Teachable Moment

In TV news last evening, students of a school in Canada were shown in blackface, arms and legs and faces painted black. It stirred memories of the minstrel shows we used to see years ago. We had a minstrel show in our class at Cove School once or twice, one boy as “Mr. Interlocutor” and two or three boys with faces painted black, representing African-Americans. The interlocutor asked questions and elicited dialogue in which the blackfaced boys said simple, ridiculous, foolish things. It was all meant to be hilarious, and we saw it so.

We were what we knew. We were products of our age, culture, upbringing, regional view of the world. It was an everyday thing to see the Confederate battle flag displayed; what, to us, then, was a symbol of pride, today is in your face. We stood up when “Dixie” was played. “Amos and Andy” were popular on radio. So was Jack Benny’s servant Rochester. Not to mention Al Jolson. We were naive and innocent. Those days are gone in America, along with slavery. We are trying to be better human beings, we are working at it. Responsibilities are more sacred than rights, but some still don’t realize it. Showing the Confederate flag is offensive to many Americans for what it signifies to them. No one of even average intelligence would be so insensitive and offensive as to suggest a minstrel show.

Naive and innocent, but mainly we were ignorant. Some are naive, innocent and ignorant to this day; indeed, each of us is naive, innocent and ignorant in ways we don’t know. We don't see our own sins, but we see the sins of others. Most Americans would consider India’s caste system outrageous and absurd, so with the European notion of “royal blood.” Human is human, and blood is blood: from Abel in the field it all spills red and cries out to God, we are all Sons of Adam.

Browsing the web showed that blackface is not an uncommon phenomenon at colleges. It's unfortunate, but what several college administrators called a "teachable moment." My prayer is that it is naivete, innocence and ignorance; but in this day and age it’s also incomprehensibly harmful, hurtful, offensive, insensitive, unthinking stupidity. It was so in our day and age too, we didn’t realize it. We have been taught and some have learned. 

In America, people have a right to be offensive. Some have better sense. Some can distinguish what is legal from what is moral. Some perceive that humility outranks pride. All can be taught. Most can learn. Some will.

TW+