Is Aunt Jemima Based On A Real Person? The True Story Of Nancy Green The racism they talk about, using images from slavery, that comes from the other side white people. "The racism they talk about, using images from slavery, that comes from the other side white people. In Hawkins, a historical marker dedicated to her commemorates how she made a career during the time when Black women had very few opportunities. Larnell Evans Sr., the great-grandson of a Syracuse woman who played Aunt Jemima for nearly 20 years, tells Patch that he vehemently disagrees with Quaker Oats decision to change the logo and name on its Aunt Jemima products, including pancake mix and syrup. Great-grandson of Aunt Jemima actress angry at her removal - masslive Thanks again, Mr. Evans, very much, and thank you OUTKICK!!! Thanks for contacting us. Quaker Oats announced Wednesday that it would remove the name and image of Aunt Jemima because its origins are based on a racial stereotype. The brand began in the 1890s with a name taken from a vaudeville song and imagery rooted in minstrel shows, including a since removed mammy kerchief that represented black women happily serving white masters. Though her relatives understand the company's decision to rebrand, they are concerned about what it will mean for her legacy. Other brands, including Uncle Bens, Cream of Wheat and Mrs. Butterworths, followed by announcing theyll consider changing their racially charged logos. You probably don't . A Chicago judge eventually threw out the suit after a five-year legal battle, during which Evans and Hunter represented themselves. Larnell Evans Sr., the great-grandson of Anna Short Harrington, said it would be an insult to remove the iconic image to appease an angry mob. Several descendants of women who played "Aunt Jemima" are speaking out against the Quaker Oats food company's decision to rebrand its Aunt Jemima breakfast line. Larnell Evans Sr., 66, calls it an injustice for me and my family that his great-grandmother, Anna Short Harrington, who portrayed Aunt Jemima from 1935 to 1954, is being erased from the brands history. "This is an injustice for me and my family. Evans suggested Quaker Oats and other white corporations that profited off of black characters should pay restitution rather than erase history like it didnt happen., Theyre not going to give us nothing? Great-grandson of Syracuse's Aunt Jemima angry at her removal: 'This is Trump's latest attack addresses DeSantis' overseas trips to the U.K., Israel, Florida's Covid-19 record, and polling support for the 2024 Presidential race. "Nancy Green, (aka Aunt Jemima) was born into slavery. Newsweek reached out to a man who appears to be the Larnell Evans interviewed by Patch directly via social media, but did not receive a response in time for publication. Aunt Jemima originally depicted a jovial black woman wearing kitchen maid attire and a bandanna commonly worn by slaves. What gives them the right?" During the first few decades of the 20th Century, in support of the already-existing brand, there were women hired to represent Aunt Jemima at public events and in marketing materials.. In recent weeks, the 100-year-plus old brand (mostly associated with pancake mix and syrup) has been under fire for being racist following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, which has led to a reckoning about racism in all areas of America. A Black female. And their answer is to erase my great-grandmothers history. Aunt Jemima's great-grandson furious over her removal from - TheGrio This story has been shared 404,748 times. According to Patch, Evans and a nephew previously clashed with Quaker Oats in court, claiming the company used Harringtons pancake recipe. Allison Haganadapted it for the web. Mr. Evans, A photo of Nancy Green is etched into her headstone. Relatives of Lillian Richard and Anna Short Harrington, the two deceased women who were hired by the company to portray the character in the 1920s and 1930s, spoke out this week after PepsiCo's Quaker Oats said the brand's "origins are based on a racial stereotype.". Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Sherry Williams has spent 15 years researching Nancy Green's legacy. She portrayed the character of Aunt Jemima from 1935 to 1954. Feb. 9, 2021, 4:35 PM PST. Thank you for speaking out about this. Anna Harrington appears as "Aunt Jemima" at the Post-Standard Home show in 1954. The original "Aunt Jemima" was a formerly enslaved woman named Nancy Green, who worked as a cook. Fact check: Aunt Jemima model Nancy Green didn't create the brand The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. But one singer named KIRBY shared a video on how to not make a racist breakfast in which she specifically spoke about Aunt Jemima and the history behind it.