Quaker Oats, owned by Pepsi, recently announced rebranding their Aunt Jemima products due to some feeling it was a 'mammy' stereotype. Uncle Ben's Rice and Mrs. Butterworth's syrup seem to be in the same cart. That said, do you consider these mascots to be racist or offensive in some way?
I never thought about it but I am white. If people of color who have suffered discrimination are offended then we should respect how they feel. We live in America. We are blessed above all other countries. We should come together for the common good.
I love the old mascots and I have great respect for the remembrance of song and wholesome stereotypes, I have never thought of them as black or negative in any way, I think its sad that we have become so thin skinned and frigile that we are focusing on changing these things instead of just trying to make each other better.
I have always associated AJ as wholesome good food which is what they are trying to project. And what is wrong with that. I also understand those who object to using this symbol. I might not totally agree with them. But then what about every other stereo ethnic character used on a product? Should we get rid of all of them?
Just after this latest "Incident" surfaced , The descendant of the woman who inspired the "Aunt Jemima " character came out against Pepsi's decision to ban it , saying that it nullified & voided her Great Grandmother's(?) legacy . Between this , tearing down statues , Banning certain books & films - it's all been turned into a witch hunt , so much to the point of "Finding" "Racism" even where none exists.