Black Faced Morris Dancers Banned at ShrewsburyFolk Festival

Yes,black faces. I think if people are offended we need to ask ourselves why.

But that wasn't just blacked-up faces, they were made to look like golliwogs!

However if people are being offended perhaps we need to look at some of our traditions in the light of modern society. We have given up black and white minstrels.

I always think of Mollie dancers as Goths who dance with sticks.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_dance

I can just imagine the reaction if they try something so utterly daft around here.

I sometimes think those who look for racism in everything are deep down racist themselves and this is their way of hiding it. It's like people saying some of their best friends are black - I have friends, their colour is of no consequence. I know someone who insists on referring to two of her friends as "my gay friends". What has their sexual preference got to do with anything!

I suppose that we should ban all battle re enactments as well.

So I assume he's happy that Farage is supporting that well known advocate of racial tolerance, Donald Trump then .

This is all part of dumb trying to ensure that everyone is dumber! It makes one despair!
Most people in this country are more than happy to support traditional events but get intimidated by those with the loudest voices so clearly we need to be more vocal in our support.

What a sweeping and funny idea about UKIP! I can't imagine where that came from! There are a broad range of people in every political party and no one party has the monopoly on stupidity!
I know lots of people who support UKIP and some of them are of very differing complexions and racial origins but they wanted to remain British - and "didn't want to be swallowed up in an enormous amorphous glob" as one of my friend's sons said. He sports an amazing 'afro' by the way which is all natural and he is fiercely British and third generation Jamaican/British. He is a very nice lad and not racist in any way.

www.rattlejagmorris.org.uk/history-of-morris-dancing

And when it says "Moors" it's not taking about the Yorkshire Moors either!

Isn't the origin of "Morris" dancers "Moorish" anyway, so yes, they would have "blacked up" cf Othello. Another case of throwing the baby out with the bath water as on that basis ALL Morris dancing "should be banned".
Bah humbug!

Makes my blood boil this type of thing.

The problem is this actually get's peoples heckles up and provides more ammunition for the voices who say Political Correctness has/is going/gone too far. Well actually I agree it has.

I can imagine the person who complained in my minds eye and he/she is typically on 'a mission' in the belief they are being mindful of prejudice/racism where there is non intended. They are permanently on the hunt for the next time they can sign a petition or make a complaint because they feel we should jump to their tune.

I know this story would definately annoy and frustrate my friends and family from a non white/British background as we have spoken of this before. I know for a fact they would enjoy watching the Morris Dancers , put a quid in the collection bucket and accept the Morris Dancers are in no way being prejudice/racist.

Oh for goodness sake . Whatever next.?

I agree, if the custom had started with black slsves being made to dance then yes ban it, but this form of Morris dancing is English history , if wearing the Welsh National Costume was to be banned because high black hats could cause offence there would be uproar in Wales .

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KmQRhgORi4
..if this works, these are my favourites...

I agree completely.