I have quite a collection of black folk-art, New Orleans historical ‘mammy’s’ and wooden ‘pickaninnys’, adults and children. They are charming and historical. I have black relatives. When visiting my home they have never said a word. If they are offended by what I consider art the offense ends when they go out my door.I can think of LOTS of current black cultural items that offend me.
“I can think of LOTS of current black cultural items that offend me.”
So, you understand how a cultural item may offend someone?
It is a part of “Americana” that can not be avoided when taking in the entirely of American Culture and Folk Art. Different people collect different things. I have a collection of wall crosses from all over the world. One of them is ebony from someplace in Africa. Some might look at the figure on the Cross and find it offensive, since the artist obviously portrayed a figure that looked like himself. The wood is black, the artist was African, so the Jesus looks like a stylized Black Man. It is neither racist, nor is it anti-christian, even though it is historically inaccurate.
The cross from Romania actually has a hand-grip on it...to repel vampires? Some Romanian might say that it is culturally insensitive!