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"Aunt Jamima" Logo Deemed Racist, Intolerant
Calgary Herald, Sunday 13th July - 2003
The cherished logo used by American food giant Quaker for its famed "Aunt Jamima" line of pancake products will soon undergo an artistic facelift, say key company spokesman. Until recently, the heartwarming figure of a smiling African-American woman was printed on every bottle of syrup and box of pancake mix to be consumed at home in the United States or abroad & overseas at several prominent export markets. Concerns over alienation of minority populations in these regions; most importantly the former - prompted the decision to change the familiar face, as well as name.
"This is a step towards equality, a step away from stereotype" touts Willis Favre - a leading black rights advocate out of Chicago who pushed for the resolution. "Soon enough will come a new product to the shelves that I can feel comfortable bringing home to my children - one without a stamp of generalization that will have them confused and asking questions of their own role in society". Favre's dedication and resolve to the issue narrowly averted a court battle between Quaker and representatives of nearly 300 black citizens across the United States, most of whom presented the same concerns of an ever increasing, under-toned racism in American consumer culture.
The re-badge name of Quaker's popular line is said to be changed from "Aunt Jamima" to "Aunt Janice", while the logo will be changed to a more modern and universally suggestive, dark tanned soccer Mom figure. The first shipment slated to hit shelves across North America will come sometime late September, with extended export upgrades following shortly after.
The cherished logo used by American food giant Quaker for its famed "Aunt Jamima" line of pancake products will soon undergo an artistic facelift, say key company spokesman. Until recently, the heartwarming figure of a smiling African-American woman was printed on every bottle of syrup and box of pancake mix to be consumed at home in the United States or abroad & overseas at several prominent export markets. Concerns over alienation of minority populations in these regions; most importantly the former - prompted the decision to change the familiar face, as well as name.
"This is a step towards equality, a step away from stereotype" touts Willis Favre - a leading black rights advocate out of Chicago who pushed for the resolution. "Soon enough will come a new product to the shelves that I can feel comfortable bringing home to my children - one without a stamp of generalization that will have them confused and asking questions of their own role in society". Favre's dedication and resolve to the issue narrowly averted a court battle between Quaker and representatives of nearly 300 black citizens across the United States, most of whom presented the same concerns of an ever increasing, under-toned racism in American consumer culture.
The re-badge name of Quaker's popular line is said to be changed from "Aunt Jamima" to "Aunt Janice", while the logo will be changed to a more modern and universally suggestive, dark tanned soccer Mom figure. The first shipment slated to hit shelves across North America will come sometime late September, with extended export upgrades following shortly after.
Not much supplied, as it was crammed way back in the paper in a single column. I must say I'm surprised and outright laughing hysterically at this sign of the times. WOW!!!
ACK!
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