As a 70-year-old white guy, I was surprised to hear the back story on figurines being negative. I always thought of them as whimsical, and expected them to be more valuable. Not all whites are racist (but I do know some who are). Thanks for posting!
I'm a 62 y/o white guy. Overt & hate racism (Klan etc) was the thing most of us detested and assumed was the only definition of racism, it took a long time for me to understand; #1 closet racism (Dad being nice to the black car mechanic but still using the 'N' word and telling racist jokes) #2 subtle identity racism (Aunt Jemima etc), #3 humiliation as humor racism (Minstrel shows, the dumb shoeshine guy in movies etc), and #4 systemic racism (always treated as second class). We should never stop learning and trying to do better.
I was kind of disappointed with that part too. She said the people who would buy them romanticize the era. Black americana is a huge collector category and most collectors are attracted to the negative aspect of the history, not romanticizing at all. At this point i think most collector are black themselves. Its similar to collectors of german ww2 stuff, the vast majority are not supporters, they are just amazed that that was able to happen in this world. Also, im not sure she can ascribe the intent as so explicitly "mad" at free slaves that they wanted to degrade them. Black people where already degraded in society, the civil war wasn't a turning point in that sense. Some where given for free when you opened an account, some sold directly. These were commercial products designed to encourage kids to save that reflect the commercial draw of the era, not organized social propaganda. In my opinion they reflects entertainer stereotype in a callous way that so many white americans found fun. These bank designs really started in the early 1900s, not "after the civil war". Vaudeville was popular then and unfortunately kids grew up in the environment where this was not only acceptable, but appealing. I think that is not only a more accurate ascription to why these exist, but also gives insight into why people like them. They are at the intersection of so many collectible category.
I loved this piece. It makes you think and reflect on the time period and common opinion! I don't understand why someone would not understand the harmful racial overtones!!! Walk a mile in my shoes???🤔🙏❤
I agree. Regarding the figurines it's as if out of all collectable things o'Brien may have had to offer this became an opportunity to bring wokeness to the AR. But now I've learned the 150 year old back story, so win for me, (I guess).
@@calar333 The back story of Soledad O'Brien happening to be on a NYC street and finding a concentration of a dozen racist caricatures from the civil war era, 150 years old, being sold by "a guy, on a table" and "not knowing what they are", so she must buy them up, so they don't get into others hands? That story is just not believable, I mean just think about it. She can't even make up a good price, "about $9 for this, $5 for that" she says but she is making it up for the show. The back story as explained by the expert appraiser is 100% true, she is believable and she knows her stuff. Those figures are intended to diminish and dehumanize. Just my 2c.
I think it's an interesting and needed conversion to understand the context of these objects and how to display them with respect in the modern world. Art is a product of the society in which it was created, so to understand and interpret art, one must also understand what in society spawned its creation.
First why would "racist" white folks 150 yrs ago want to buy them to laugh at how offensive they are. 2nd they were make to market to black kids because that market was getting larger, like how clown are/were bought by kids late 19th early 20th century. She was very wrong to put racist and offensive tag on them!
The thing that strikes me about the people who made those figurines is how very fearful and insecure and SMALL they must have been to have such a need to punch down on the people with the least amount of power in the country. Which... to me... elevates the freed slaves who were being mocked by these objects. So I can see a positive in owning them if you're descended from those slaves.
Eh. I don't know about those figurines that mock black people. I would hate to have to see them in my own home, where I should be free of racial and other anxieties. But I also wouldn't want to stash them away in the attic, like they're a deep, dark secret that should never see the light of day. My inclination--donate them to a museum that specializes in such figurines and history. At least then I'd feel good that they're being utilized for educational purposes by experts in this stuff.
The irony is the thick lips were being made fun of back then, but now is the desire of most people in the modern world, injecting fillers and Botox to achieve the look. LOL!
![Yeat & Summrs - GO2WORK [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NEFEwfPcXRA/mqdefault.jpg)
David Walker is dreamy. That is my professional appraisal.
As a 70-year-old white guy, I was surprised to hear the back story on figurines being negative. I always thought of them as whimsical, and expected them to be more valuable. Not all whites are racist (but I do know some who are). Thanks for posting!
I'm a 62 y/o white guy. Overt & hate racism (Klan etc) was the thing most of us detested and assumed was the only definition of racism, it took a long time for me to understand; #1 closet racism (Dad being nice to the black car mechanic but still using the 'N' word and telling racist jokes) #2 subtle identity racism (Aunt Jemima etc), #3 humiliation as humor racism (Minstrel shows, the dumb shoeshine guy in movies etc), and #4 systemic racism (always treated as second class). We should never stop learning and trying to do better.
I was kind of disappointed with that part too. She said the people who would buy them romanticize the era. Black americana is a huge collector category and most collectors are attracted to the negative aspect of the history, not romanticizing at all. At this point i think most collector are black themselves. Its similar to collectors of german ww2 stuff, the vast majority are not supporters, they are just amazed that that was able to happen in this world.
Also, im not sure she can ascribe the intent as so explicitly "mad" at free slaves that they wanted to degrade them. Black people where already degraded in society, the civil war wasn't a turning point in that sense. Some where given for free when you opened an account, some sold directly. These were commercial products designed to encourage kids to save that reflect the commercial draw of the era, not organized social propaganda. In my opinion they reflects entertainer stereotype in a callous way that so many white americans found fun. These bank designs really started in the early 1900s, not "after the civil war". Vaudeville was popular then and unfortunately kids grew up in the environment where this was not only acceptable, but appealing. I think that is not only a more accurate ascription to why these exist, but also gives insight into why people like them. They are at the intersection of so many collectible category.
I loved this piece. It makes you think and reflect on the time period and common opinion! I don't understand why someone would not understand the harmful racial overtones!!! Walk a mile in my shoes???🤔🙏❤
It was fascinating to hear the stories of these objects I find it interesting that black Americans are collecting the figures
Always a fan of Soledad O'Brien. Not sure why racism has to enter the conversation here. It was an informative and enjoyable episode.
I agree. Regarding the figurines it's as if out of all collectable things o'Brien may have had to offer this became an opportunity to bring wokeness to the AR. But now I've learned the 150 year old back story, so win for me, (I guess).
Why would you not want the back story of items on the Antiques Roadshow?
@@calar333 The back story of Soledad O'Brien happening to be on a NYC street and finding a concentration of a dozen racist caricatures from the civil war era, 150 years old, being sold by "a guy, on a table" and "not knowing what they are", so she must buy them up, so they don't get into others hands? That story is just not believable, I mean just think about it. She can't even make up a good price, "about $9 for this, $5 for that" she says but she is making it up for the show. The back story as explained by the expert appraiser is 100% true, she is believable and she knows her stuff. Those figures are intended to diminish and dehumanize. Just my 2c.
I think it's an interesting and needed conversion to understand the context of these objects and how to display them with respect in the modern world. Art is a product of the society in which it was created, so to understand and interpret art, one must also understand what in society spawned its creation.
First why would "racist" white folks 150 yrs ago want to buy them to laugh at how offensive they are. 2nd they were make to market to black kids because that market was getting larger, like how clown are/were bought by kids late 19th early 20th century. She was very wrong to put racist and offensive tag on them!
The thing that strikes me about the people who made those figurines is how very fearful and insecure and SMALL they must have been to have such a need to punch down on the people with the least amount of power in the country. Which... to me... elevates the freed slaves who were being mocked by these objects. So I can see a positive in owning them if you're descended from those slaves.
Wow I don't recognize Soledad at all, she looks like a completely different person than ~10-15 years ago.
Eh. I don't know about those figurines that mock black people. I would hate to have to see them in my own home, where I should be free of racial and other anxieties. But I also wouldn't want to stash them away in the attic, like they're a deep, dark secret that should never see the light of day. My inclination--donate them to a museum that specializes in such figurines and history. At least then I'd feel good that they're being utilized for educational purposes by experts in this stuff.
The irony is the thick lips were being made fun of back then, but now is the desire of most people in the modern world, injecting fillers and Botox to achieve the look. LOL!