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There’s no question that 2020 was a year of reckoning. And that included a broad reappraisal of consumer brands and mascots so outdated and offensive that it’s astonishing they’ve survived as long as they did. Well, they didn’t survive 2020. So good-bye, Aunt Jemima, and so long, Uncle Ben… but you’ve outstayed your welcome. Here are a few of the other problematic consumer characters we lost this year.
Brands & Characters That History Caught Up With in 2020
ceros originals
Story + Design
In Memoriam.
One of the largest military installations in the world, along with nine other American installations named for Confederate soldiers, will be renamed.
1918-2022
Fort Bragg
The ballclub will retire its name and logo after the upcoming season. Cleveland already retired “Chief Wahoo,” its especially offensive caricature logo, in 2018.
1915-2021
Cleveland Indians
The country band formally adopted its nickname, Lady A. It’s now in a dispute over the new name with a Black artist who has used that name for over 20 years.
2006-2020
Lady Antebellum
The organization dropped its highly controversial nickname last year, using the more generic “Washington Football Team” until the final say on a new name and brand comes.
1932-2020
Washington R*******
Mississippi’s flag was long derided for depicting the Confederate battle flag. Its new flag, nicknamed “The New Magnolia,” was adopted in November, pending legislative approval.
1894-2020
Mississippi State Flag
They dropped the “Dixie,” and now they’re just The Chicks. The band members shed part of the name they’ve used since they were teens in the late-1980s.
1989-2020
Dixie Chicks
This New Orleans brewery is changing its name to Faubourg Brewing Company. Faubourg means “suburb” in French, synonymous with “neighborhood” in NOLA.
1907-2020
Dixie Beer
Parent company Dreyer’s stopped production of the dessert last year. It will roll out its renamed “Edy’s Pie” in the coming weeks.
1921-2020
Eskimo Pie
The brand lives on, but its chef character, formerly known as “Rastus” (a pejorative term for an African-American), will no longer appear on boxes.
1893-2020
Cream of Wheat Chef
A full rebrand, including a name change, is expected in 2021, but in the meantime, Aunt Jemima’s has removed the images from its packaging.
1889-2020
Aunt Jemima
Reports of her death might be exaggerated, as parent company Conagra has only announced a “complete brand and packaging review.” But time will tell.
1961-2020
Mrs. Butterworth
The rice brand changed its name to “Ben’s Original” in late September, and its packaging will no longer include an image of Ben.
1946-2020
Uncle Ben
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