wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Joseph:
You say (Quoted)

...pause here...The issue of the "good-ness" or "bad-ness" of the use of blackface after the turn of the century is not as simplistic
...pause here...

I say... Actually, you're taking me out of context...
(...snip...)as Mr. Brown makes in his analysis saying ...pause here...

"It was wrong then, it's wrong now," which is almost child-like in its logic. Life is not always so black and white (oops!)

(end of quote).

I was simply comparing (maybe I was unintentionally comparing, but it was absolutely sub-conscious,I promise!)

...comparing Post WWI Germany and the laws that started to alert SOME jews that the "times, they were a-changing-{to quote Bob Dylan}"
to TODAY's seemingly unrelated, yet
ABSOLUTELY essential
snipping of our constitutional rights
by the current resident (and I say MONARCH) of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

make better sense yet?

The issue of the "good-ness" or "bad-ness" of the use of blackface after the turn of the century is not as simplistic as Mr. Brown makes in his analysis saying"It was wrong then, it's wrong now," which is almost child-like in its logic. Life is not always so black and white (oops!)

Similarly, Mr. Josephson says that blacks found Jolson's use of blackface to be offensive. What is his source on this? I have spent nearly 15 years researching Jolson's life and works and have not found one word of criticism from a critic, audience member, writer, philosopher--anyone! In fact, Jolson was held in high esteem in the black community. Black performers employed blackface and NOT because they HAD to which is populuarly thought, but becuase it had become a theatrical convention. Space prevents me from elucidating further, but I sincerely hope that Mr. Josephson or Mr. Lehrer will correct this foolish hobgoblin.
Joseph Ciolino
New School University

Mr. Mark Brown, Mr. Josephson, Mr. Lehrer:

Mr. Brown's dictum: "It was wrong then, it is wrong now," is easily understood when applied to the equation 2 plus 2 equals six, but the real world presents things to us that are not always so "simple," and such simplistic, almost child-like statements are foolhardy, if not dangerous.

Now what I object to the most (beside Mr. Brown's statement of "truth") is Mr. Josephson's implication that African-Americans found Mr. Jolson's use of blackface to be offensive and, "they could do nothing about it," is the phrase I believe he used. I wonder where you, Mr. Josephson, get your infromations from. In my 15 years of research into the life and career of Al Jolson I have found not ONE instance of such objection. I have found not critic, writer, performer or audience member that offered a single word of protest. In fact, I have found nothing but the highest praise for Mr. Jolson among the black community of the time. These are facts.

It is sad that such knee-jerk reactions are so prevalent in our society. The always lead to misunderstanding and confusion and I would hope that Mr. Josephson will do his best to correct this one.

Thank you.
Joseph Ciolino
New School University

And I'd agree Trevor (about slippery slopes...

But just think:

In enlightened Post WWI Germany, they enacted what were thought for the common good, as GUN control Laws....

And lots of other little things, one at a time.

And a VERY small percentage of German Jews left germany because they saw the handwriting on the wall.

Contrast that to now, where:

a) our "Imperial"(read Dictatorial) President has reduced our civil liberties, and started spying on American Citizens, as well as
b) enacting very draconian laws and
c) PRESIDENTIAL SIGNING statements
d) NPSD-51 (google it) removing the TOTAL rule of American law and vesting the President as a De facto-dictator...

And I am starting to see a HELL of a lot of similarities between Germany THEN (1920's) and
today's environment!

And even though it's "ONLY" the Muslims now, I can very easily see a day when the scapegoat of the majority in the country again starts to
POINT to the JEWS!

And it scares the LIVING DAYLIGHTS (I'm polite here!) out of me.

Markbnj

And I expect (before another 10 years goes by)
that I will one day be arrested for Treason and or "counter-government" views...

But I will gladly sit there in jail at the time for our country's FREEDOM!

My six word Haiku for everyone:

Impeach Cheney
Pelosi Pardons
Democracy Restored!

(yes, pelosi gives blanket pardon to bush, so he resigns.)

AND then PELOSI is relected in the biggest majority as a caretaker/healing PRESIDENT

SPREAD the Haiku!

While antisemitism and blackface can be condemned, arguments to morally judge history tend to become a slippery slope...

Why thank you Joe, but even though I've been listening religiously (and even membership!) for eons, you will likely find more interesting stuff at my blogs...

I think Mark woulda been a more interesting guest!...

Of course Brian, you used the expression, to Larry, "You can be my Scape Goat".

For your non-jewish listeners,
the Scape goat came from the "ancient" prayers at the Jewish Temple.

On the High Holy Day (Yom Kippur) two prime goats, both blemish free, were brought to the temple.

One was selected by lot (chance).
The one selected was grabbed by the horns, and
the High Priest would symbolically put ALL of his (and the Jewish people's) SINS on the goat.

This goat was then led out and let free outside of the Jewish camp, and pointed to Azazel.

The other goat was slaughtered for atonement.

Thus the beginning of the SCAPE goat!

Mark B in NJ

Dangerous to judge the past according to the standards of today? Well, according to that thinking we shouldn't judge the anti-jewish of yesteryear. Black face was wrong then, as it is now. Be consistent in your denouncements.

no comments...