What to do with "racist" art from a century ago

continueinfaith · Jan 1, 2016

There has been quite a debate going on since last summer regarding a painting on a century-old merry-go-round in New York. The painting shows two black children frightened by a rooster. The kids are depicted in a very derogatory style known as 'Pickaninny'. At the time it was created, the style was considered perfectly acceptable- and for obvious reasons would not be so today.

For more than one hundred years, the picture has been in place on the merry-go-round with hardly anyone noticing. People of all races had ridden the ride and not been bothered. Now that someone has noticed and complained about it, there have been protests and a firestorm of controversy surrounding it. Many want to keep it in place, because it is part of a historic ride that is in its original location and has all its original parts. Removing the piece would cause it to lose historical value and integrity. (In fact, the decided solution is to keep it up but to install signs explaining the debate around it and its significance.)

Understandably, several African Americans- and even some other races- are deeply offended by the painting now that it's been brought to light, and are demanding its removal. Most are wanting it to go into a museum, but a few want it to be destroyed. One person was even in favor of the entire merry-go-round being "burned to the ground".

So, here is the debate: regardless of your race, from a Christian standpoint, how would this issue best be handled?

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/386...-old-carousel-panel-rochester-ny-will-remain/

http://www.rochestersubway.com/topi...carousel-debate-the-preservation-of-ridicule/

http://talkerofthetown.com/2015/12/...to-the-jim-crow-museum-of-racist-memorabalia/

quatona · Jan 2, 2016

continueinfaith said:
There has been quite a debate going on since last summer regarding a painting on a century-old merry-go-round in New York. The painting shows two black children frightened by a rooster. The kids are depicted in a very derogatory style known as 'Pickaninny'. At the time it was created, the style was considered perfectly acceptable- and for obvious reasons would not be so today.

For more than one hundred years, the picture has been in place on the merry-go-round with hardly anyone noticing. People of all races had ridden the ride and not been bothered. Now that someone has noticed and complained about it, there have been protests and a firestorm of controversy surrounding it. Many want to keep it in place, because it is part of a historic ride that is in its original location and has all its original parts. Removing the piece would cause it to lose historical value and integrity. (In fact, the decided solution is to keep it up but to install signs explaining the debate around it and its significance.)

Understandably, several African Americans- and even some other races- are deeply offended by the painting now that it's been brought to light, and are demanding its removal. Most are wanting it to go into a museum, but a few want it to be destroyed. One person was even in favor of the entire merry-go-round being "burned to the ground".

So, here is the debate: regardless of your race, from a Christian standpoint, how would this issue best be handled?

They could keep it as a document of previous racism - a warning to current and future generations.
I mean, Ausschwitz KZ is still there, along with its obscene "Arbeit macht frei" gate.

Armoured · Jan 2, 2016

IMHO, art is contextual in time and place. No one and nothing is served a. by condemning art from the past by the standards of today, nor b. censoring art from the past because it might "offend someone".

The past is a different country. People do things differently there.

essentialsaltes · Jan 2, 2016

Although obviously they benefit from selling their own IP, I think Warner Brothers did a nice job with its disclaimer.

continueinfaith · Jan 2, 2016

That is an excellent way to handle it.

Cearbhall · Jan 2, 2016

Ooh. That's a bit of a rough situation. Usually when I hear about this, it's on food tins and signs and things, and they just get displayed in a museum in their historical context. I have zero problem with that. I think it's dangerous to censor the past. It's somewhat more awkward when it's a huge public fixture that is still being used for its original function, though.

I wouldn't want it to be removed, but nor would I jump on people who say it should be. They have an argument.

Dave-W · Jan 2, 2016

continueinfaith said:
a few want it to be destroyed. One person was even in favor of the entire merry-go-round being "burned to the ground".

Sounds like ISIS or the Taliban destroying ancient works of art that are not islamic.

keith99 · Jan 2, 2016

When I was in my teens there was a restaurant chain named Sambo's. Pretty much in the same class and Denny's. It had murals telling the story of little black Sambo.

I'm sure charges of racism contributed to its demise.

The funny part is Sambo was Indian, as in still in India. The funnier part is Sambo was one smart kid and he won from an unwinnable position.

Of course Bengal Tigers would have cause for offense, but who else if they stopped to think for a second?

KitKatMatt · Jan 2, 2016

essentialsaltes said:
Although obviously they benefit from selling their own IP, I think Warner Brothers did a nice job with its disclaimer.

I was going to respond with this when I first read the thread!

It looks like this carousel is already a historic landmark (correct me if I'm wrong on that, just going by what I am seeing). If that's the case, I don't see any reason to remove it. If it were just a regular modern carousel, I would say it would be best to remove it (and possibly put it in a museum if it has any significance depending on age), but if it's a historic landmark and advertised as such, I don't see any reason to do so.

The difference to me, is that a designated historical piece is not saying "this is acceptable today". It's a statement of what was considered (wrongly) acceptable in the past. It would be completely different than a modern carousel with the same image.

We need to be aware of our distasteful views of the past so we don't do the same things in the future.

Armoured · Jan 2, 2016

DaveW-Ohev said:
Sounds like ISIS or the Taliban destroying ancient works of art that are not islamic.

While needlessly incendiary, I agree with the basic gist.

alsughasoughaiuyfygh · Jan 2, 2016

continueinfaith · Jan 2, 2016

DaveW-Ohev said:
Sounds like ISIS or the Taliban destroying ancient works of art that are not islamic.

It does indeed.

keith99 said:
When I was in my teens there was a restaurant chain named Sambo's. Pretty much in the same class and Denny's. It had murals telling the story of little black Sambo.

I'm sure charges of racism contributed to its demise.

The funny part is Sambo was Indian, as in still in India. The funnier part is Sambo was one smart kid and he won from an unwinnable position.

Of course Bengal Tigers would have cause for offense, but who else if they stopped to think for a second?

I remember Sambo's. And I remember the murals. And even though I was a child at the time, I never thought of Sambo being "black" as we think of black. As you mentioned, he was Indian.

SteveB28 · Jan 3, 2016

I would agree with those who view these things as a reminder of the practices of the past - and that they belong in the past.

I think of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Should we be baying for it's pages to be torn out of the bard's collected works, because of the unflattering stereotype presented of a Jewish businessman?

buzuxi02 · Jan 3, 2016

So what makes this racist? I dont get it. Looking up the word pickaninne, doesn't seem to say much other than it was a generic word for black children derived from the portuguese and was never derogatory. Is there evidence that this panel should even be labeled as pickaninny?

Kind of reminds me of those whites that want the Redskins football team to change their name due to racism when in reality they just want to eliminate native american history into extinction so we can all forget about their existence.

William67 · Jan 3, 2016

buzuxi02 said:
So what makes this racist? I dont get it. Looking up the word pickaninne, doesn't seem to say much other than it was a generic word for black children derived from the portuguese and was never derogatory. Is there evidence that this panel should even be labeled as pickaninny?

Kind of reminds me of those whites that want the Redskins football team to change their name due to racism when in reality they just want to eliminate native american history into extinction so we can all forget about their existence.

And the attempted genocide of all Native Americans by the US govt.

Keep the artwork. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

ximmix · Jan 3, 2016

William67 said:
And the attempted genocide of all Native Americans by the US govt.

Keep the artwork. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

This.

The Cadet · Jan 3, 2016

buzuxi02 said:
Kind of reminds me of those whites that want the Redskins football team to change their name due to racism when in reality they just want to eliminate native american history into extinction so we can all forget about their existence.

You do realize that the groups complaining the loudest are Native Americans, right?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...38b8d0-6299-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html

buzuxi02 · Jan 3, 2016

First time I ever saw that article. Read other articles where tribal chiefs didn't mind the name. Will these misguided natives also object to military hardware be called commanche and apache helicopters, tomahawk missiles and so on. They took the PC bait and are looking to erase their own influences from history till they are forgotten into the dustbin of history.

keith99 · Jan 3, 2016

SteveB28 said:
I would agree with those who view these things as a reminder of the practices of the past - and that they belong in the past.

I think of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Should we be baying for it's pages to be torn out of the bard's collected works, because of the unflattering stereotype presented of a Jewish businessman?

Or worse yet do we ban Ivanhoe because it shows a horrible attitude towards Jews, even by the good people?

durangodawood · Jan 3, 2016

buzuxi02 said:
....Kind of reminds me of those whites that want the Redskins football team to change their name due to racism when in reality they just want to eliminate native american history into extinction so we can all forget about their existence.

Havent heard of this before.
My sense is that whites who reject the "redskins" do so because of its racist connotations.

What to do with "racist" art from a century ago

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