These Racist Knickknacks Show There's Still a Market for Racism
There's a conservative counter-outrage to the Trayvon Martin outrage whipping around the blogosphere that suggests that racism no longer exists in America. But after visiting a flea market in North Carolina last week, I disagree.
There's a conservative counter-outrage to the Trayvon Martin outrage whipping around the blogosphere that suggests that racism no longer exists in America. But after visiting a flea market in North Carolina last week, I disagree.
I researched one of the items from the flea market -- a jug that's made to look like a scary cartoon of a black person's face. "Face jugs" are a Carolina tradition, and they're usually not racist. But sometimes they are: "I have seen face jugs that play on racial stereotypes (which of course are in extremely poor taste but there seems to be a market for them, think lawn jockeys and cigar store indians)," an unrelated pottery retailer explains. The same goes for the rest of this stuff. Some people, somewhere, are apparently willing to part with money so they can own horrendous depictions of black people. It doesn't mean they're murderers, obviously. But it does mean they're comfortable with racism expressed not just in fleeting, un-P.C. jokes, but in coffee table trinkets for family and friends to see. It's a clear sign that racism didn't end for them.
The Mammie bank above was $45. Put a coin in her hand, pull the trigger, and she throws it in her mouth. Below, the little Mammie was $9.50, the big one was $22, and the kid eating a watermelon was $9.95. The Mammie in red was apparently very popular, because she appeared in at least four booths in the flea market.
This figurine was $45.
These cloth dolls were $19.50 each.
These dolls were $22.50 each. They're made to look antique, but they're new.
This $35 cloth doll is also made to look old, but the googly eyes give it away.
This "face jug," discussed above, was $75.
This "black clown syrup canister" is $79.99.
Then we hit the jackpot: a whole case of racist stuff, including memorabilia from segregation.
The "colored waiting room" sign was from Jackson, Mississippi, the tag said, and $22.
Those signs read "Public Swimming Pool -- Whites Only -- Selma, Ala," and "American Beach Fla. -- Negro Ocean Playground."
The Mammie washing the kid in a bathtub is particularly offensive.
"Mammie Folk Art -- $15."
More Mammies.
Another entire cabinet of racist things. The racist jug in the back says "Kickapoo Joy Juice," which is a reference to the cartoon Li'l Abner, which ran from 1934 to 1977. The drink was widely considered to be moonshine.
The tag reads: "Black boy looking in outhouse. $30"
The Mammie here is a salt shaker, $18.
This $45 "black cactus planter" is crafted so the plant grows out of the figure's crotch -- a charming addition to any wholesome home.
Then there are the related racist things that are not just shocking depictions of humans. Like this George Wallace memorabilia. Wallace was the infamous Alabama segregationist. I suppose it's possible to like Wallace for some other accomplishment -- education policy, perhaps? Oh wait, that was racist, too.
This signed portrait of Wallace was $25.