If there’s one syrup I’ve consumed more than any other over the course of my life, it’s Aunt Jemima.
As a kid, I didn’t understand the significance of the product. But now as I’m more mature, educated and more knowledgeable about the subject matter, this brings me joy to see Quaker Oats moving forward with the rebrand of arguable the most well known syrup.
The Aunt Jemima breakfast brand will be renamed Pearl Milling Company, it was announced Tuesday, after the 130-year-old maple syrup mascot was scrutinized last year over its ties to slavery.
Quaker Oats, a division of PepsiCo that owns the brand, unveiled the new name and logo, which it said would hit store shelves in June.
“While the name on the box has changed, the great tasting products – the “pearl” inside the familiar red box – remains the same, with a mission to create joyful breakfast moments for everyone,” the company said on its website.
Last June, Quaker Oats announced Aunt Jemima’s future retirement, saying the character’s origins are “based on a racial stereotype.”
The logo was originally inspired by the 19th century “mammy” minstrel character, a black woman who was content to serve her white masters.
A former slave, Nancy Green, became the first face of the pancake products in 1890.
NYPost.com
Times are changing, and I’m here for the growth of our society. I’m also here for some great tasting syrup on my pancakes!
I agree that they should have changed the mascot and name, but Pearl Milling Company? It sounds like some off brand dollar store syrup. They should have just named it Jemima, or some at least kind of recognizable acronym and gotten rid of the Mami from the label. Idk, my 2 cents, either way I agree with the decision.