Lawn Jockeys - What do you think?

[Brian Hammons]

I'm interested in hearing your opinions regarding the use of lawn jockeys as decorative stautes in yards and gardens. Do you still see them in your area? Do you think it is an offensive symbol or culturally insensitive to display one? If it is offensive or insensitive, is it worth displaying to serve as a discussion starter on some of the issues?

[Sara Sheppard]

What is the cultural meaning? I have no clue what they are so they don't offend me....

[Ryan Scott]

Well, I know that originally, all (or most) of the lawn jockeys were black and representative of house servants, so I guess there is that element. I'm not sure it's a big a deal anymore, but of course, you might have to ask someone who's not white to a more reasoned response.

[Barb Bouldrey]

The white lawn jockey is better than pink flamingos.

LOL

Barb

[Jim Franklin]

Around Boise, more and more I see posted posters or constructed signs of the Ten Commandments done in a decorative style. Beside the two flags that I fly I may give that a try.

[Billie Goodson]

I once read that there was some historical significance behind the figures. I will have to research it to see if I can find it again. The story I recall was that a young black male held the horses (Washington's and others) during the Crossing of the Delaware(?). The young boy died is my memory. Off to research it....

[Billie Goodson]

ONE article that talks about the statues (http://www.loudounhistory.org/history/underground-railroad-jockey-statues.htm)

There is debate as to the authenticity of the story. Just an interesting aside. I personally don't like them, if the purpose was to honor an American of any color, there are more fitting symbols and options available.

[Barb Bouldrey]

The picture posted here of the white boy holding the lantern would be cut near a stables or garage or along a driveway.

Barb

[Brian Hammons]

I apologize for the questions seeming vague. I thought the images of lawn jockeys would help clarify the (seeming) issues.

There are a couple of stories surrounding the origin and use of these statues. One of them involves a young boy that held the reigns of General Washington's horse while the troops advanced on the British across the Delaware. Washington returned to find the boy frozen to death. The myth says that Washington had a statue created in memory of "Jocko."

Throughout the early and mid 1800's, these lawn jockeys were common at the entry lanes, especially of the more wealthy part of society. The jockeys would most often be created holding a lantern. These statues became markers on the underground railround. Scarves of different colors would be tied about their arms signaling danger or safety.

Traditionally, the jockeys have been represented as black men. More recently, the re-emergent style is caucasian. I have always be fascinated with them. I see them as a type of historical art, loosely speaking. Sort of like Thomas Hart Benton paintings.

As far as one being a discussion starter, many would ask why I have a lawn jockey next to my drive, and I could in part recount the struggle for civil rights not just of American slaves, but of ethnic groups in this flattened, global community.

I certainly acknowledge that this is not a typical stance, but I am not necessarily interested in being typical. For instance, I carry a pink Razr cell phone. We all know that pink is symbolic of support for breast cancer, usually thought of as a women's issue. People look at me funny, especially my students, particularly my redneck guys. Many ask me (even people I've never met) why I have a pink Razr. I use the opportunity to say that men can be supportive of women's health issues, and that breast cancer isn't just a woman's issue but can develop in men as well. That becomes an easy step to men's issues such as testicular cancer and self examination. Our teen boys need to know that this is among the most treatable types of cancer, that it is considered to be a young man's cancer, and they need to be proactive in regards to their personal health care.

That was a really big bush to dance around, but that's a little bit of my thinking regarding the lawn jockey issue.

[Glenn Harris]

They had an incident a while back where a man put them out in front of his place. Someone in the black community took offense to them because he viewed them as degrading to African Americans. In response, the man painted them white. Another black man took offense at that because he contended that at a time when blacks were mistreated and held as less than equal, jockeys were exclusively black and held in high regard.

I don't remember how he solved the dilemma. He probably got rid of them and bought pink flamingoes instead so he could go from tacky to gaudy.

[John Kennedy]

Kind of reminds me of my grandfather's observation that some people would
'kick even if you hung 'em with new rope'. I can understand the objection of African Americans to the lawn jockey with a black face. The objection cited by Glen is a little more difficult to hand on to. I guess my only response would be that some people think of offense as being like a food supplement and resolve to take some at every opportunity.

The white-face lawn jockey, however, would probably draw heat from the NAAA (National Association for the Advancement of Albinos).