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RIP Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben
It is with great sadness that we come together today to mourn the deaths of Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben. Born in 1889, Aunt Jemima spent her life providing delicious breakfasts for everyone she came into contact with. Since his birth in the late 1940s, Uncle Ben did the same for lunch and dinner. Sadly, their lives have come to end this year in an effort to make amends for their racist pasts. Meals will never be the same.
In related news, Mrs. Butterworth is reported to be on life support. Only 59 years old, she may not be long for this world either. (Old commercials available for viewing under the “About Us” tab at the first link.)
On a more serious note, how in the world is removing well-known African American icons/logos from the public sphere supposed to make anything more equal for the African-American community? Doesn’t removing them just make the field that more unbalanced for them? It’s like the looting and rioting that’s been taking place recently. Things aren’t fair for African Americans! What can we do about it? Destroy the communities in which many of them live and do business! Yeah!
Published in General
They will find some excuse to cancel her.
I think James Lileks mentioned something about that a few posts ago. I wasn’t aware that the name Jemima carried any connotations with it. I guess I feel about that the same way I feel about Christians who believe it’s wrong to have a Christmas tree in your house because its origins are pagan in nature: Meanings change over time. Just because it meant one thing to people at one point in history doesn’t mean it means the same thing to people now.
So I guess the question for me becomes: Does the name Aunt Jemima hold the same connotations for African Americans now as it did then? I know that “Uncle Tom” does – or it did when I was growing up, I think. But I don’t know about “Aunt Jemima”. I only ever remember hearing that name/phrase in connnection with pancakes.
I could be wrong about this but I think it is mainly White Leftists who cringe at the name “Aunt Jemima,” not the average Black person. They think that it must be racist because it sounds like one of those invented Black names. I know that doesn’t make a whole lotta sense, but neither does much leftist thought.
The name “Jemima” may not have as much of a problem as the use of “Aunt” and “Uncle” which was one of the things @jameslileks mentioned because in the past they were used instead of “Mister” or “Missus (sp?)” when addressing black people in order to avoid putting them on an equal footing.
Ah! That’s what Mr. Lileks talked about. OK. But that doesn’t change my question. I would still say: Word usages change over time. Just because the words were used one way at one point in history doesn’t mean they’re used the same way now. So are they used the same way now? My (granted, limited) experience has been that they aren’t. Instead the words are used with a someone-who-is-much-loved, an almost familial connotation. Which means that “Aunt Jemima” and “Uncle Ben” would be seen as beloved family members of sorts – not black people we didn’t want to see as equals.
Of course, the left uses whatever definition suits their current agenda.
Now, they’re changing Eskimo Pies. For my money, the FINEST Eskimo cuisine available.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/06/20/eskimo-pie-ice-cream-to-change-derogatory-name/
It’s like the old joke about baby oil.
If peanut butter pies are made from peanut butter…
and apple pies are made from apples…
and peach pies are made from peaches…
what are Eskimo pies made from???
So now some company owner thinks the word “Eskimo” is derogatory. We’re Doomed!
Actually, haven’t some people been claiming that for like a few decades, or longer?
This will eventually lead to a name change for this Stillwater, OK hamburger joint, which does tons of business selling t-shirts. No fun allowed!
https://eskimojoes.com
I think I’ve heard that claim before. I’m not sure I’ve heard an explanation of why it’s supposedly derogatory though.
As I recall, the “Eskimos” themselves don’t mind, it’s just their lefty “friends” who insist on “protecting” them. That sounds familiar…
I agree with you and I think that is one important point that needs to be made.
But right now we are experiencing such a total disconnect between the reality that is, and the pseudo reality the lamestream media is continually concocting.
After all, from May 31st to June 10th, the nation witnessed gangs of rioters looting, burning and terrorizing people in inner city neighborhoods and major parts of shopping districts in cities across the nation.
So what is the media focusing on right now? Are we seeing reporters asking the people who were forced to deal with the rioters how they are doing? Or asking them what help they may need as they attempt to re-build their shattered lives and neighborhoods?
Of course not, as apparently the far greater injury is the “inherent pejorative way whites use language to diminish people of color,” by referring to them as “Aunt” and “Uncle,” when those people to whom they assign such titles to are not of their family.
I mean, who cares about the lasting damage done by poorer blacks in their recent actions of destruction, when we can all focus once again on the absolute destructiveness of the racism of white people, and others, who for generations have cheerfully been buying products with African American icons on the packaging?
They could call them Inuit Pies.
But then I would wonder who what the you they put in it.
Maybe there will be a market for Barack Obama Pancake Syrup and Michelle Obama Pancake Mix. Nobody is going to dare changing that.
Uncle Obama’s Rice? It’s probably all mush. LOL.
Or Uncle Barry.
Sooner or later “Inuit Pies” would become a derogatory term.
The terms describing ethnic minorities are a moving target. For instance: Negro/ Colored Person/ Black/ African American/ Person of Color.
There is a great old George Carlin routine where he tracks the evolution of politically correct terms over the years.
It was good until he got to blaming white people, jews, and israel. The people actually responsible are liberals. Conservatives don’t tend to believe in inventing new words for no good reason.
I’m reminded of this, which I’ve used in various places in the past.
This is from the Wikipedia article on “mental retardation” (the footnotes are from the wiki): (at least it used to say this, but it might have been memory-holed by now)
Nailed it.
Oh, what the heck:
is this a stereotypical?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtjro7_R3-4
Emory & Henry College in Virginia has announced to students the school will re-examine its wasp mascot (i.e., a bug)
Not exactly inanimate, but it’s a bug! I’m glad it would be cultural appropriation for me to get involved in these squabbles. Just stop the government student loan programs. They are turning out imbeciles. Taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth.
Those sound like real winners to me!
It should be more descriptive of the student body.
This year’s Rose Bowl shall be between the Snowflakes and the Paint Chip Eaters.