“Aunt Jemima” Spice Shaker

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Description:

1950s hard plastic spice shaker in the form of “Aunt Jemima.” It is unclear whether this object is meant for salt or pepper since its pair from the set is missing. This figure wears the stereotypical “Aunt Jemima” outfit of a red dress, white apron, and red headwrap.

Product Origin:

The U.S.A.

Background:

This piece depicts the stereotypical “Aunt Jemima” figure.

To learn more about this caricature, read "The Mammy Caricature", "Overlooked No More: Nancy Green, the ‘Real Aunt Jemima’", and "Aunt Jemima and the long-overdue rebrand of racist stereotypes."

Statement: We understand these objects may inflict offense through their embodiment of racist ideology by depicting stereotypical and discriminatory imagery and language. However, we hope to educate our community and encourage personal reflection through interacting and understanding the historical context of these objects, rather than ignoring them.