Before I begin, let me say that I had no idea that yesterday post would be such an emotive issue. Indeed, I am aware that representations of Blackamoor’s in all sorts of mediums (including the famous Golly in the Noddy books), have caused much controversy. However, in the context of a vintage collecting blog my thinking is that the beauty of my piece would be appreciated in the same way as if he had appeared on Antiques Roadshow or The Collectors. It seems this is not the case, and hence I’m now having to defend both myself and my beautiful man.
I’ll say this first, as one reader pointed out, it would have been wise to put some sort of disclaimer at the beginning of the post explaining my intentions, I have now done this. However I assumed (that was my first mistake, never assume anything) that my readers know me and as such would have a very good idea of the context and intent of the post. When it comes right down to it, offence is all about context and intent.
I’ll get right to the meat of it. Yes indeed, there are many representations from history that we find offensive, hurtful, racist and sexist. When we consider their original intent, to mock, belittle or devalue individuals; they are indeed hurtful. But it isn’t their meer existence that causes the problem, it is the intent they are imbued with. And this is why I have no problem having a piece like this in my home; because not only is he highly collectible but I think he is beautiful.
The question that remains under debate is whether having a piece like this (an indeed another reader said that the cartoons in last weeks Raffles post were equally insensitive), glorifies harmful stereotypes and by extension makes me a racist? This is a question one can only answer for themselves, as I believe the answer to this lies as I’ve said, in both intent and context.
To give an example of something else I believe is beautiful but has also unintentionally caused offence and hurt stemming from a similar historical context is this. Once, when all dressed up in my 1940′s outfit, hair done and ready to hit the dance floor; I was told in no uncertain terms just how insensitive this was. The venue for the dance was my local RSL Club (this is Returned Service Man’s League Club for those of you overseas), and the problem was that by dressing in war era style at a venue where many elderly soldiers went socially, it caused great distress by bringing back memories of the war.
Now where I had only seen beauty and romance (even though fully aware of the historical implications of the period as I am with the Blackamoor), my intent was not to cause distress. My context however, was poorly chosen and so I no longer break out those outfits at venues like that unless specifically requested to.
So I come back to my original point, that of intent and context. This blog is my life, my home and my space. It is one that I choose to invite you all into to share a piece of and over time I feel I’ve gotten to know many of you. And this is why I would share a find like this. Because in the context of both the vintage and collectable subject matter of the blog and my intent in appreciating his beauty, I feel he can still be appreciated (albeit with understanding of his origins) and loved.
The irony in all this talk of giving offence and being offensive, is that through some readers conviction of their viewpoint, they have taken the path of calling my own moral character into question, name calling and frankly causing me more hurt and offence than it is likely the image of the barman caused them.
I realise that you can’t please all of the people all of the time, but neither is my intent to stir up trouble. I know that just about everything I post on a daily basis could cause hurt or offence to someone of another culture, but I rely on the honesty of my intent and the vintage context of this space to give it relevance.
Just as posting images of Gil Elvgren’s pinup work are not intended to glorify the objectification of women, neither is posting the pictures (or simply having in my home) the beautiful Blackamoor barman intended to condone racist attitudes.
So no, I don’t “Think this shit is funny” as one reader accused me of (I have no idea how they came to that conclusion); and I will continue to collect and appreciate works like this. And yes, I will keep him on display on my bar no matter who was to come over for cocktails, as by very virtue of his existence he has now become a symbol of a time passed and a conversation piece in which we can celebrate that passing.
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WONDERFULLY written, SKM. You’ve hit the nail on the head, and explained yourself (though there was no need to), superbly. Your strength and amazing articulation on this matter has left me in awe!
Intent is usually what makes context harmful or not, offensive or not, however you’ll also find that peoples’ pre-existing notions and self-experience can render them sensitive or vulnerable to connotations that weren’t even there in intention OR context.
You are right, historical relics, preserved, are a reminder of what times and associated beliefs have passed (positive or negative), and surely we can use them as celebrations of how humanity has shifted, modernised, and become educated.
Bravo, and stay strong.
I found the original post and the item displayed with pride – offensive. I was unsettled to find that sort of thing on this blog, having been a loyal reader for years. I have to admit, this tops Galliano’s recent stunt. At least he was drunk.
And I didn’t enjoy having to explain what the item was to a small child peering over my shoulder, who asked what it was, and I couldn’t explain that at all properly either. He did say it looked like a relative of ours, and I told him that wasn’t very kind and asked him to look closer at our relative and tell me if it really did look like him. Which it doesn’t. It looks like someone has ridiculed a black man, is all. I’m all for calling a spade a spade, but we can’t gussy up this sort of thing and make a silk purse out of a swine’s ear. It’s not at all beautiful in any way.
What can I say? Just because it’s vintage doesn’t mean it’s alright. I certainly wouldn’t laud it on a blog, this sort of thing needs to be consigned to the past, put in a dark drawer, or yes, tossed in the trash.
Like fur I suppose this is a case of ‘each to their own’. It would be misleading to take the original post down. It is a matter of taste after all.
P.s: in my explanation to the small child I included the phrase “from a time when people did not know better.” Is that time really over? Not chez SKM. Deeply disappointed and hoped for a less defensive follow up post.
I agree with this comment.
I thought this was an entirely appropriate response- good on you! I didnt personally find anything offensive, but I guess in this world you have to be careful, I just wish people would take things with a pinch of salt!
I hope you arent’ detracted from blogging because of this- I only admire your lifestyle, and take little bits of it- such as a red lip, into my everyday life here in England, but it’s always fun to stop by
I’m disappointed that there would be such a backlash over this.
Even though the Blackamoor item may harbor some racist connotations, you’d think regular readers would understand, in the context of your blog, that racism was in no way your intent. Obviously that wasn’t the case.
This is like that one scene in “Ghost World” where the character Seymour’s love and fascination for War-era antique pop art gets him fired.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_h4tgHbUho
Seems like we just can’t enjoy anything without having some people shove their P.C. agenda down our throats.
:/
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Hi SKM,
Just wanted to say that you wrote a wonderful defense to the comments that came in. Also, I want to commend you for not giving in to misguided criticism and removing the post. I wish more people would stand up for their decisions
Thanks!
I do understand where you are coming from however the reality is that it IS offensive regardless of the era, how ‘collectable’ it is or how much you ‘love your little man’. Being a black woman myself I find this patronising and obnoxious. And you say how we can use these ‘relics’ as celebrations of how humanity has shifted, and become educated, well Super Kawaii Mama you would be surprised how many people haven’t, ‘shifted’, ‘modernised’ their ideologies in relation to black or Indigenous people in this country or been educated on that.
Whilst I’m not saying you are racist, and what you have in your own home is your business and obviously you have the conscious and awareness that the object has a heavy historical and social link it is disappointing that you still feel its ok to keep the post up after offending so many of your readers.
Disappointing.
Emily, I respect your right to your opinion and in no way am I trying to tell you that you are wrong. Your opinion is simply that – your opinion – and my opinion is mine but I have to disagree with you.
You state that “the reality is that it IS offensive” however I have to disagree as the post in no way offended me. Just as SKM was posting from her view point and in a totally collectables context, you are simply posting your views. The great thing about the world we live in today is that we are able to share our views, even if not everyone agrees with them.
There are far more offensive things out there that come from ignorant people with malicious intent and the fact that SKM took the time to write a considered response sensitive to the concerns that some of her readers expressed is testament to her character and the fact that no harm was meant from her post.
Her decision to leave the post up, I think, is the right one. Just as I would not ask you to remove your comment because I don’t agree with it, SKM should not remove her original post because some people are opposed to it. We are all now aware of what the post contains, therefore if it offends you I suggest you don’t look at it again, just as you would change the channel if something offensive to you was on tv (I tend to do this when music shows play songs of black rappers using the deplorable N-word, something I just don’t understand and find offensive myself even though I am white).
For a post that came out of love for her collectables and wanting to share that love with all her readers who obviously read because they are interested I think the way some people became nasty only serves to demonstrate how ignorant they really are (and in my opinion only served to weaken their argument).
In this case I think it is appropriate to agree to disagree and treat everyone with respect, as SKM has done in her post.
I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to school someone else in what is definitively ‘offensive’ or ‘not offensive’, especially a self-identified black woman who was stating her opinion on an issue directly affecting her. Please google ‘white-splaining’.
(Yes, I am assuming you’re white. If you’re not I apologise for my assumption, but my statement still stands).
Ignore the last sentence – I’ve just noticed you say you’re white.
Then you should have also noticed Taryn that I CLEARLY STATE I am not telling Emily she is wrong, nor am I saying I am right I am merely stating that she can no more decide that the post was definitvely ‘offensive’ as I can ‘non-offensive’ it is merely an opinion.
But that is not your call to make. You said:
“You state that “the reality is that it IS offensive” however I have to disagree as the post in no way offended me.”
You are saying your experience of not being offended by this figurine (as a white woman) is as valid or more so than her experience as a black woman of being offended by the figurine. It’s not, and you’re expressing your ‘white privilege’ in doing so.
Another example of privilege: have a look at this article:
http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/local/news/shock-at-nazi-slogan/3943130/
These people are telling me that their opinion on the issue (that the words are no longer offensive) is equivalent to my opinion on the issue (I am Jewish and lost family in the war). In this issue they do not have the right to override my opinion, just as you don’t have the right to override Emily’s opinion by replying to her post in which she says she is offended with “I have to disagree as the post in no way offended me”.
She is not at all saying her experience overrides that of the Emily’s. She is saying that it cannot be said definitively that the article IS offensive, as objectively it differs from person to person. The fact that they both have different responses to the collectible validates that point.
Had she said that Emily shouldn’t be offended, then you would be right. But she doesn’t, merely points out that responses to the object (as with much art) will differ with the person.
That’s still not her call to make in this context.
Taryn are you therefore saying that Sheri is not entitled to have or express any opinion on the matter?
I have to ‘like’ Jayne’s comment. Besides, have you all wondered why a Blackamoor barman was ever created if it meant to have tedious discussions like being racist or being offensive at all? Some indigenous people have to make some items related to their culture and sell it to people just make money and at the same time make their culture known and be appreciated by other people. Just my 2 cents. SKM is indeniably became one of those people who adored these artifacts thus sharing it to us.
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I’m saying that while someone *may* hold opinions on things, they are not necessarily entitled to express that opinion simply because it is theirs and they have it, and certainly not in the context of explaining to someone directly affected by the subject of the opinion why *their* opinion is wrong.
You’ve actually just said a person is “not necessarily entitled to express that opinion”. Um, freedom of speech? Ring any bells?
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I repeat: NOT when her opinion is silencing someone else. THAT is privilege. A good friend has actually written a blog on this exact topic
http://octavias-spitfire-emporium.blogspot.com/2011/03/ideal-of-free-speech-reality-or.html
(To SKM – I’m not trying to promote her blog in a thread on your blog, I’m just linking to a relevant post, I hope that’s ok).
I find your post very well written and I hope you don’t choose to remove the ‘offending’ post. As you and others have said, it is very hard to draw a line with such things and no matter what, someone will always be offended. You can’t please everyone unfortunately!
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Emily, I sometimes think certain groups reinforce their victimhood by constantly finding offence and negativity in seemingly innocuous things.I am of Irish heritage and own a Leprachaun sugar bowl set.Now the Irish have a strong history of being enslaved, starved, subjugated and ridiculed.Does this Sugar set offend me ? No ? If it did i would feel Im playing into the hands of the very people who ridicule us, best to embrace my heritage and toughen up.You have to move on at some point.Black slavery ended in the U.S well over one hundred years ago now.I think , for whatever reasons, minority, dark skinned groups are always encouraged to be offended and upset and I think this leaves them weakened.Stop playing into it, we did and we are far better for it.
With all due respect Glenda, I don’t believe the Irish are subjugated in society to same extent that visible minorities still are. Do you realise that only 60 years ago we still had segregated classrooms and water fountains? It doesn’t matter that slavery was abolished over a 100 years ago. Please don’t speak for us minorities and please don’t advise that we should get over it. Those who ignore the past are condemned to repeat it.
To be honest, I’m not offended by the bar set. I’m a visible minority. I understand that these things are kitschy and if someone wants to collect them, so be it. I appreciate your explanation SKM, and believe you me, I will continue to read your blog. Standing by one’s convictions is an admirable trait.
I don’t want you to get all hot under the collar, but we grew up as kids saying Irish jokes. That was 10 years ago.
The irish may not have been officially segregated in class rooms, but they have had to deal with a lot of ridicule.
But please let’s play the ‘I had a harder life game’.
its your website and your home. You can put up/out what ever you want up on it and in it. If someone does’nt like it or gets offended… THEY SHOULD STOP READING IT! How old are you people??? Its your choice to continue on with something you may or may not find offensive I am of ethnic decent and everytime I see a mariachi band or paper flowers I know I wont freak out. If I dont like I simply move on not pitch a fit and make all around me know I am offended. Get over yourselves people…you’re just not that important.
I don’t really think your post was really that offensive. The Blackamoor is really gorgeous and I might have the same urge to put it to something useful in my house. I don’t know about you (SKM) but I want everything I love to be remembered or used. Everything for display is nothing but for display; once you take a look at it, you will never look at it ever again. History has nothing to do with it.
I don’t think I could add to Sherri Bomb’s comment any better than she summed it up herself. But I’ll try to!
Far from causing me personal offence, I understand and respect the right of someone else to be offended, and to express that in a clear and non-argumentative way. I don’t think, when it is obvious to anyone that Candice meant no ill will or racist overtones, it simply harks back to an era we all know (and loves that she shares) is her life. Holding someone else personal responsible for your own opinion is never going to end well – human nature, being what it is, will find good and bad in all things.
Should we hate the small-mindedness of an era past? I obviously didn’t experience it first hand so I don’t feel it is proper to judge, however – I do empathise with anyone would has dealt with any form of inequality.
Should we pretend those trinkets didn’t exist? Shove them under our conscious’ rug and forget about them, like they are terrible reminders of great wrongs? Or should we repurpose them as objects of joy, a gentle reminder that all men are equal? I know which I would pick. There’s already too much hate in the world, I’d rather choose to see things from a different angle.
Did you know, the swastika has a 3000 year old history of being a symbol of good luck and protection? That’s why the nazi’s used it. Now, on a global scale, it is seen is as evil as the party who claimed it, yet beforehand it wasn’t. Context matters – and Candice wasn’t out to hurt or offend anyone. Please remember that, even if you are offended by the barman and what it represents to you, don’t confuse that with Candice offending you. I agree the post shouldn’t be taken down. If we all submitted to someone else’s personal opinion, no one would have any of their own.
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Regarding your explanation SKM – well said!
SKM, I am not surprised by your well-thought out and dignified response to the whole issue because as myself and your other long-time readers know, you are a person whose class and good taste is always apparent. I am surprised at the reaction of some people to your purchase and while I do sympathize with people who feel offended and marginalized by historical representations of things like Blackamoors or pin ups, I think it is very unfair to demonize you for wanting to collect objects you consider to be merely relics of the past and display them privately in your own home.
Maybe you should have had that disclaimer, but even then, you pointed out that this is your blog and if people feel uncomfortable, they should treat that as the impetus to stop reading. I’ve been made uncomfortable by the content on other blogs before, such as naive people suggesting that herbal remedies could ‘cure’ eating disorders like anorexia or just pure hate and ignorance, but I’ve always taken the approach that if I don’t like it I don’t have to read it. Re-visiting things that upset you on the internet only drives up view counts and can increase advertising revenue, after all.
I know that people form emotional connections to bloggers they follow over time even if there’s never a face-to-face meeting, but I implore people to be civil if they feel the need to express displeasure to a blogger over their posts. Maybe you don’t agree with SKM, but she is just one woman with an opinion. If you feel a strong need to be heard on this topic, start your own blog!
Kim, in Western societies we are all subject to all the same opportunities as each other.It is a matter of wether people want to embrace them or sit angrily in bitter resentment about what Grandad went through.You do realise even non minorities were stolen from their Mothers and mistreated until very recently too.There is nothing unique in what any group has gone through, man has treated man terribly and noone has a monopoly on that.
Glenda, you’re significantly trivialising the experience of minorities. If you have ever been truly discriminated against, you wouldn’t be so flippant in your homogenisation of history. Understand that us minorities don’t have a desire to revel in our resentment. We simply don’t want our experience undermined.
Some would argue you are trivialising the experiences on non minorities.Hurt is hurt. At least the hurt minorities go through is accepted, apologised for, taught at schools and acknowledged.The hurt many non minorities have gone through is reduced in importance or ignored. Maybe you are ignorant of the horrors non minorities have been through(though the non minorities were often the minorities in those situations).I think too much weight is being put into a vintage bar tool set, seriously! I think some of the hand wringing has been very self indulgent, for example, the comment “I spose you wouldn’t have a black person over anyway” which is quite sickening in it’s patronising over indulgence and actually insults black people. It reminds me of the movie “Guess who is coming for dinner” and one of the characters exclaims “oh yes, I had a black man over to myyy house for dinner” *cringe*
I’m actually half Dutch and half West Indian. Moreover, my mother is disabled and she raised me and my sibling single handed. I know of the hurt non-minorities have gone through as I’ve seen it first hand.
If you read my previous comment, I didn’t have an issue with the bar set, just your comment on how minorities had to toughen up.
Never write a comment when you’re on your way out the door to work. I meant to write that my mother is Dutch and disabled.
I do understand where you’re coming from Glenda and some of your points do have validity. My comment wasn’t meant to provoke or be condescending. I suggest letting bygones be bygones. This probably isn’t the proper forum for two people who have never met to be arguing over semantics.
Totally agree, SKM
Thank you for eloquently stating your stance!
Oh my! I have just caught up with your blog and am gobsmacked at what has occurred in your lovely neck of the woods.
Your little man is gorgeous – black, white, blue or red. I find him to be a gorgeous piece of kitsch kitchenalia, nothing more and nothing less. What people read into him comes from their own value set. My values don’t find racism in objects – I still love golliwogs, my black lady lamps and my old fabrics that have mammies all over them.
I am so glad he is going to stand proudly in your home – his cuteness deserves to be admired by newer generations who like a cocktail or two…
Keep your chin up…
xNess
My two cents…
I really enjoyed your find of some lovely treasures, and I like to think that I took it for exactly what it was – a post on YOUR blog about things YOU love.
I don’t think it was offensive at all, far from it actually! Informative, interesting, entertaining – just a few adjectives that come to mind to describe your post and blog in general!
Keep on writing just as you have, for all this time (I’m a long time reader, only rarely a commenter) and you will retain your readers.
Come to think of it, you will probably gain more site hits from all this hoo ha!
xo
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SKM – no worries. It’s a shame that this sparked such a storm – anyone who knows you personally or through your website and other posts understands that you meant no ill. Your response was sensitive and well done.
Long-time reader, first time commenter.
I would have been really interested in a post on the figurine, its history, and whether or not it has a place in a collection of retro kitch items. I think the issue has largely stemmed from the ‘isn’t he adorable!’ tone of your post, which I found jarring when I first read it and I dont think was appropriate. On the other hand the resulting debate, while understandably upsetting for you, has been really interesting, and certainly no reason to a) attack you personally or b) stop reading. I’m looking forward to future posts from you
(And if you are interested in back-tracking a little and writing that post about the figurine’s history and appropriateness I’d still be interested!)
I have to second this – I would have enjoyed reading about this piece with some background beforehand to A. prepare me for what I was about to see to avoid the knee jerk “OMG OFFENSIVE” reaction, B. appreciate exactly what you found beautiful and adorable about an image others have a VERY different reaction to, and C. understand the place this piece has in your life as a collector.
When you’re talking about such a significant piece of history I think it deserves that sort of background. It is not at all in the same “home decor” category as lustreware or flamingos. The fact that the backlash was unanticipated speaks to SKMs cultural background and resulting ignorance. Unfortunately ignorance is not pretty, but it is often hidden, and so seeing it out in the open is likely to provoke a disproportionately strong reaction.
There are things I am ignorant about (geography for one) and it doesn’t make me a bad person, or a person who doesn’t care about the Middle East because I can’t diagram a map of those countries. But it does make me ignorant and I’m sure my inability to point out Lebanon on a map would probably offend some people. Thems the breaks.
This is one of the most insightful comments I’ve seen on here.
Something else I noticed was that in the backlash-against-the-backlash there was more overt racist comment (about assuming some comments were by Americans because they were stupid and unable to write- I’m NOT American btw, just noticed it) – that to me was more galling than comments made in unawareness/meant innocently on the blog.
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Here’s the thing. You bought it, it’s your house, you can display it. You posted a picture of it online and well, what happened has happened. That’s just the result of being online for better or for worse.
What I do want to say to the women who aren’t of colour – it’s called privilege. Look it up.
“What I do want to say to the women who aren’t of colour – it’s called privilege. Look it up.”
Thank you – the unchecked privilege and white-splaining in the comments is rather rampant.
what “privilege” ? Just curious.
‘White privilege’ – in this case, the assumption that because you (editorial you, not you specifically!), as a white woman, are not offended by the figurine then it is not offensive, and the accompanying belief that your opinion of the offensiveness of the figurine is as valid as the opinion of someone who is directly affected (ie a black person). I explained it a bit more in my latest comment to Sheri Bomb above. Just because a white person doesn’t find it offensive doesn’t mean that person gets to say ‘it’s not offensive’.
Fair point, ok, Thankyou.
You explained much better than I could, so thank you.
Thank you for posting this.
I just dont see beauty. I see an ugly mockery of black people, and a reminder of the terrible terrible things that happened in living memory, when these things were acceptable.
In the same vein I wouldnt display nazi memorabilia. Its ugly. Some people will no doubt take great offence that I see the two things in the same light – and that just speaks to their ignorance of historic events.
I appreciate your efforts to articulate so clearly your views, but I am removing your site from my reader. Not, actually, because of the original post, which is probably just a reflection of your background and life experiences. But I am removing it because when the issue was raised, you have defended your ignorance.
Perhaps you dont care that readers will switch off. But I care.
Gina
Gina, I think you’ll find that alot of Australians are ignorant about the mistreatment of African Americans, Native Americans and even Aboriginals. Before the advent of the Internet, unless it was taught in history class, most people just didn’t know what was going on, and many don’t to this day.
Whilst there are still lines being drawn in the sand about what is appropriate and what isn’t , someone is always going to end up being offended.
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Hmmmm….from a very well educated person and a worldly person at that…I see a bar piece. Do you see a bar piece or do you see a servant? I don’t think of African American, Native American, Aborigines or any other native peoples from around this great world…I simply see an old bar piece. Sorry if I seem naive…but I am neither ignorant or racist. I am just merely someone who loves vintage.
I am finding it really disappointing seeing all the white commenters in here assuming that just because they don’t think the statue is offensive, that people of colour should just ‘get over it’. If somebody tells you that you are stepping on their foot, I would hope that your first reaction would be to lift your foot, not defend your right to stand there and tell them that if it is hurting them then they should move…
I’m also disappointed that some commenters, in attempting to express their feelings would personally insult you. However that does not change the fact that unless you are a person of colour, you probably are not able to adequately judge whether a caricature such as that would be offensive. I’ve been trying to be more aware of ‘white privilege’ myself – you could take this as a learning opportunity if you stopped being so defensive.
I’m feeling really uncomfortable with the fact that there wasn’t a single apology here to any people of colour who read your post and were offended (despite the fact that several black people read your post and commented on being finding it racist) – just a defense of your ‘beautiful man’. I’m not sure if I want to keep reading your blog anymore, in all honesty. Probably doesn’t mean that much to you, but I have been pretty disappointed by your handling of this situation.
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Hi,
While I do understand your motivation in buying this, and respect your decision to keep up the image, I personally was mortified to have recommended your blog to a few friends who don’t know your blog and haven’t read your previous posts. This was the first post they saw from you and were horrified. When I clicked over to see why, I also was shocked, I have to say. I love your blog, but I personally can’t post links to it or recommend it until enough time passes that it’s buried in the archives, and that’s a shame.
Another long time reader, first time commenter here,
I think there’s enough heated exchange of personal opinions on here, so without adding any fuel to fire, just wanted to say hang in there SKM! Overall you have a fabulous blog which never ceases to be a highlight in my day
xx
Sigh. I’m white, and I do find the statue offensive. It’s a really unkind caricature of a black person. It’s just unkind. And people are hurt. I mean they are saying they are hurt and they are hurt. It’s hurtful. I want this object to just be a piece of kitsch, for all those times to never have happened but they did, and for it not to be able to hurt people but it does. As much as I hate that I can’t speak for other people, to think you can know how other people feel, you just can’t with these issues. Just like men can’t speak for women. I hate all of this so much. I hate that I hear chinese people on my public transport saying racist things about white people. I hate having non-white members of my family being called racist names by white people. I hate people being surprised that I care about this stuff because I am white. Racism is alive and well and I think it is actually getting worse. For a lot of people this is an insensitive piece of artwork, and it is because people have said it is. And that’s it. I mean we are talking about horror here. There are other surviving pieces of art from bygone eras on this subject. Have you seen some of the postcards that people sent around then? I can’t even say what was in them. This statue is about pain and hate and ignorance and subjugation. It doesn’t bother some people, but for those it does, they come first here.
Austin Powers was an unkind and inaccurate caricature of a British person. I managed not to be offended.
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Middle-class white men in the 60s weren’t generally bought, sold, chained, segregated etc’. Sometimes the difference between mild teasing and bullying isn’t swearing or beating, but what the teasing is about: likewise, a lighthearted representation of someone having a whale of a life and being loved by all is not the same as ‘masking’ slavery with a memory of an ugly, foolish caracature of someone happy to serve ‘master’.
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Those of you who wrote that those of us offended by this should stop reading are completely right. I’m disgusted by your justifications. If those it represent find it offensive and are telling you they do so and you still choose to display that speaks volumes about you. No matter what original intent the Nazi Germany swastika may have had, it would never occur to me to display one in my living room and offend my Jewish friends. Same w/ any other article….ignorance can be remedied (which is why I didn’t post on the original entry) but willful hurtful intent cannot…you have made your “intent” perfectly clear….I’m sickened by how many are in agreement with you. I spoke to my Black relatives and friends and they all, unanimously, find this repulsive…just thought I should let you know…don’t think it will make a difference to you but maybe if you realized how hurtful it is you’d change your mind about calling something that somone sees as respresenting racist stereotypes a “beautiful man”
SKM – good on your for defending your decision to share your barman. Despite the bashing you seem to be getting, any long term reader of your blog knows a) this is a blog about vintage collectables, b) you meant no offence and c) that you are in no way being racist.
I think perhaps what we can all take from this is that these pieces are a reminder for all of us of our progress over the past 50 years.
Each past comes with its own pain, and each past has its relics. We shouldn’t destroy every relic because it is painful, rather, we should keep them to remind everyone of how far we’ve come as a society, how far we still have to go and to teach new generations not to make the same mistake. Isn’t that why we have musuems to remember wars, battles, disasters and tragedies? To learn from the past?
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Wow, what a melee over an object. This kind of debate is very thought-provoking though, and I have my two cents to throw in.
Intention really is everything in this kind of situation. I am a white woman raised in Atlanta, Georgia, birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and an extremely racially united/divided city, depending upon your perspective. I have lived in Australia for 11 years now. I have followed SKM’s blog for two years now and have met her personally. She is a lovely person who would never have any harmful intentions in posting a picture of the little barman, and I think she has defended her position very eloquently as usual. However, as an American I immediately sensed that a politically incorrect line had been crossed in the posting of the barman that I have come to understand over the years here is not sensed by Australians as easily as it would be by Americans. Here there is much less discussion about racial divides, history, taboos, and present politics concerning African-American/black people, and I can completely understand the offense taken, American or otherwise, by the object, but I urge all to please consider that there is a different cultural perspective to account for in this situation and therefore intention really IS everything.
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Long-time reader, first time commenter here too. I have to say I am quite disappointed by this response too. It’s already been said more eloquently by Miss Emmi, Tina, Gina and Emily.
I won’t be reading anymore- sorry to say. For the record- I’m white and Australian, and I was most certainly surprised at how people can’t see how this is offensive/racist! I guess the ridiculous Hey Hey debacle makes more sense now, though.
Please do not let the comments of others make you in any way feel bad. Some just can’t see things for what they are, just things. There is not a political statement in everything.
You do such a lovely job of showcasing the vintage life, please keep it up.
Yes, I think you are right, there appears to be much less awareness of racial issues and history in Australia. I am reminded, for example, of Harry Connick Jnr’s shock at the black-face racial caricature last year on an Aussie tv show – and at least in the media coverage over here) my recollection was that Australian commentators both defended the item by claiming context, and trying to demonstrate that it was a tradition.
But I just dont buy the ‘context’ argument. There is no ‘context’ or intention that makes racism acceptable!
And as for the comments saying anyone who reads this blog knows SHM is not racist, ah, exactly how DO i know that? Just because someone seems pleasant does not mean that they are always right, or right thinking!
Perhaps we therefore shouldn’t have been shocked by things like military occupation of aborigine lands under the previous Australian Government etc.
Learn your history. Open you heart and just try to understand things like lynching, slavery and the KKK. Because THAT is the context in which this object was created. How you could see beauty in it is just beyond me. (please dont mistake me as saying you endorse racism – what I am saying is learn about it and try to understand why others find these objects abhorrent).
I have been thinking about this on and off all night – this post and the comments have greatly impacted on me.
To the people who thought the barman was offensive – I am sorry you find it so, truly I am. But I don’t find him offensive.
But your vehemence about why it’s a racist object made me start to question whether I am a racist and whether I truly understand the plight of those of us in society who have been ruined for no other reason than skin colour etc.
The fact it, I grew up with racism in Melbourne. I haven’t been privy to the awful racism some people are talking about here. I have studied the history of Aboriginals (ancient and modern) and totally understand how white man has degraded them and ruined their culture. We have family working in the Northern Territory in welfare – so I know intimately what the current situation is.
But that doesn’t stop me admiring Aboriginal art or buying gorgeous bags the ladies make – most Aboriginal Australians I have met (friends etc) want their culture to be out there, want their history known and want to move on.
I am sorry I haven’t seen awful, awful racism apart from what I have read in books, seen on television and found on the internet. I am sorry so much has happened in history to hurt so many people, but I can’t live my life scared of loving objects because people are offended by them. My life is different – my own – I am not living YOUR life.
I am a Tibetan Buddhist. Tibet has been ruined in the last 50 years by the Chinese ruling system – the culture is dying out and Tibetans are fighting to save their historical records. Does this mean I should detest Chinese objects? Does this mean I should treat Chinese people differently? Does this mean I should not love the Chinese laughing Buddha my Nan has?
No, it doesn’t. It means I can like, love or loathe objects just for their quality and craftsmanship.
And, for the record, my little sons are redheads and have been picked on at school for their hair colour. Does this mean I shouldn’t read copies of Ginger Meggs to them or remove items of only brown haired people in my home? No. I just teach them how to treat people well, with kindness and compassion.
It is SKM’s blog. It is her house. It is her life. She is coming at this object from her own, personal angle – not yours. And I feel for people who are judging her for YOUR OWN life and not her own.
Well said!
None of those objects were made by another race to paint the subject in a derogatory light, however. This is not a statue of a black man made by black people, it is a statue of a black man made for the amusement of white men, and therein lies the problem. It is entirely different from buying a traditional piece of art produced by and financially benefiting that culture.
As a redhead myself, I would NEVER, ever compare the bullying I went through at school to the institutionalized racism faced by people of colour every day. I don’t think any of your examples properly match the gravity of the situation, and suggest you look into ‘white privilege’ – just because you do not think it is offensive does not make it so, because your perspective on whether a racial caricature is offensive is not as valid as that of a P.O.C.
Miss Emmi
I would suggest you Google Aboriginal culture to see what the Aboriginals made THEMSELVES for white people to laugh AT them. Yes, totems and black caricatures were big here, too, in the 1940s, 50s and 1960s. Cartoons and pictures depicting the horrors of what Aboriginals went through were also very popular then – very sad times, indeed. There are some Aboriginal art curators who collect these pieces, too.
Unfortunately now we are talking about how ‘grave’ racism is and who has more racism in their culture or less. Google the word Australians and New Zealanders have for redheads – ‘bluey’ – and you might understand our culture a little bit more. For one, my husband was persecuted by his school teachers and classmates and culture for being a redhead in New Zealand. Things are changing now, but only slowly. Also look up the word ‘rangers’ and you might get the gist of what my sons can go through being a redhead in Australia. They are not growing up with the derision or hatred for skin colour – but they are definitely growing up thinking they are different and lesser and unusual until we, as parents, step in and control these situations.
So please don’t say white privilege has no equal, as we all have different lives in different cultures. Your culture is yours and I respect that – but ours is somewhat different here and my privileges are entirely different to yours.
I actually live in Australia and was called ‘ranger’ frequently at school. I know what it means and how hurtful it is, and I am sorry your sons experience it. I did not say that to insult redheads was acceptable, as I feel people turn to insulting us because they feel their right to abuse other racial groups has been taken away (similarly insults to overweight people have become more commonplace as people feel they have to be ‘PC’ in other areas). It is awful because it is not recognized as wrong in our culture (many schools and parents see it as harmless joking), and I do my best to educate people on just how hurtful it can be whenever I overhear them making cruel jokes about redheads.
However I feel my point still stands, as being a redhead does not mean I will less likely to get a job, or more likely to end up in jail, and thus I do not attempt to generalize my experience to other minorities. Again, the gist of my post was that I do not think it is okay for people to generalize their reactions to any discrimination they have experienced to how other people should react to this barman. If you don’t find it offensive, great, but there are people commenting on this post who do. Now is the appropriate response to apologize for the offense, or tell them not to be offended? I feel like the defensive response from commenters and SKM herself has been the latter, and in my opinion it was not the best was to handle the situation.
Thank you for your reply, however – it was not as inflammatory as many others in this post have been. I’ve unsubscribed to SKM so I will not be receiving any more notifications – however I hope I was able to make my feelings clear in the most respectful way possible.
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I have been hesitant about commenting because I don’t believe in piling on, but I must say that I was shocked when I saw that photo. That’s even though I have personally known and also known of people who collect this kind of memorabilia for its historical value. The difference is that they discuss it or display it in an educational context.
Patrick Kelly, a black American fashion designer who worked in Paris in the ’80s and died in 1990, had a huge collection of such memorabilia and used similar images in his own work to … provoke a reaction? He even used a “golliwog” caricature in his logo. I’ve always had a little trouble understanding his thought process about it (I wrote about it here http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2008/05/meet-80s-designer-patrick-kelly/ and there’s a great Washington Post story here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A3561-2004May30?language=printer ).
That said, if someone gave me one of the black baby dolls Kelly freely handed out (see one here: http://rarevintage.blogspot.com/2010/02/icon-week-at-rare-vintage-tuesday.html ), I would keep it as an important fashion artifact. (I can’t imagine buying one, though I collect his other work.) I would certainly blog about the doll and about Kelly and what such an item meant to him and how he used it. But I don’t see any inherent beauty in those pieces. The value is entirely in exploring its meaning.
I feel the same about the item you found. In terms of aesthetics, it’s a gross caricature and I find it hard to imagine how that’s pleasing, despite your eloquent argument. Of course, I know one (wo)man’s trash is another one’s treasure and that sensitivities may be different in Australia than in the U.S. Still, I think this item demands to be viewed as an interesting, if appalling, artifact of a certain time and culture. In my opinion, the only value of the item — like the Kelly dolls — is as a tool to understand the mindset of the person or persons or society that produced it. For many, many people — including me — something like this can’t ever be detached from that context.
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Dearest SKM,
what a lot of commentary. Interestingly I think it shos how little the world changes over time. Please do not feel that you need to ‘explain’ your collection, your house, your moral character, or your intent. Your world is yours and it is beautiful – those who wish to share in it should feel priveledged – the others can leave it and leave you to happily and peacefully enjoy the universe you have created for yourself and your family.
Lisa
I am a little late on this (you have new posts up and presumably want to move on!) but I just wanted to say here that I loved your response to the finds post – thoughtful and dignified and well put. I personally don’t think you should have to justify your tastes and opinions on here with disclaimers, but I do see the point of them, too – I guess I see both sides, then
Personally I didn’t find it at all offensive. I have found some of the comments offensive, though, and disappointing – and I disagree with some of them. I don’t think it is necessary for me to join in, now. I just wanted to show my support for you here 
x
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People just want to cause drama because thats all they know how to do
has anyone seen the knife block/holders you get from loot? and homeware stalls
with several knives stabbed into a man..thats happening in this day and age and sold in stalls- your meant to have this in your home? with children? with visitors? in your cafe??
if her post affends you, dont read it.
get over it
by attacking Candice- as an individual- your causing much more of a scene than by her collecting kitsch goods.
http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/385/372385_knives3.JPG
Hi, yet another post, haha! I agree with many. You shouldn’t have to defend yourself at all. So many people are such boring PC censors, ugh! They’d erase anything from history that they deem “offensive”. Good Cats! Have a sense of humour! All these idiots running around squealing “Ooh, that’s racist, sexist, elfist, gnomist….!!” They spend more energy spreading paranoia than anything else. The most at ease, least discriminating people of my acquaintance are ones that can take and make an occasional jab at all kinds of things including themselves. And you weren’t even joking. Heck, if this was my blog, I’d be glad that those all worked up about such a little thing decided to “unfollow”. No one needs twits like these around where you have to watch your every pixel in case you offend. Sure sensitivity is great and a required trait but everything in moderation, no? It can turn into fear quite easily. And those that wondered, “How to explain it to their children”? Umm, using words! If one is unable to articulate an answer and and form a simple response about this objects and the possible issues with it, then I fear for those kids! How will they be able to help their kids with much more complex subjects on their journey to adulthood, haha! And do they keep them in the basement to avoid seeing all the other “controversial” topics we see everyday on TV and streets, hmm? Anyway SKM, keep up the good work, never curb showing a little personality lest it attract such harpies
, you have plenty people who see it your way. Love this little guy, AND the Raffles pictures,
Lots of love and support!
By PC, I did not mean personal computer
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