Black Lawn Jockeys

Discussion in 'Race Relations' started by Moriah, Dec 11, 2020.

  1. Moriah

    Moriah Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2013
    Messages:
    7,646
    Likes Received:
    2,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    Last evening I was watching "In the Heat of the Night", that old movie starring Sidney Poiter and Rod Steiger. In one scene of the movie they showed a Black lawn jockey decoration in a front yard. I've never saw one of these in real life, since I grew up in California. I hear they were once popular in the South.
    Question for people familiar with the South: Do some people still decorate their yards with these lawn jockeys?
    P.S. Sidney Poiter and Rod Steiger both should have received Acadamy Awards for their parts in that film.
     
    Bowerbird likes this.
  2. Capt Nice

    Capt Nice Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2017
    Messages:
    9,998
    Likes Received:
    10,217
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I had family in S.E. Missouri when I was a kid being raised in the Detroit area. I recall visiting relatives in the South and seeing them on front lawns. However, that would have been back in the 60's. I can't speak for today. I agree with you on the Academy Awards.
     
    Bowerbird and Moriah like this.
  3. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Messages:
    34,608
    Likes Received:
    11,196
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I doubt they would still be sold. They would probably be considered "racist" or not "politically correct" today.

    You can still buy antique black lawn jockeys but they are usually a little bit pricey.

    You can buy new specially-made black lawn jockeys here, but they cost $500
    http://www.lawnjock.com/

    If you're curious about the history...
    The figure of the lawn jockey was apparently known by escaping slaves to be that of Jocko Graves who was “a symbol of freedom during the era of the Underground Railroad”. The legend holds that conductors of the Underground Railroad used these lawn jockeys, as well as other items, to help guide people toward freedom.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2020
  4. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Messages:
    34,608
    Likes Received:
    11,196
    Trophy Points:
    113
    That series was very progressive for its time.

    But probably politically incorrect at many points by the crazy standards of today.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2020
    Moriah likes this.
  5. Moriah

    Moriah Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2013
    Messages:
    7,646
    Likes Received:
    2,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you for that information.
     
    Bowerbird likes this.
  6. Moriah

    Moriah Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2013
    Messages:
    7,646
    Likes Received:
    2,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    I had a friend who loved the TV series "In the Heat of the Night". I agree that it probably wouldn't be very popular today.
     
  7. Moriah

    Moriah Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2013
    Messages:
    7,646
    Likes Received:
    2,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    I notice some of the lawn jockeys in your link are White! I thought they only came in Black. You are right, they are expensive.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2020
  8. Polydectes

    Polydectes Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2010
    Messages:
    53,251
    Likes Received:
    18,015
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I've lived in the South all my life and I've never even heard of this.
     
    it's just me likes this.
  9. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Messages:
    34,608
    Likes Received:
    11,196
    Trophy Points:
    113
    White lawn jockeys have always existed. If you are wondering why Black lawn jockeys have been more popular in the South than White, it's because, of all the stereotypes about Black people that existed, there were also some good ones. Black people were seen as more jovial, care-free, "fun" and silly.
    The perfect thing you would want on your lawn. (Maybe even a little exoticism too that played into the kitsch factor)
    White lawn jockeys would have been seen as more boring, serious, plain, "vanilla".

    Ironically I think if they had only made White lawn jockeys, people would be complaining about that being racist too.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2020
    Injeun and Moriah like this.
  10. Chrizton

    Chrizton Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2020
    Messages:
    7,707
    Likes Received:
    3,784
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I see them sporadically still. A lot of people have painted the faces white or peachy or something so they aren't really black lawn jockey's anymore typically. I have maybe seen 2 in recent years that are still blackfaced. I mainly see them in older neighborhoods or out on the rural country roads at houses that look like the occupants are 60+ since not retired people tend not to dedicate a lot to their front yards. I don't think anybody is trying to make a statement with them. They are just a piece of cheap statuary they picked up or inherited.
     
    Moriah likes this.
  11. Injeun

    Injeun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2012
    Messages:
    12,831
    Likes Received:
    5,961
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I have seen those yard ornaments from time to time in my youth. But hardly at all of late. I think that a strange mix of animus and admiration, not only racially, but for all the differences of humankind, including talent and even personality, will persist among all people unless or until the earth is filled with holiness. In truth, and it stands to reason, that if one seeks holiness, one must first accomplish or approach it within ones own self. Otherwise one risks becoming an arrogant, self righteous, hypocrite...and an expert in advanced criticism rather than a practitioner of even the basics of ones own counsel.
     
  12. it's just me

    it's just me Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    Messages:
    3,269
    Likes Received:
    381
    Trophy Points:
    83
    If you want a white lawn jockey you just paint it.
     
    Injeun likes this.
  13. politicalcenter

    politicalcenter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2011
    Messages:
    11,100
    Likes Received:
    6,786
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    They still have a few lawn jockeys in the south. They painted them white.
     
  14. Injeun

    Injeun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2012
    Messages:
    12,831
    Likes Received:
    5,961
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I despise knick knacks and yard ornaments. They serve no purpose but to get in the way. Unless it's something practical like a bird bath, sun dial or rain guage, ornaments like gnomes, jockeys and stone geese are an abomination and ought to be banished.
     
    joesnagg likes this.
  15. it's just me

    it's just me Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    Messages:
    3,269
    Likes Received:
    381
    Trophy Points:
    83
    I used to like the chrome spheres, but I haven't seen any in a long time.
     
    Injeun likes this.
  16. Injeun

    Injeun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2012
    Messages:
    12,831
    Likes Received:
    5,961
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Noooo, not the spheres! To what end? It's just something else to mow around. Come to your senses, man. ;-)
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2020
    kazenatsu likes this.
  17. it's just me

    it's just me Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    Messages:
    3,269
    Likes Received:
    381
    Trophy Points:
    83
    I was a kid, what can I tell you? It was either that or whirlygigs.
     
    Injeun likes this.
  18. joesnagg

    joesnagg Banned

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2020
    Messages:
    4,749
    Likes Received:
    6,799
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I had a Black friend from school (now deceased) who placed a black dog statue in his yard with the face painted white. He was a hoot, miss him.
     
    Injeun likes this.
  19. joesnagg

    joesnagg Banned

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2020
    Messages:
    4,749
    Likes Received:
    6,799
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Great movie and they both should have got one. As for the lawn jockeys I believe there's a story about their origins along the lines of a faithful young Black slave that froze to death or somehow died while holding George Washington's horse. Anyone heard the particulars of that story?
     
  20. joesnagg

    joesnagg Banned

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2020
    Messages:
    4,749
    Likes Received:
    6,799
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    A couple people in town laid weed barrier down and covered their yards with native stone gravel, large rocks, and a few flower beds. One way to get out of yardwork, just apply a little weed killer here and there as needed.
     
    Injeun likes this.
  21. Moriah

    Moriah Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2013
    Messages:
    7,646
    Likes Received:
    2,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    I've heard that story. They said the little slave boy's name was Jocko. Goerge Washington supposedly had a statue made in his honor after he froze to death holding the reins of the horse. Jocko was the original black lawn jockey, according to this story.
     
    joesnagg likes this.
  22. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Messages:
    34,608
    Likes Received:
    11,196
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Those things are very gaudy and have no place in a garden. Maybe in an industrial art sculpture park.

    I agree, but some of those stone carved animals can look nice if it's a more natural-looking stone material and the animal is well-carved with details.

    Anyway, the popular culture of the South isn't exactly known for its discriminating taste.
    (no pun intended there)
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2020
    Injeun likes this.
  23. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Messages:
    34,608
    Likes Received:
    11,196
    Trophy Points:
    113
    People who do that almost make me want to give praise to homeowner's associations. (almost)
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2020
    Injeun likes this.
  24. Injeun

    Injeun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2012
    Messages:
    12,831
    Likes Received:
    5,961
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Warning, might cause tears:
     
    Moriah and joesnagg like this.
  25. Moriah

    Moriah Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2013
    Messages:
    7,646
    Likes Received:
    2,125
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you for sharing this.
     
    Injeun likes this.

Share This Page