Yes, I graduated HS in ’59. Blackface was used in those days. It was not considered a sin against nature but was part of the popular cultural (white institutional) behavior to portray negros in their sub-culture. Yes, skin color does not make culture, but it may be a common trait among a cultural group.
Attaching a class-value to any trait or culture is the issue we are addressing nowadays.
Not everyone who can’t walk in a straight line is an alcoholic, yet we portray them that way. We are ignoring the “functional alcoholic” and people with neurological problems. Sometimes they judge me rightly, and sometimes wrongly. It is a noble objective to be open to individual possibilities and to forgive errors in judgment. Everyone needs to forgive themselves and me, again. Let’s keep our eyes forward on our destination of inclusion and equity.
Where prejudice exists, blackface and stereotypical references can feed misunderstanding. Prejudice can produce injury and murder. Because someone is murdered for changing traffic lanes on a freeway does not mean we should ignore traffic lanes. Tolerance and acceptance are ideals. Let’s enjoy the journey, and I appreciate your help along the way.
Calling out Governor Northam’s past is a good lesson for us. The question is whether he has shown racial bias since those days.
Converts can become the best disciples.
This is one of your best posts. We were born in the 40s and 50s. Culture was very different then. People do not realize this. What is now considered racist was not even thought about by whites, we just did not understand. What is called sexist was just the interactions of men and women. We cannot look into someones history from way back and judge them with today’s standards. Most people will fail.