OlasDAlmighty said:
Gilhelmi said:
Hilarious, well played with the multiple explanation slides.
Although, I could see some younger people not knowing about 'blackface'. I know of one white child who dressed up as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr causing some controversy. Just think, in 20 more years, many young adults will not get 'blackface' references at all, or if they do, not understand the problem with dressing up as their hero (MLK, Pres. Obama, ect.)
They'll know what blackface is for the same reasons you do, from history lessons and a general cultural awareness of the past. It's not like you know about actors in blackface because you actually remember that time period yourself, it's doubtful even your parents witnessed blackface firsthand.
I think you underestimate the cultural awareness the younger children have. They might know something is "bad" but they do not know why it is so. I even have had to explain what blackface was to a person when they read the Rodeo Clown story (the Clown was screwed btw, he had dressed up as EVERY president back to the Nixon era).
I know did not learn about blackface from a history lesson (not in school anyway) I learned what it was from MovieBob. I knew putting black face-paint on was a bad idea, but I never really understood why.
Though, my parents did see blackface first-hand. Father is 78, Mother is 69 (I am only 30, they started late in life). I say this, because the more I learn about history, the more of what they taught makes sense. I could not figure out why they insistent upon equality. To me equality was more of a given. Why would I treat someone else differently because of skin tone? Then I studied 1940-1960s American history (not in school but as a hobby, schools neuter everything), that is the era my father grew up in and served in the Navy starting in the late 50s. I was shocked honestly, so much left out of schools. I knew of Dr. Martin Luther King, but it was not until I actually studied (again not in school, as it was useless or even incorrect at times) MLK that I understood him and the civil rights movement. Again though, I had to take the initiative to understand. School only taught that things occurred, not necessarily WHY things occurred, or the players involved (beyond the major players).
I am not saying school is a complete waste of time. But they only teach so you pass the tests. Only rare occasion, usually when a teacher sees you excelling or takes a liking to you, do they go above and beyond to help you really understand things.
My feelings on this matter are very complicated, I am not sure I put them in the proper words.