Aunt Jemima is a trademark for pancake flour, syrup, and other pancake-related comestibles. The trademark dates to 1893, and has been owned owned by Quaker Oats since 1926.

Aunt Jemima is depicted as a fat, smiling, bright-eyed black American woman, originally wearing a kerchief over her hair. Originally, she was a slave. The trademark has been modified several times over the years. Aunt Jemima is no longer a slave, and her kerchief has been eliminated.

Objections to the depiction of Aunt Jemima date back to the 1920s. Many blacks found Aunt Jemima to be an obvious and insensitive reminder of slavery. An early advertisement, for example, contained the following copy:

On the old plantation, Aunt Jemima refused to reveal to a soul the secret of those light fragrant pancakes which she baked for her master and his guests. Only once, long after her master's death did Aunt Jemima reveal her recipe. It's still a secret.

The phrase "Aunt Jemima" is sometimes used as a female version of Uncle Tom to refer to a black person who is obsequiously servile. See Uncle Tom for more details.

External Link

• Quaker Oats Aunt Jemima brand web site