Black Faced Morris Dancers Banned at ShrewsburyFolk Festival

The odd thing is it is usually a white person finding undertones of racism/prejudice 'on behalf of' a person of colour.

In the matter of Morris Dancing it is in my opinion annoying and quite possibly more harmful for mulitculturial inclusion as this ignorance of facts puts a distorted slant on things. The indigenous white population see it as an unnecessary attack on their traditions and the coloured population , well my friends and family do, think 'don't talk rubbish on my behalf you are just stirring up trouble'.

It seems at times the ' political correct brigade ' are more interested on displaying their virtue but they 'can' in fact annoy everybody, sometimes those they are purporting to be shielding from a racist/prejudiced occurrence even more.

There are undoubtedly occasions where there is indeed racism/prejudice shown but if everything with the term/use of 'BLACK' is to be abolished/written out of our traditions then I think the plot has been well and truly lost.

By finding evidence of racism on behalf of his/her black brethren/sisters the white protester is asserting his/her own racial supremacy over those less intelligent and sensitive than him/herself.

Oh dear, I'm off to a black tie dinner next month.

Greyduster, glad we can both

I think it's called virtue signalling. Lot of it in Durham.

There would be no point whatsoever in painting faces blue, green - if the original point of 'blacking up' was for disguise that reason is irrelevant these days.

However, to lose traditions such as these for the sake of political correctness is wrong especially if the origins are uncertain and lost in the mists of time.

POGS totally agree. I wonder sometimes what will be the next thing someone thinks of.

Perhaps Grummpa has innocently, or not just come up with next one when he says he is off to a ' black tie event'.

Perhaps it should be a purple tie event but eventually somebody will say it could be racist/prejudiced against an as yet unknown martian tribe.

To use one of my favourite sayings. 'Some people will walk a mile over broken glass in the bare feet to have 'THEIR' feelings hurt'.

Then perhaps have a board explaining the tradition and its origins- or the compère doing so before performing. Easy enough.

The audience cannot be expected to understand this without being told. Easy enough.

When I'm abroad, I try and find out about local customs. My area is very mixed ethnically. My impression is that most of us, from various groups, do our best to understand each other and respect customs. I'm not wishing to sound white and superior but if my neighbours make assumptions, feel offended and don't either ask the Morris dancers why the black face, or read up about the tradition, their for ions won't be widened will they.

yep, give and take and mutual respect.

Could you see anything wrong in a board giving the history of the tradition- or the compère giving one?

It has already been suggested on this thread, granjura, and the suggestion did receive support.

No I can't see a problem with written information on the history, a board and even leaflets. It is important the fear it's a link with slavery.

Well said, Grumppa.

thatbags one can show cultural appreciation of African/ Caribbean culture without having to 'black up'!

black-face.com/

As most articles I have read suggest that early Morris dancers/mummers used soot as a disguise whereas the contemporary pictures of the MDs are using almost solid make up. To look authentic why don't they use soot?? It would look less like a B7W minstrel show & be more authentic!

Penstemmon I would think that blacking up with soot is probably not a good idea healthwise.

"Soot is a byproduct of the incomplete burning of organic (carbon-containing) materials, such as wood, fuel oil, plastics, and household refuse. The fine black or brown powder that makes up soot may contain a number of carcinogens, including arsenic, cadmium, and chromium."

Added to this potential hazard, I have not lived in a house with a coal fire for years.
Get comperes and the team members to explain the blacking up.

So it's not "traditional " at all then ? I think a lot of things we think of as "traditions" were recreated in the Victorian era. Not saying that's the case with Morris dancers, but I'm sure a lot of"traditions" are not identical to the original. Can't see not having black faces would make a lot of difference to the dance, after all, they aren't actually trying to avoid identification now are they?

Suzied I have to defend Morris dancing and other forms of traditional merry making. Every other country is proud of their traditional folk dances, customs etc but much of Britain just scorns ours.

What about originally pagan rituals about "May Queens" virgin girls in church parades.
Burning effiges of Catholics on Bonfire night. That is probably offensive to Catholics but we continue.
Not to mention parading statues of blessed virgins though the streets which could be construed as offensive idolatry, by protestants.

I agree suzied.

Suzied, Lillydully

Why are you saying it is not 'tradition'?

I'm sure one can, pen, but why shouldn't one black up? It's dressing up. Why the fuss?

And it still boils down to one white person objecting while no-one else showed any sign of minding one jot.

The whole thing is silly.

Aboriginal mum posts daughter's 'whiteface' photos

I suppose my answer to that thatbags is it is not a problem in itself..it all depends on the thinking and reasons behind it, how it is done and if it is respectful or disparaging. Many black people have been hurt and offended by the way the white community have represented them. I think it is a good thing to be mindful of that, that's all. I suggested soot as a way of covering a face as it is less likely to be misunderstood.
I love seeing morris dancing.. we have several groups locally and a few weeks ago it was a big local anniversary for them and there were about 8 groups dancing in town. Not one had a blacked up face but some dancers were black.

Agreed Penstemmon. How do you know Thatbags that no-one else minded a jot? Agreed the white person over-reacted and was a bit of a busy body- but perhaps she has black friends and relatives who were upset in the past by similar events- and who felt they couldn't complain themselves or were rebuffed.

All I am saying is what would be wrong in giving an explanation - would that really upset you or anyone?

With so much of our family having grown up with apartheid- and learnt to put up and shut up- I am glad some white SAfricans took their side. The end of apartheid was VERY recent indeed- and feelings still very raw.

gj Did anyone say it would upset them if an explanation were given? I got the impression that everyone was in favour of that. Maybe I missed a post saying it was a bad idea.