Posted on 07/25/2015 4:36:33 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Contained in the article regarding the fundraiser for the police officers involved in the Freddie Gray case is a description of Al Jolson by the Fraternal Order of Police as an "iconic racist figure." Nothing could be further from the truth and such an egregious slander should not have been allowed to appear in a major daily newspaper ("Venue cancels fundraiser for officers in Gray case," July 23).
It is true that Jolson, as did many of his contemporaries, performed in blackface which was originally a racist form of entertainment growing out of the minstrel shows of the 19th century. However, by the 20th century, it had mostly lost its racist connotations and was simply seen as an accompaniment to a popular style of music of the day.
To tar one of the seminal figures in American entertainment with that brush is a display of gross ignorance. Jolson was the premier figure on Broadway, on records and eventually pioneered the era of sound movies with "The Jazz Singer." Far from being a racist, he befriended black entertainers and promoted their careers. No one considered him a racist.
There was an incident when Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake were previewing their revue, "Shuffling Along," in Connecticut and were refused entrance to a popular restaurant. Jolson was performing in Connecticut at the time and heard about it. Although he did not know them personally, he knew of them, contacted them and invited them as his guests the following night at that restaurant. They weren't about to turn away "The World's Greatest Entertainer," as he was known in his day with little argument.."
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
Why would someone nickname themselves after a group they hate?
To the contrary, those acts are evidence of admiration.
Graham Nash and Allan Clarke performed in blackface as teens. It was a tribute.
Jolson has been the favorite of most of my family for close to a century. Great-grandma was still playing his records in her 80’s, as were my grandparents and parents. There are Jolson records in the room I’m sitting in now. And more in the next room. LOL
I recommend the youtube videos. His voice in later years — even with just one lung left — is absolutely soul-stirring.
Among the best, “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Auld Lang Syne,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.”
Home in Pasadena (1924)
Golden Gate (1928)
Doubtless, many great figures in history were either racists or hated/disliked other ethnicities. Are we supposed to throw out all the good they achieved because they had flaws in their character? Balderdash!
Yes indeed. An American treasure.
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