No doubt about it, the cover art for this sheet music is offensive, as is the title. The fact that we realize this is a good thing. What's strange is that the copyright for this piece is 1950. Now, I don't know if that was when it was first released or simply reissued. I can easily see this being something that was popular in the early part of the 20th century, but then I find a newspaper clipping indicating it was still popular in 1963.
Click on image to see it larger.
Let's not fool ourselves, offensive material is just as prevalent today, but it generally doesn't have the seal of approval by most people. Racism is alive and well on one news network and they would probably defend the art. And if we're talking offensive, nothing can match videos for rap music where women are degraded verbally and visually.
Offensive material that belittles someone to make an idiot feel superior will always be around. It's like whack-a-mole trying to rid ourselves of it. Just when one thing disappears another takes its place. Racism is again raising its ugly head with the blessing of far too many ignorant people.
So why would I post this? It's a reminder and each person who views it brings their own conclusion as to how they feel about it.
Click here to read about the publishing company, Theodore Presser, which is located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
Important to see and remember stuff like this, and think about how far we've come, and how far we still have to go.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing we learned to knit in school was a golliwog. Mindboggling when you think about it now but at the time we all thought it was great fun!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing those when I was in the UK and was stunned. I couldn't believe they were still around and had a following.
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