Wednesday, May 12, 2010

jocko

This afternoon, when I used the name "Jocko" in a piece of poetry, I remembered seeing several lawn jockeys, or Yardells, as they're sometimes called, on our recent road trip through rural Missouri and Kansas. They're fairly rare here in Ohio, but I remember seeing them quite often as a little girl. They were just as popular, or maybe even more so, as garden gnomes.

Historically, a lawn jockey was a black man, dressed in a jockey uniform, holding out one hand, as though taking the reigns of a horse. The hand sometimes carries a lantern, or a metal ring, suitable for hitching a horse. These statues are widely considered racially insensitive and many of the remaining statues have been repainted.

However, some accounts of the figure's origin represent a hero of African American history and culture. According to the River Road African American Museum, the figure originated in commemoration of heroic dedication to duty. It is said that the lawn jockey actually has its roots in the tale of one Jocko Graves, an African-American youth who served with General George Washington at the time he crossed the Delaware River, to carry out his surprise attack on the British forces at Trenton, New Jersey. The General thought him too young to take along on such a serious attack, and left him on the Pennsylvania side to tend to the horses and keep a light on the bank for their return. Jocko, faithful to his post, sadly froze to death during the night, the lantern still in his hand. Washington was so moved by the boy's devotion, he had a statue sculpted and cast of him, holding the lantern, and had it installed at his Mount Vernon estate. He named the sculpture "The Faithful Groomsman".

Dr. Charles Blockson, curator of the Afro-American Collection at Temple University, Philadelphia, claims the figures were used in the days of the Underground Railroad to guide escaping slaves to freedom. "Green ribbons were tied to the arms of the statue to indicated safety; red ribbons meant to keep going...people who don't know the history of the jockey have feelings of humiliation and anger when they see the statue..." Blockson has installed an example of the statue at the entrance to the university's Sullivan Hall.

44 comments:

  1. When I was little my grandparents used to have one of these in their front lawn. I used to see them EVERYWHERE. I didn't understand why they slowly disappeared until much much later.

    Honestly I kind of miss the one at my grandparents' house. Everytime I see one of these it brings up a slew of childhood memories.

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  2. Thanks for the information; I didn't know the origins of lawn jockeys

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  3. what an intriguing history...i had no idea...

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  4. Interesting bit of history and unknown to me. I haven't seen them in years, but I remember cringing when I saw the figures, but perhaps more because the way they were painted black and some of the features did smack of racial caricature. The use by the Underground Railroad is fascinating.

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  5. I am always learning things here at your site, my friend. Although I did know about the Underground Railroad aspect of the jockey statue, I did not know about the original of the statue itself. And for that, I thank you.

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  6. I too had no idea. Fascinating. The story of Jocko Graves is so sad. I have always lived in Phoenix, can't say the lawn jockeys are popular here - don't think I've ever seen one on a front lawn.

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  7. I am glad to learn the history of this lawn jockey. I, too, used to see them everywhere. I thought they were definitely racially insensitive and I was glad to learn of their history, actually very noble, indeed.

    Missed participating in magpie this week but was recovering from my son's wonderful weekend wedding! It was such fun and went without a hitch. Pictures are posted. Wish all three of them would get married!

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  8. I've always known the story to be one of a hero and representing loyalty, safety, etc. Love the Jocko!

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  9. Being from Georgia, I used to see them everywhere; They are still visible in parts of the south.

    Some people, who want to use them without a racial statement attached to them, paint their faces white.

    I know the stories about the Underground Railroad and of Washington. I think the statues are a wonderful tribute, but some people - on both sides of the fence - try to make something out of nothing. Unfortunately, there are way too many things that people make much ado about nothing, without knowing the facts. Thankfully, we have Willow Manor to set some things straight, once and for all!

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  10. Flannery O'Connor's short story "The Artificial Nigger" focuses on a Jocko.

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  11. Fascinating history of a statue that I thought was racially motivated. Thanks for delving into its history and erasing the racial overtones. -- barbara

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  12. I've never known the true history of these fun pieces, they've always been so pricey, I've never been able to snag one. A valuable piece of Americana, this piece takes the prize...it doesn't seem right with a white man's face though.

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  13. Interesting indeed. Being a Southerner I have seen many of these little statuesques. Now I can give each a smile with my appreciation.

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  14. I've never seen a lawn jockey other than in a movie. I remember reading about them being viewed as racially insensitive, so it was very interesting to read a different take on that. The image of the young boy frozen to death still holding his lantern is very moving.

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  15. Thank you for this most informative post! I confess to cringing when I saw its subject (I grew up in the South and saw many a jockey), so I found the real origins of jockeys really interesting.

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  16. Why is it racially sensitive if they're painted black, but not so if they're painted white? Maybe they should all be painted green, so that only martians would be upset!

    Fascinating story. Bisou, Cro.

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  17. It's sad when misperception drums out truth. What an amazing story of service and duty.

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  18. How interesting. I had never even heard of lawn jockeys never mind understood their origins. Over this side, a Jock would be someone from Scotland.

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  19. Well, I'd never heard of lawn jockeys before, but I guess you learn something new every day. This was very interesting, thanks for sharing.

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  20. Willow,
    It seems that too many folks shoot from the hip, so-to-speak, and don't bother to look for or at history.
    rel

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  21. Wonderful post! I'm so glad you put the real story out there. Being in the antiques trade for years, I know the value of "Black Americana Memorabilia" - it is part of the history and culture of this country, and unfortunately the history and culture of what our nation did at one time to African-Americans. My grandmother had a Jocko on the front lawn, in the garden, and a new villager (weekend warrior from NYC) came right up on our porch and literally scolded my elderly grandmother and told her to remove it. She was very upset, she just loved her 'little black boy' and that is just what she told the man, along with a bit of Jocko history, she also said he should be proud not appalled!

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  22. That was an interesting read Willow! I knew nothing about lawn jockey's so you have educated me today! Thanks!

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  23. What a fascinating story, Willow. Thank you. (and I'll watch for the Flannery O'Connor story)

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  24. OH my goodness. Willow, I had an antique shop in Fort Lauderdale and had a beautiful Jockey in the window. There was a design shop in the shoping center, the owner was a beautiful and stunning black lady, I always liked her. Well she burst in and demanded I remove the thing out of my window. I asked her why? She said I might as well have a black man eating a water mellon.I really never even thought about it being black. I kept saying I was sorry.After that there was a difference between us.
    It is so awful she would think that I'd do anything to hurt her.

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  25. Hello Willow,

    I had never heard of these characters either. In many ways, I think we must accept the history of these sort of items and not allow ourselves to become too politically correct. Even gollys have returned to the toy world, and so they should.

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  26. If the lawn jockeys are some kind of historical tribute, they why are their faces portrayed so comically? If they represent a child, why are their backs stooped with age or subservience? If this isn't racist against blacks, then why is "lawn jockey" considered an insult? And one final thought, how many of these things are in black people's yards?

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  27. It would be interesting to see the original supposed statue commissioned by Washington. I'm sure it wouldn't have the caricatured features we see in ones from the 19th century.

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  28. I never heard that either! Very interesting. My aunt and uncle bought an old home in NJ and they discovered it had at one time been part of the Underground Railroad--it had neat little hidden rooms and doors in walls, etc. It was a fabulous old home. I haven't thought about that in years...

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  29. Dear Willow you know I love you but I would have to agree with oldpoetsoul. This is disrespectful, for no matter what the original story is, these statues have come to represent a lot of pain to a lot of people.

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  30. Wow. Who knew? I just thought they were racist figurines, like those hideous salt and pepper shakers from the 1940's shaped like stereotypical "colored" people.

    My mother thought they were racist figurines, too. One night during the height of the Civil Rights era, in Kansas City, she snuck around our neighborhood and painted all the lawn jockeys white. I'll never forget the looks on the neighbors' faces when they discovered what had happened. My oh my.

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  31. Reya, your mother sounds like she was quite a woman. I would have liked to have known her!

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  32. It's amazing how our history keeps being added to and how rich it is..thank you for this terrific post..
    Even Washington seemed to be of 2 minds..recognizing a hero at war..a slave at home..

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  33. thanks for sharing that research willow. i got a new wrinkle in my brain. ;-)

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  34. I am not sure about them being using in the days of the underground railroad as there was such hostility then that the person brave enough to put such a statue out would end up being visited by the KKK or worse. Still, the only underground railroad house I know about had nothing to make it seem different or obvious on the outside. Maybe it was just here and along the Ohio river and was different someplace else.

    My neighbor bought one and painted it up and it was in the side yard for years after he moved on and sold his house. I am not sure if it is still there or not. It held a working lamp and was about knee high.

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  35. I used to see those in the South, many years ago, but I'd never read that information about their role in the Underground Railroad. How fascinating!

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  36. Dear Willow: We have plenty of "Jocko's" in Canada, especially around Border towns. To be honest, I thought they were left over residual of racially motivated hate crime.Remembers watching a PBS on "Sambo" type dolls, etc. Doesnt Oprah have a huge collection? Why? Some like Jocko are adorable. I am really glad to hear this story is a good one! The poor dear Jocko, what a hero!

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  37. Very fascinating post. I used to see a bunch of those in Beverly Hills years ago and always thought they were quirky and not very PC at that time. I wonder if there are any interesting things behind the Aunt Jemima Pancake brand name? I had a black lab once and called her Jemima, after Beatrix Potter's "Jemima Puddleduck." When I called for her to come, I got a lot of odd stares. Obviously people thought I was a British racist!

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  38. Dear Willow, As usual, a very informative post Darling!

    L&B Lady D

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  39. Very interesting willow. I have seen a few in antique shops in this country, and wondered about them. And the history is fascinating and surprising.
    However, as others have said, the caricatured face and subservient pose make it easy to see why they are offensive to African-Americans.

    Now, could you explain why the huge Native American in full feathered head-dress outside of tobacco shops? Or have I imagined that from a film I saw once?

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  40. Titus, I must check on the Native American and the tobacco shops. There's got to be an interesting story for a blog post there!

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  41. A very interesting post. I've never seen these (I live in the UK.) They're fascinating, but I can understand why some would be upset by them.

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  42. Oh yeah, I remember them and knowing their "History" doesn't remove the feeling I felt seeing them. Glad they are out of fashion..because I'm sure people thought they were cute and comical...not thinking how they may have hurt others....
    But the history if true is fascinating...not the statue but the child...I must look this up Thank you Willow
    Oh and I love Flannery O'connor

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)