of Anna Short Harrington. She portrayed the character of Aunt Jemima from 1935 to 1954.
“This is an injustice for me and my family. This is part of my history, sir,” Evans tells Patch. “The racism they talk about, using images from slavery, that comes from the other side — white people. This company profits off images of our slavery. And their answer is to erase my great-grandmother’s history. A Black female. … It hurts.”
The great-grandson of Aunt Jemima actress speaks out
Harrington was originally discovered by representatives of the Quaker Oats Company in 1935. She was cooking pancakes at the 1935 New York State Fair. She was then hired to dress up as Aunt Jemima and toured North America while promoting the brand. Harrington was known as the third official Aunt Jemima. The first one was Nancy Green, a former slave, who originated the role with a headscarf and apron in 1893.
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Harrington died on October 21st, 1955. Evans, her great-grandson, is 66 and a Marine Corps veteran living in North Carolina. “This woman served all those people, and it was after slavery. She worked as Aunt Jemima. That was her job,” Evans says. “How do you think I feel as a Black man sitting here telling you about my family history they’re trying to erase?”
Quaker Oats has confirmed that they will announce a new name for its products later this year.
walter says
The n words feel threatened. What else is new?
Vivian A. Hagstrom says
I think they should keep the name as it is. Mr. Evans makes a valid point about having his family history erased. Aunt Jemima products have been enjoyed for many years by people of all colors. I, for one, never thought about slavery when I saw Aunt Jemima’s lovely smile on the box. They have modernized her through the years, and I think people would miss her. A different name for the company after all these years isn’t really a very good idea.
Cindy Mandel says
Yes I agree it’s so sad & uncalled for! It was a honor for me many others to have Aunt Jemmia products on our table. We love her. Would of been so proud of were able to have her at our table in person cooking pancakes for her. She portraits a loving nurturing woman. We all should keep her packaging to save, in her memory
Kathy says
They should leave it alone the way it is now. We always had that product on our tables and my Mothers table. I’m 66 now and it would be a shame to change it. If they did I just might stop buying it out of protest for her and her family.
Anita Becerra says
Its their new trend of “Do Gooders” for the moment.
Lisa Jenkins says
If it was after slavery then I don’t see a problem.
Steve Lowell says
Nice to know how the Billionaires profiting from ‘racism’, are pushing and allowing Taliban tactics to erase history. And stupid Americans jump right in. Your great grandmother had a job and raised a family. How would any American not be a champion of what she did amongst the obstacles she faced?
Phuq Obama says
The left as usual is unhappy with history as it actually was and wants to erase the facts and replace them with their “sanitized” version of history. This is the same thing all Fascists due. They are afraid of the truth. There was nothing wrong with the original “Aunt Jemima” image. Many women including Whites had the same look back then. The left is truly racist when they refuse to accept the truth of what the past was like.