Morris dancers accused of racism for traditional blackface
 

group of Morris Dancers were forced to abandon a performance after they were accused of being racist and threatened over their traditional black face paint, it has been claimed.

The Alvechurch group were heckled by a handful of onlookers during performances on two city centre streets near the Bullring in Birmingham on Saturday, witnesses said.

The dancers were one of more than a dozen groups who were there to celebrate Plough Monday, the traditional start of the agricultural year.

They arrived at 11am and had performed without incident in pubs, to groups of local and visiting football fans and to the majority of shoppers.

But a source close to the group said: "The atmosphere had been great with the vast majority of people, but I was absolutely amazed by the vitriolic abuse they started to receive.

"The issues began when they started dancing near to the Bull outside the Bullring and later near to Marks & Spencer. They were roundly abused and threatened with violence.

"One lady was particularly angry and a group of young men started to become very abusive and confrontational, accusing them of being racists, which of course they are not.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.tel...?client=safari

Did LT - not post this?

#As well

Can't see another one?

Sorry NM
it was another one
they said on Wright Stuff Paper Review
Ch5HD 10:12AM
today



So Bleedin' fools
doing it AGAIN

that is a 2nd time

People who threaten violence are idiots but I can't blame the rational people for being angry, tradition or not it's going to be seen as Blackface. If they wanted to paint their faces they could modernise the tradition and make it more colourful which makes more sense for a celebratory performance.

You should be thankful that people don't talk down to you every time you open a new thread.

As for the Morris Dancers, I've heard of this sort of thing go on before towards Morris Dancers.

Every Easter Saturday, members perform dances for ten hours from one side of the town to the other in a tradition known as “Beating the Bounds”. The dance, which marks the return of spring, is believed to trace its roots to Moorish pirates who settled in Cornwall and became employed in local mining.

As more mines and quarries opened in Lancashire in the 18th and 19th centuries, a few Cornishmen are said to have headed to the area, taking with them mining expertise and the costume of red and white kilts, breeches, bonnets and blackened faces. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...tradition.html

So the blackened face is to do with piracy and mining and nothing to do with trying to look like a black person.

It's a British tradition from the 16th century and has no racial connotations.It's from when begging was illegal so people would paint their face black to disguise their identity.
I'd say that if we as a nation must accept the traditions of other cultures then our traditions should also be respected as the host nation.

Interesting.There may be multiple traditions for the painted face?Depending on the particular morris tradition.

On a recent visit to Mexico and taking part in the ‘day of the dead’ festival, we put white paint on my 4 year old nieces face to make her look like a zombie. Now because she’s black, that could be seen her trying to impersonate a white person. :hehe:

:joker:

shocking snowflakes who think that because they are right then that excuses them for abuse and hooliganism

I hope they perform again soon

"You should be thankful that people don't talk down to you every time you open a new thread. "

They are welcome to.

I posted again to Correct that
so please Keep UP

They will not look good on
USA Red Eye Comedy Hour
tomorrow 3AM and 8AM our time
online only , though

I mean, they are only blackening their faces.. Why would their hair, beard and clothes be in immaculate condition when fresh out the chimney.. I didnt understand the backlash until now, go hard or go home. Also, clinging on to traditions is one of humans weirdest habits imo. Its fine to leave things in the past.

I take it you enjoyed all your Christmas presents?

:idc:

I agree with this.

My new year resolution: To offend as many snowflakes as possible.:wavey:

It can get a blizzardy in Tibb towers

:joker:

Without the explanation, the photo is alarming :shrug: which i why i understand the backlash. You just wouldnt look at the, in the street and think 'oh what a lovely traditional treat to the eyes' your mind would just automatically jump to old people and blackface, because out of context that is exactly what it looks like.

Im sure that once the people who caused the backlash learned the story and tradition, they stopped caring.

Im sure youre not suggesting that blackface is acceptable and those who think they see it should carry on walking?

Such moral bastions of society.

Isn't there a masterful irony in people in the street accusing others of cultural ignorance, because they don't understand something because of... cultural ignorance?

are you saying all my posts look alike?

:suspect:

Special forces need to have a word http://skoogfors.photoshelter.com/ga...000L5te08987gQ