What Took You So Long?

In this month’s episode, we’re looking at how companies FINALLY addressed racist imagery in their products following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. We look at brands like Uncle Ben’s, Land-O-Lakes, and the infamous Washington Redskins to discuss why this pervasive imagery could be more harmful than you think. Later, we break down dozens of Aunt Jemima commercials throughout the decades in order to turn the brand’s unsavory slogan, “What took you so long?” into a personal challenge. Why the hell did it take decades before the scarf-wearing Mammy figure and her racist origins were addressed? How did they try to rebrand Aunt Jemima over time without actually addressing the issue? And was their eventual rebranding enough?

15 racist brands, mascots, and logos that were considered just another part of American life
https://www.businessinsider.com/15-racist-brand-mascots-and-logos-2014-6#uncle-ben-1946-present-2

Cream of Wheat to Drop Black Chef From Packaging, Company Says
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/27/business/cream-of-wheat-man.html

Opinion | My Native American father drew the Land O’Lakes maiden. She was never a stereotype.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/29/my-ojibwe-father-drew-land-olakes-maiden-she-was-never-stereotype/

R. T. Davis Exhibit — chicagology
https://chicagology.com/columbiaexpo/fair038/

Aunt Jemima Will Change Name, Image As Brands Confront Racial Stereotypes
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/17/879104818/acknowledging-racial-stereotype-aunt-jemima-will-change-brand-name-and-image

Food Brands Are Finally Changing Their Racist Mascots—But Is It Enough?
https://www.delish.com/food/a33313212/food-brands-racist-mascots-logos/

Revisiting Aunt Jemima: 'Slave in a Box'
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6709995

Every Aunt Jemima's TV Commercials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLPdkW5EcRc