Not Sure and Getting Lots of Mixed Opinions

[Draggondragon]

Today I was in a charity shop in a small rural town. Their window display was Black and White Minstrels albums with an array of black and white items of clothing around. I automatically bristled and was like WTF but I appreciate its innocent. Some people say its innocent, some people say its unacceptable and some say its an historic relic. Don't worry, I won't call the police or notify the village elders, just interested to know if my initial reaction was normal, ie not outraged to the point of drama but shocked. I am also tempted to buy them, along with the Roy Chubby Brown DVDs to donate to my dads weekly bonfire 😁

@user1471505494

I grew up watching the Black and White Minstrels. Even as a child I knew that they were people DRESSING UP. They weren’t supposed to be anything. I also grew up with Golliwogs and they were just like teddy bear in our minds I do get very annoyed at people telling me what I can and can’t say or think. I was lucky enough to have been brought up by two amazing parents who thought us to judge people by what they said and did and not by race religion or sex

So did I.

And I know full well that we know better now and it is absolutely fundamentally wrong.

And if you have to be told to think it's wrong your upbringing wasn't as amazing as you remember

I also remember the black and white minstrel show , it was wrong then and it’s wrong now.

Appaling
Black lives matter graffiti/posters on the window?
If it's a large charity, complain to the head office.
If a local one, complain to the charity, not the shop

If the complaint isn't handled asequately, report to the chairty commissison - they probably won't do a lot either, but it should put the wind up the trustees.

I’m actually wondering if the display (and the goliwogs mentioned later in the thread) was done by a younger person. Someone who hasn’t heard of them, has no idea of the history and thus has no idea what a blunder this is.

A few people have mentioned golliwogs. I'm in my 50's and I loved them as a child. I didn't actually associate them with real people at all,of any colour. I wouldn't buy one now obviously, knowing that people are offended by them. I also loved my "black doll" just because she was beautiful.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my post. Yes will have a quiet word and be kind. And if when I wake up tomorrow people are doing the MN thing if saying it didn't happen, please know my intentions were good. X

@user1471505494

I grew up watching the Black and White Minstrels. Even as a child I knew that they were people DRESSING UP. They weren’t supposed to be anything. I also grew up with Golliwogs and they were just like teddy bear in our minds I do get very annoyed at people telling me what I can and can’t say or think. I was lucky enough to have been brought up by two amazing parents who thought us to judge people by what they said and did and not by race religion or sex

🤦‍♀️

I buy vinyl albums of the minstrel show when I see them in charity shops ( and I see them quite often) to destroy. I’m probably contributing to them becoming a collector’s item one day.

Thank you all. I will either go and buy them or have a word. Either way will make sure they are gone.

@user1471505494

I grew up watching the Black and White Minstrels. Even as a child I knew that they were people DRESSING UP. They weren’t supposed to be anything. I also grew up with Golliwogs and they were just like teddy bear in our minds I do get very annoyed at people telling me what I can and can’t say or think. I was lucky enough to have been brought up by two amazing parents who thought us to judge people by what they said and did and not by race religion or sex

It took less than an hour for someone to defend racist caricatures. Well done.