Many of my black school friends' families had these all over their mantels, end tables, and refrigerators. I saw these all the time in junk/antique shops, thrift stores, country gift shops, and so on in Mississippi.

Many black people use the term "nigger" as well, but it is still racist as fuck outside of that context.

Whether or not black friends have these sort of knick-knacks does not remove my horror of the overt racism of selling them in the first place.

Is it that as a Northerner I’m more uncomfortable around issues of slavery, than, say, a Southerner would be?

I don't think so. I'm Mississippian and this crap disgusts me.

I think maybe you and most of us rational humans are more uncomfortable around issues of slavery than racist douches would be, though...

All I can say is, welcome to the South. The uncomfortable truth is that racism is still very much alive, despite all of this "progress." My neighbor, a very sweet lady, flies a confederate flag in her back yard.

I did not venture into any of those shops. Wow.

Is it that as a Northerner I’m more uncomfortable around issues of slavery, than, say, a Southerner would be?

Issues of slavery? No. Images of slavery? Perhaps. Having grown up in Georgia and transplanted myself to NYC, I do notice that my reaction to overt racism is less knee-jerk than folks raised in the New England states. This doesn't mean that I'm complicit, just that it's not as shocking to me. This no doubt has to do with the prevalence of this type of imagery in the South. I mean, has anyone ever been to Stone Mountain? It's an entire park dedicated to praising the Confederacy with a Mount Rushmore-type carving of three Confederate leaders (Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis) on a large, exposed piece of granite. Every night they put on a laser show honoring these men and playing songs like Elvis' "An American Trilogy". Confederate flags are proudly displayed in front of houses, on the backs of cars, on t-shirts, etc. It's not something I'm proud of, but it is something that I don't feel as taken aback by as my Northern friends.

consider these figurines:

http://www.fareastdecorave.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/chinese-figurines.jpg

http://www.marys-antiques.com/images/5021.jpg

http://www.wholesalenc.com/images/blackmusicians-2.jpg

and especially:
http://www.displaystatues.com/images/lgfibpolit1802.jpg

perhaps we shouldn't pretend the past did not exist. i'd also like to hear more about that first comment...

Anna, I don't think anyone's trying to forget that past. To do that would be equally disenfranchising and insensitive.
What's being said is that we should know better now, and that 'remembering the past' does not require the continued manufacture and perpetuation of racist objects like these, or some of the figurines you showed us (did you post the images of the white figurines to imply racist representation there too? I'm confused where figures of white people, made by white people fit into this conversation...)

A similar conversation is being had (by the conscientious) about the perpetuation of racist, outdated stereotypes of Native American peoples (see cigar store Indians, and several sports team mascots that shall not be named...they know who they are). A topic highly unaddressed by popular culture, despite its prevalence.
I realize that, even for me, these 'blackface' dolls make me more uncomfortable than the images of red-skinned men with tomahawks, and I wonder why I'm not equally repulsed. Are we being raised with the idea that one set of people will be less offended by prevalent racist representations of themselves than the other?

Thank you, eruvande. I'm from Tennessee, and this disgusts me as well. Can we put an end to this Northern = less racist than the South trope? It is generally more overt in the south, but it doesn't mean some southerners aren't just as appalled as people from the north.

As a northerner myself, I think it's important to clarify that Northerners aren't less racist than Southerners, they just express it differently. Instead of the overt celebration of the Confederacy and whatnot, Northern whites oppose the regional integration of racially segregated schools using the coded language of "maintaining school quality." Northern whites are quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) outraged about affirmative action. And so on.

So, yes, we should be horrified by the physical tokens of racism in The South, but we should be more worried about the racist beliefs and structures that exist throughout our society

I find it creepy, but unsurprising. I think it just points to the fact that the vast, unfortunate majority of citizens of the US still don't understand what the "problem" is with images of this type. Just like they don't get why there are "women's studies" courses but not "men's studies," why there is a "black history" month but no "white history" month, etc. Ignorance.

some other examples of extreme racist/sexist souvenirs: http://horrors.wordpress.com/

I really hate this apologism; the southern US really isn't that bad because hey, the northern US is racist too.

Sorry but no. There are levels of racism. From those who don't realize their being racist to those that realize they are discriminatory and try to correct their behaviour to the crazy psychotic KKK, neo-Nazi level. Flying confederate flags, knowing full well it's place in history and selling "mammy" kitchen decorations is more racist then the occasional individual who opposes affirmative action outright.

In the south it is simply more socially acceptable to be racist. Are there racists in the North? Are there racist social constructions in the North? You bet your ass. But to say they are just as damaging as the attitudes in the south is just completely dishonest. You might as well try to claim that Hitler wasn't more damaging then any other anti-Semite to come along. And given the lynching history of America I don't think that analogy is too out of place.

There is a piece written by Steven C. Dubin called "Symbolic Slavery: Black Representations in Popular Culture" that responds to these cultural artifacts. His thesis, if I recall, was that these figurines work to reinforce master/slave relationships, normalize violence against people of color, and reinforce white supremacy. A good read...

that's the kind of thing that makes me want to throw my coat on a little too exuberantly in the store and OMG! accidentally sweep that whole display on to the floor.

I love this blog and this is an interesting topic. I'm surprised more ppl haven't jumped into the fray on this.

@ Hypatia- i would actually tend to disagree. Racism is racism and I know that I have different reactions to overt racism and covert racism when I am the target. I'm a black female and in my life I have been called a "nigger" many times. When that overt racism happend it just pisses me off but i can actually deal with it better than when I have to deal with covert racism. The covert institutionalized racism is often the type that I face daily and it pisses me off but also makes me feel helpless. How can I prove that i'm being discriminated against when someone requires all sorts of documentation of my credit worthiness when I am tryign to get an apartment? Documentation that I know for a fact isn't required of lighter skinned friends that I have. Believe me this has happened. it's those small infractions that add up.

The south is a different place b/c of it's history and it's a history that still lives on. But the north is really no better in a lot of respects. I never saw a mammy figurine until I moved to philadelphia and someone was selling it. Every year at a certain gay pride event a man sells negrobilia (that's what this stuff is called btw). It's offensive every time and happens in the middle of the city.

Finally, doesn't this whole piece speak to how far we haven't come? Just b/c our society has selective memory around the issue of race doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. the civil rights movement happened about 40 years ago, that's not that long and can't possibly be enough time for 400 years of history to be erased! What you saw just illustrates that point.

The North is just as racist as the South. We Northerners like to bury our inert racism with PC knee-jerkism. I don't but any of it. As the song from Avenue Q says, everyone's a little bit racist. Anyone who says they're not is a damned liar.

Blacks and whites collect that stuff down in the deep south. Now, it is a little concerning to see this memorabilia still being produced, but I think the original antiques are quite fascinating and represent a very interesting piece of American culture.

Yes, as a Savannaian, I will admit that racism is a Profound issue in this city. And No, black Savannaians who actually have the a capacity to interpret this stuff Do not accept it as being 'okay'. This city thrives of the unspoken and socially acceptable racism that exists here. Those few of us who have spoken up about some of the issues have found ourselves victims of blacklisting, slander or worse. Though Savannah likes to present itself and its openly racists institutions as 'Tolerant' or diverse. They are anything but. Only those who are liked minded and or comfortable with issues of blatant economic inequality and segregation are cool with this place. Thus the high number of white South Africans, Australians, Michiganites, New Zelanders and open BNP supporters in this area. Savannah and it's white citizens would like to believe that they represent a breed of cultured stock. Much like those who reside in the world's most famous cities. However, the trailer park has been traded for low end BMW's and that, they believe grants them access in a world of 'cultural enlightenment'. One does not have to look too far below the surface to see the ugly face of racism and hate. The window dressings and moc cultural events are clearly used to mask some very serious issues. That exists in this extreme rightwing, anti-black male, anti-diversity community. Aping 'liberals' in dress does not make one a liberal. Nor does it trick others into believing that a place firmly rooted in Hate and Racism can all of a sudden transform itself over night. There is no art here, nor is there any culture. there is only hate, asks some of the people who are on the receiving end of it. But then again, as they like to say here. The "blacks" are the real racists. Check the numbers for unemployment, incarceration and population and you will find your answer.

If not, then the past and upcoming publicly supported displays of Neo Confederate demonstrations, that, as the Savannah newspaper put it, "presented to help preserve confederate values" may help some to consider otherwise. In a place littered with confederate monuments. Does it take a rocket scientist to see what is so clear? In the case of this Town, yes it does.

Do you think that's bad, try this...

Always Remember, Savannah is a place of "diversity".

1933 - 2009

http://frostupload.com/filestore/c9/2SKE2MlURY.Screen_shot_2_2009-10-25_at_6.33.26_PM.jpg._

Keep your yankee liberal ass in Main or come and stay in Savannah for longer than a few days and see that the people that you feel so sorry for (the blacks) are ten times as racist than whitesand will rob you at gun point and if your lucky they wont shoot you in your face afterwards

OK, so it's a funny story how I got here to this blog. I was actually LOOKING for similar figurines. I am a black woman and if I should weigh in, I am a first generation Northerner on my mother's side. I had not owned any of this stuff but when in Grenada last week I found myself buying one (that held a scrubby dish thing) for my mother. I noticed, based on a little wooden pickaninny figure she'd co opted from me in the past, that something about that kind of thing...I don't know--anyhow I got her one almost entirely identical to the one you show, AND one for me. In the gift shop, next to the mammy one was a brown one, prettily depicted--not a caricature but like a celebration of miscegenation. It did a number on my head and I fluctuated like mad yet I bought the brown one for my Dominican mother-in-law, who denies her African roots. Funny how while in one way, I embrace the image (not the caricature aspect)but for the meaning I give it--the idea of reclaiming a fore mother of mine( who certainly would not have been let to love me) and bringing her near me (keeping my company in the kitchen); I am also reminded of my Black, Muslim mother who modestly covered her head, like many other women of the diaspora. I realize that this is NOT the point. It's the Double Consciousness--I am outraged too, and surprised at this glorification of the rape of Mother Africa and the unfathomable exploitation of a people with especial regards to enslaved African woman and her descendants. Yet I came online looking for the brown one to go with the black one.

These images are usually taken way out of context. These look exactly like Aunt Jemima, which I agree is an outdated and probably irresponsible image. But these are not images of slaves, most are images of caregivers that worked in homes all over the south after slavery and through until the 20th century. They were nannies, cooks, maids, that lived with families, or on a families property. Free people with jobs. Not glamorous jobs, but jobs. They were usually thought of fondly, and even more so by the children, whom they practically raised. These images are from that era, and are outdated, but not racist. It's part of the history of the south, just like any confederate flags. Confederate flags do not necessarily mean racism, the war was not fought over the single issue of slavery. State's rights, and the power of central government over states had been a hot issue since the founding of our country. Southern planters were trying to hold onto their way of life which wrongly included slave labor. It was ignorant, but not uncommon for the time. What proceeded was decades of former slaves, working the same fields for paltry pay. But this culture in the south included many poor white families as well, even up into the nineteen fifties and sixties. We don't love or justify the evils of our past, but we don't pretend like they don't exist either. Now, being from Savannah, I have seen newly made souvenirs that are blatantly racist in nature, representing black children with their hair in wild braids, with bright red lips, and eating watermelon. There is no place for this kind of ignorance in the South anymore. These items reflect the views and beliefs of the owners of these stores and should not be taken as the beliefs of all southern people. As an educated person, I know that you can realize the difference.

Slaves were only present in Georgia, from slightly before 1700 until 1865. For many decades after this, a lack of access to education and discrimination by some whites, led to inequalities and violence that was felt by many generations into the 1960's. Noone here is keeping you from attaining your dreams anymore. President Obama, and the countless other successful African Americans in this country do not blame their problems and defeats on racism and white people. My family never owned slaves, but I am constantly reminded how because I am white I am the cause and the target of seething hatred. Slavery was evil, is evil, it has gone on since the beginning of time, and it will continue to go on somewhere in the world where a group of people can profit from taking advantage of another. We may never be able to stop it everywhere, but it was stopped here. Make your own way in life, educate yourself, rely on noone else and you will be confident that you have achieved something that noone handed to you, and that noone can take from you. As evil as it was, constantly looking back to something that is long gone will only foster hatred and ill will from both sides, which will only result in anymosity and mistrust and to us never being one people, Americans.

This is one reason why racism still exists in Savannah.
http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-06-05/cuts-threaten-pregnancy-program-savannah-teenage-mothers

Dummy