Blackfaces In the News Here

oldman

oldman

Well-known Member
Location
PA
Recently, here in the county where I reside, a school Principal has come under fire for wearing a blackface as an emcee of a game show. Please read the article and if you like, comment on the topic. In a few days after everyone has had an opportunity to comment, I will add my 2-cents. This topic should make for some good conversation. Thanks.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ring-blackface-during-family-feud-style-game/
 

IMO there is something very wrong with those people and something should be done to sort them out.

If the story was about a group of kids pulling a thoughtless prank I would cut them some slack but these are educated professionals doing this on the school districts dime.

These are the very people that kids should be able to look to for cues on how to conduct themselves as young adults.

Very sad.
 

My opinion:
As a school principal, if this woman didn't know the history of blackface, or for a moment consider that it might be inappropriate or offensive to some, she certainly should have. She states that she's been an educator for over 30 years. So she's in her mid 50s, at least. Old enough to know better.

Part of her job is lead by exhibiting excellent judgment. A public apology and being censured was more than called for in her case. In a more racially diverse area she surely would have been fired.

York County, PA from Wikipedia:
As of the census of 2000, there were 381,751 people, 148,219 households, and 105,531 families residing in the county. The population density was 422 people per square mile (163/km²). There were 156,720 housing units at an average density of 173 per square mile (67/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.76% White, 3.69% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.39% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races.
 
I'm surprised to see that this is a recent occurrence. She certainly should have known better in today's PC environment.

At least they aren't dragging another story from 40 years ago to "expose." Many hateful acts were acceptable years ago that are no longer tolerated, whether homophobic, misogynistic, racial, etc. Frankly I'm tired of dredging up people's youthful indiscretions. Get over it, people.
 
C'est Moi said:
I'm surprised to see that this is a recent occurrence. She certainly should have known better in today's PC environment.

At least they aren't dragging another story from 40 years ago to "expose." Many hateful acts were acceptable years ago that are no longer tolerated, whether homophobic, misogynistic, racial, etc. Frankly I'm tired of dredging up people's youthful indiscretions. Get over it, people.
Click to expand...

I agree, CM.
 
Here is my take on this issue.

I thought about what was the teacher’s intent? Certainly, it wasn’t racially motivated. And, it was not to depict the original blackfaces back in the days of the minstrel shows. However, like it’s already been stated, in today’s PC climate, we all need to be more sensitive and think before we do these types of things and that someone else may be offended.

I know that we all remember when Gene Wilder put on a blackface with shoe polish in the movie, “Silver Bullet,” so that he would appear to be a black man while he was with Richard Pryor. Some even thought it was funny. No big deal, right? But, now it is. What’s the differerence, other than that was then and this is now?
 
I wonder, what if the principal just put on a black wig instead of blackface? Would that have been less offensive? Is there something intrinsically offensive about people imitating other people across racial lines, or is it just
the blackface part of it that is offensive, because of the history of minstrel shows?

Oldman, the movie was Silver Strreak, not Silver Bullet. That was a Steven King horror movie.
 
One thing that has changed, is that minorities are no longer biting their tongues about these things. Perhaps that sometimes appears as though they are over-reacting, but it has been a
long time coming.


 
Aunt Bea said:
IMO there is something very wrong with those people and something should be done to sort them out.
These are the very people that kids should be able to look to for cues on how to conduct themselves as young adults.
Very sad.
Click to expand...

I agree Bea, it is sad. I haven't seen very much blackface and I was born in the early 50s. As little as I've seen on TV or in movies, I always thought it was very odd and racist, certainly was off-putting in my eyes. Racially offensive to be sure. Don't know why she couldn't play the game without the face painting. :rolleyes:
 
oldman said:
Here is my take on this issue.

I thought about what was the teacher’s intent? Certainly, it wasn’t racially motivated. And, it was not to depict the original blackfaces back in the days of the minstrel shows. However, like it’s already been stated, in today’s PC climate, we all need to be more sensitive and think before we do these types of things and that someone else may be offended.

I know that we all remember when Gene Wilder put on a blackface with shoe polish in the movie, “Silver Bullet,” so that he would appear to be a black man while he was with Richard Pryor. Some even thought it was funny. No big deal, right? But, now it is. What’s the differerence, other than that was then and this is now?
Click to expand...


The difference is..........Now days the PC folks out there look for any excuse to to stir the pot. It gives them something to feel all warm&fuzzy about when they speak out against it.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I agree Bea, it is sad. I haven't seen very much blackface and I was born in the early 50s. As little as I've seen on TV or in movies, I always thought it was very odd and racist, certainly was off-putting in my eyes. Racially offensive to be sure. Don't know why she couldn't play the game without the face painting. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That's the point. She could have and should have.
 
IMO this incident goes beyond the behavior of the principal.

It is shocking to me that none of the other participants raised the issue or decided not to participate. I can't help but wonder if it was due to fear of reprisal from the principal or just old fashioned ignorance.

The other day I was listening to a woman speaking about how wrong it is for white people to use blackface but she defended the use of whiteface by black people. The woman's rationale was that blackface has a long and painful history associated with it and the use of whiteface does not. I have to disagree with that. IMO we need to treat all people in the same respectful way that we would like to be treated.
 
In high school, I called out a female teacher for using the term "Japs". I remember the sneer on her face when she used it, looking directly at me. Another JC girl in the class didn't say a word. I was sent to the Principal's office, and got a detention. I can only assume the teacher
was spoken with, but I don't know for certain.

I agree that all people should be treated with the same respect. I can recall with clarity, since
childhood, every instance I experienced racism directed toward me. It's ugly, and cuts deep.

No matter what colour one's skin is .. blackface, whiteface, verbal discrimination - it needs to stop.
 
C'est Moi said:
I'm surprised to see that this is a recent occurrence. She certainly should have known better in today's PC environment.

At least they aren't dragging another story from 40 years ago to "expose." Many hateful acts were acceptable years ago that are no longer tolerated, whether homophobic, misogynistic, racial, etc. Frankly I'm tired of dredging up people's youthful indiscretions. Get over it, people.
Click to expand...
I agree with you!!
 
I thought this letter in today's Washington Post summed it up very well.

In the early 1980s, as a maritime lawyer in Norfolk, I represented vessels that had been arrested by the Coast Guard and charged with safety, pollution or navigational violations. I would board ships, interview the crew, review logs and prepare an investigative report for use as mitigating evidence at a hearing.

When the time came for my first Coast Guard hearing, I did my best to prepare and hide my nervousness. The hearing officer was a brawny, gruff Coast Guard commander who greeted me by saying, “I suppose you’re here to ‘Jew me down’ on my penalties.”

My mind was racing. Should I ignore the offensive statement and focus on representing my client? Should I denounce his anti-Semitic rhetoric? Ultimately, I said exactly what I was thinking, “Commander, I would feel so much more comfortable if you would use the word ‘Jew’ as a noun and not as a verb.” The commander’s face turned dark red. I thought he was angry, but I soon realized that he was actually blushing deeply when he said, “Mr. Sacks, I apologize. That is simply an ignorant phrase I grew up with and which I can assure you I will never use again so long as I am alive.”

I understood his disclaimer, having spent most of my life growing up in the South. How many times had I heard offensive phrases used by my friends without intended malice?
I told him I accepted his apology and his resolution to eliminate that phrase from his vocabulary. “Are you ready to get down to business?” I asked. We shook hands and proceeded with the hearing.

Like the commander, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) grew up in a rural town. Like the commander, he is the product of a culture that has seen enormous progress in racial relations. Like the commander, he has served his community and country. Like the commander, he has apologized profusely and sincerely.

While I would be the last person to defend racial insensitivity of any kind, perhaps it is time to accept his apology and get down to business.
Skip Sacks, Norfolk
 
Pinky said:
In high school, I called out a female teacher for using the term "Japs". I remember the sneer on her face when she used it, looking directly at me. Another JC girl in the class didn't say a word. I was sent to the Principal's office, and got a detention. I can only assume the teacher
was spoken with, but I don't know for certain.

I agree that all people should be treated with the same respect. I can recall with clarity, since
childhood, every instance I experienced racism directed toward me. It's ugly, and cuts deep.

No matter what colour one's skin is .. blackface, whiteface, verbal discrimination - it needs to stop.
Click to expand...

Nobody understands this better than one who has walked a mile in those shoes. I hate that this happened to you, Pinky, and thank you for sharing this painful story.
 
Maybe it's easier for minorities to identify with. In any case, it's not something you ever want your children to experience.
 
I read, online, a few weeks ago, where the movie of Mary Poppins (1964 version) has now come under fire of "blackface". Actually, the "blackface" came from chimney soot, but there are those complaining about how Dick and July looked. It is said that they didn't remove the soot fast enough.
 
rgp said:
The difference is..........Now days the PC folks out there look for any excuse to to stir the pot.
Click to expand...

The way I see it, PC is just a modern term for something I was taught in the '50s by my parents when they were raising me and my siblings.

I was taught to be "PC" by being taught manners and respect for others regardless of race, ethnicity, physical or mental impairment, etc.

So, the lingo may have changed, but the values remain the same, in my opinion.
 
ClassicRockr said:
I read, online, a few weeks ago, where the movie of Mary Poppins (1964 version) has now come under fire of "blackface". Actually, the "blackface" came from chimney soot, but there are those complaining about how Dick and July looked. It is said that they didn't remove the soot fast enough.
Click to expand...

I hadn't heard that and it sounded weird to me so I did a little research. As it turns out, the story is a lot more complicated than it might appear.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/movies/mary-poppins-returns-blackface.html
 
As far as I , personally, am concerned, I am truly unaffected by name-calling. Being a former college baseball and basketball official, I have been called some of the vilest names anyone has ever heard. Even while officiating college basketball games, fans have been unfearful to yell racist names at me and my partner or partners.

My mom taught me the old adage of “Sticks & Stones” well and that I should not become riled when called names. She always believed that it was best to turn the other cheek, but that always wasn’t my policy.

I can still remember seeing Al Jolson on the old movie reels. And yet, he was considered a star.
 

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