My thoughts on … Blacking Up in Morris

Over the last couple of months, a number of people have asked me for my thoughts on blacking up in morris dancing, so I thought I’d share them.  I’m contributing to this debate because I think it is important to have a range of informed views on an issue that ultimately affects lots of us through the perception of morris traditions.  This is an expanded version of the contribution I made to the Morris Federation AGM discussion on the subject.

My aim is not to ban or prevent blacking up.  My aim is to encourage active thought about the impact of blacking up, contribute to the debate, and maybe change a few minds.

Below is my personal view, and one that has changed over time.  I suspect it will not alter again soon – although I will continue to read and think about others’ informed views.

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For the benefit of non-folkies, this refers to the practice of using thick black makeup by morris dancers.  Around 10% of teams in the country currently ‘black up’ – almost all of which are in the Border or Molly traditions, or who perform mummers plays.

The debate of its appropriateness, which emerges periodically, and has been particularly lively over the last couple of months.  The academic evidence indicates that there have been different reasons that dancers blacked up in the past – both as disguise and as imitation of people of Afro-Caribbean descent, including links to minstrelsy.  Having said that, there are plenty of things with dodgy history that are considered benign now.

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To me morris, like other folk arts, is a living tradition.  As such I am most interested in its impact now rather than its history.  This impact is about perception as well as intent, and negative perception of blacking up is real and multiple – I could name at least a dozen instances of people from BAME backgrounds who are insulted by it (some when asked) and that’s just me.

For me, it becomes a balance between changing make up or disguise of a hobby versus contributing (however unintentionally) to societal inequality.  Costume, to my mind, is trivial compared to encouraging others’ prejudice or reducing inclusion in morris, folk and wider communities.

Others on social media have relayed conversations when the tradition has been explained and found to be okay or acceptable by BAME individuals.  My concern is the conversations we don’t hear that goes on that evening, conversations like:

“Mummy, why were those people wearing black face paint?  Why were you so cross?”

“Because some people don’t like people like us and think it’s okay to mock us.”

OR

“Hey mate, did you see those dancers taking the p**s out of [insert abusive/racist language here] – weren’t they hilarious? Good on ‘em.”

Because of this, I feel blacking up is no longer sensible or appropriate in modern society, and urge those that do to continue to consider their position and the impact of it on our hobby and the wider folk arts.

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There have been plenty of social media debates on this, so I don’t intend get into online debate (for my sanity apart from anything else).  For that reason, I’ve turned off comments on this blog – however obviously people may well choose to discuss it elsewhere.  I am, however, fine discussing the subject with anyone over a pint though if we’re both in the mood!

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As an addendum, there will be doubtless be some who correctly point out that I have voluntary roles with both the English Folk Dance & Song Society (EFDSS) and Shrewsbury Folk Festival (SFF) – two organisations that make a big contribution to the folk arts in this country, but have also have been the focus of recent debate on blacking up.  Some may jump to assumptions about this.  I’d like to add a couple of points of clarification to minimise incorrect assumptions:

* The issue arising at SFF pre-dates my involvement with the festival.  I have been asked for my opinion on a few of occasions and will probably be involved in implementing the new approach.   However the decisions were taken by the two Festival Directors after hearing a wide range of views, of which mine was just one.

Having had a closer view of the SFF issue than many, I would like to add that I can only aspire to the level of dignity, fair-mindedness and consideration to everyone involved that Sandra and Alan have shown throughout the whole episode.  Some of the personal abuse directed at them on social media and in correspondence is unacceptable by any standard.

All official comment or statements will go through the normal channels, primarily the SFF website.

* EFDSS are not driven by any individual – be it staff or a board member like myself.  I have nothing to add to the EFDSS statements issued through the website.  EFDSS will shortly be issuing a summary of the research on the matter, so those interested in informed debate should keep an eye out for that.

* I am not actively campaigning about this issue, just taking the chance to share my personal view on two occasions – in this post and through a contribution to the Morris Federation debate on the issue.  I chose to wait until the mood calmed to make these contributions, in the hope that they can be considered for their content rather than context.  For my own sanity, and time effectiveness, I have chosen to not to get into online debate on this issue.

* Finally, I’d like to reiterate that my aim is not to ban or prevent blacking up (also true of SFF or EFDSS).  My aim is to encourage active thought about the impact of blacking up, contribute to the debate, and maybe change a few minds.