The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #161296 Message #3833186
Posted By: Jeri
17-Jan-17 - 12:21 PM
Thread Name: blacked up morris dancers abused in uk
Subject: RE: blacked up morris dancers abused in uk
I might as well weigh in on this.
It doesn't seem to me that "blacking up" has much to do with minstrelry. The latter pokes fun at Black people while appropriating their music. It's about acknowledging the quality of music while ridiculing people.
The morris dancing doesn't seem to ridicule, doesn't usurp anyone else's traditions. The only thing it has in common with minstrelry is the black faces. In short, I don't see any hatred, disdain, or ridicule. I don't know (does anyone, for sure?) that the black faces aren't chimney-sweepesque or a form of disguise. Even if they ARE trying to look like Black people, without the negative stuff, I don't see the problem. People who try to look like another group of people are pretty common.
I realize some people will take offense. To some extent, perception=reality, and no matter how factually wrong they may be, their opinions and feelings are real. Whether folks adjust their behavior based on other people's perceptions is decision only they can make. I don't want to get caught up in saying whether they're right or wrong.