Due to the racial discrimination debate in the US, Aunt Jemima (Aunt Jemima) and Uncle Ben's (Uncle Bens) will have to change their name and logo.
The intention to change the image of the brand was announced on June 17 by the company that owns Aunt Jemima PepsiCo. The controversial logo has been used by the company with minor changes for over 130 years. Under it, pancake and syrup mixes, popular in the USA, are produced.
The brand's logo depicts an African-American woman named after a character from music shows popular in the 19th century. This is a typical figure that was often used in popular culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main complaint about this image is that it broadcasts the stereotype of a friendly black woman working as a servant or nanny in a wealthy white family.
As Christine Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of PepsiCo-owned Quaker Foods North America, said, "We understand that Aunt Jemima's origins are based on a racial stereotype." And already in the fourth quarter of 2020, the company will present an updated product that will not contain either the previous name or logo.
Against the background of protests against racism and police brutality in the US, most companies are now expressing their support for the movement and are revising their own policies. With accusations of racism on the rise, many other popular brands that use black people as a symbol are now also considering phasing out such brands.
So, in the near future, owned by the company will most likely disappear from the shelves. Mars rice brand Uncle Ben's, symbolized by a white-haired African American. As well as the trademark Mrs. Butterworth's, using the image of a black good-natured grandmother.
