Ben O. brought our attention to this set of vintage ads (from Found in Mom’s Basement) that all use images of Black male servants.
This one for Cream of Kentucky bourbon was illustrated by Norman Rockwell. I can’t quite figure out what the expression on the Black servant’s face is supposed to convey:
Part of the text reads, “Why did Grand-dad so often take the trouble to get water from the rain barrel for his shave?” For some reason I have a feeling it wasn’t Grand-dad getting the water.
Thanks, Ben O.!
Comments 4
Racism in Bull Durham Tobacco Ads » Sociological Images — November 21, 2009
[...] representations of blacks, see these posts: one, twp, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and [...]
me — December 14, 2009
i think his expression is supposed to convey "Ise brought dis fo ya sah!".. racism at its finest
Jessica — January 8, 2010
is it just me, or does the servant in the first ad look exactly like Mel Brooks in blackface?
Ron — January 29, 2022
I'd like all of these ads on stickers and t shirts. Keeping tradtion alive, whether one agrees with its messages or not, is vitally important.