I wake up this morning to two predictable items — the Mummers Parade, and the Inquirer throwing shade.
Does the “paper of record” celebrate the nation’s oldest folk parade, and the #1 winter festival, according to USA Today this year?
It does not mention either.
Demonstrating its menstrual cramps, the paper digs chestnuts out of the fire.
Reporter Mike Newall digs up a handy “entrepreneur based in Philadelphia” named Tayyib Smith to complain about “the structural racism in its DNA.” Reveling in his Woke ignorance, Smith claims the parade is an “abomination.”
I could say the same about the Democratic Party’s “structural racism,” but I’ll bet Smith votes that way.
Just before the racist accusation, Newall writes that “many,” a true word without meaning, “find it inexcusable the city still supports a parade with minstrel roots.”
What’s inexcusable is that a Philadelphia newspaper would let that slime pass.
In point of fact, Mummers’ roots can be traced not to minstrelly, but to 17th Century Europe, Greece before that (Mummer is derived from Momus, the personification of satire), and even to Egypt before that.
Not minstrel roots. That is Newall’s opinion, and it is wrong.
Not racist, because the earliest parades had one or more all-African American string bands.
Now, to be fair, those Black bands dropped out because they felt they were not getting a fair shake from judges. Were they right about that? I have no way of knowing.
The Mummers’ official theme song, “Oh Dem Golden Slippers” was written by James Bland, a Black man.
For the record, masquerading — hiding identity — was and is a Mummer tradition, as is face painting.
The use of blackface was traditional, but was banned in 1964 by the city as being needlessly offensive. My word choice is deliberate. Sometimes being offensive is the only thing that breaks through.
Despite blackface being banned, from time to time some knucklehead or two — never more than that among 10,000 marchers — would smear black makeup on, and smear the reputation of Mummers.
Here’s a mouthful from Newall, in the second paragraph: “In the wake of the Mummer’s Parade latest blackface flap — and a string of other racist and offensive behavior, including depictions of Indians, Native Americans, Mexicans, LGBTQ people, and other groups” the Mummers assured City Council they could do better.
Notice “the string of other racist and offensive behavior” could just as easily been phrased as “widely spaced incidents of what some people see as racist and offensive.
There is nothing intrinsically racist about depictions of Indians, Native Americans and Mexicans. No more so than almost annual depictions of Vikings, Irish, Germans, and Hawaiians.
Offense come only from the deluded who think the recently-invented notion of “cultural appropriation” is a sin, or a crime, or disrespectful.
No culture has the forever rights to what it produces. The Italians don’t “own” opera any more than Blacks own jazz or Jews own bagels or the French own cheese.
The key is what is done with the characters.
String Bands are always celebratory. You should be thrilled they chose you.
The Comics or Wenches, less so.
To understand the Comics requires you to understand they exist to satirize, poke fun, and sometimes, yes, to offend.
Should the city sponsor an event that might offend?
No, it shouldn’t.
And it doesn’t. The city does not sponsor the parade — it permits it. It provides only the same city services — such as police and sanitation — that it provides to any other parade.
And while the parade shouldn’t aim at offense, to not take chances guarantees entertainment as exciting as yogurt.
This afternoon, the Happy Tappers New Years Brigade did a sketch in which they flushed Mayor Jim Kenney down an oversized commode.
Offensive? Not to me, but to him, sure. The Comic who played Kenney stood behind a podium that said, “I don’t want to be mayor,” and wore a fake nose. (Not as big as Kenney’s real nose.)
Offensive? Maybe, but well within the lines of Mummer mimicry.
Newall quotes Philadelphia Mummer String Band Association President Sam Regalbuto as saying, “So we have to be very careful that we don’t do anything that would be offensive to anyone.”
Well, that’s impossible, especially when anyone with half a brain knows there are self-righteous wokesters out there looking for things to be offended about.
Philly prides itself on being a tough town. It’s tough enough to like the Mummers Parade.
And if you don’t like it, don’t watch.
We won’t miss you.
Great article, Stu. I watched with my wife today, as we usually do. I loved that Happy Tappers bit! My wife says to me too bad they didn’t have a giant facsimile of The Philadelphia Inquirer to flush down along with the uber-pathetic Jim Kenney. Happy New Year!
Back at ya.
An aspect of the Mummer’s Parade is that many of the men and women who make our city work from our city departments, take over and have one hellova good time and a blast celebrating the New Year, but also, with their characteristic modesty and gracious understatement, celebrate how critically important they are to all of us by making our city work! Thank you!
A big and appreciative toast to our Mummers.
Hooray!
Stu, as always you illuminate for the non-illuminati….thank you!!!
Thank YOU, Donna.
Too bad that it’s not televised nationally, I’ll bet it would draw more than the Rose Bowl Parade. More Philadephians spread thoughout the country than Californians, at least that would be my guess.
Actually, it can be seen nationally, but you’d have to know where to look.
The String Bands and Fancy Brigades are TV worthy. The Comics, Wenches, and Fancy, much less so for a national audience.
Stu,
Thank you for the post on today’s parade. As a mummer in the comic division for the past 45 years, the shortened route south on Broad street was packed with spectators. I would like to believe this was in celebration of the retiring of Jim Kenney, but maybe it was just the weather combined with people from the area looking for a reason to celebrate the end of a devisive year and hope for the coming year.
The inquirer is biased against the parade as negativity sells and we know they need the revenue.
I hit the greet at 16th and Market around 8 and witnessed what I love about Philadelphia, the positivity, hope and love of true Philadelphians. The crowds, cheering on our members as they strutted through the judges stands, and south on Broad, the simple hugs and well wishes between marchers and spectators. The natural respect that occurs when you greet someone on the street.
Someone cutting and pasting a hit piece put together from Google searches, cannot overcome the history of this parade and the absolute need for it. The ability for the taxpaying citizens to express their opinion in satire or praise is woven throughout the history of the comic division. The celebratory skits of the fancy and string bands are an homage to the cultural fabric of this city.
Thank you for recognizing this.
Thanks Phillyborn. You did not mention your club. Any reason? I marched with Landi for 10 years.
Stu,
I am with Landi, club as the Clubs Marshall along with Ann Landolfi. I joined the comics as a member of the Barrels Brigade.
I know you are an esteemed alumni of Landi and I should have noted the club.
Let’s just agree that Newell’s views are moronic. I absolutely loved the Mummer’s Parade while a Philly native for 42 years. Went to a few, the first being taken by my grandparents in the 1950’s.
You point out the the extremist views of wokeism, yet there is some truth in the meaning and spirit of the word. And there is just as many farcical incidents on the extreme right as well. Stay the middle course, Stu, and please give us examples of the latter as well as the former. Your readers, for the most part, appreciate the balanced view.
Thanks, Mark. I concentrate on misdeeds of the Left because in Philly, everyone else criticizes the Right.
But I do go there, as that lying asswipe Tucker Carlson can tell you. Also, Trump and a few others.
Stu, I have to agree with Mark about you not givng a balanced view. It should not matter what others criticize, you should keep an even and balanced view, which you have not done in quite a while.
I mentioned to you some time ago about not seeing you talk about certain things here that you previously talked about. In your response to me you said something about that you do talk about those things on a place, I do not remember whether it was X (Twitter) or some other place.
I post more on Facebook than here, because it requires less from me. Meaning I can state an opinion in 30 words. Here, it takes a minimum of 400 words.
Can you tell me what subjects I used to go after that I no longer do?
It appears you mostly ignore things that, in the past you, would vigorously go after.
With all of the mess going on with that orange-skinned POS and what he has been saying what he’s going to do if he’s elected received almost no coverage from you but the election for mayor received constant print. While I agree the mayor’s election is very important I believe it pales in comparison to the presidential election.
There are some other things that I could mention but this will suffice for now.
I pay more attention to what he DOES rather than what he says. I will comment about reality, as I have for a long time. You can check my blog. Once we get into the heart of primary season, I will have more to say, but he doesn’t live rent free in my mind, as he does in, ahem, some other people. 😁
Stu, I believe you are a man of your word and I believe what you said.
I just wish it was a true PARADE, where there is continuous movement. The setting up and breaking down of some of the major acts stops the so-called parade dead in its tracks for too long a period. Other than that, it’s Fluffyans showing their unique craziness and just having a good time. By the way, I keep reading a reference to something called the ‘Inquirer.’ What is that?
The herky-jerky style of the parade is a chronic problem. Honestly, it works better on TV.
First of all, I’m pretty sure Newall is a Noo Yawka (I know you are too, Stu, but he clearly doesn’t get Philly like you do).
Second of all, what do you expect from the Inky, whose mission statement these days is “Wokeism first, journalism when convenient?”
Finally, does anyone take seriously anything it prints (other than the self-righteous, no-sense-of-humor wokesters who put it out for their fellow travelers)?
I read it daily (online since chronic problems forced me to cancel home delivery), but purely out of habit, and certainly not to be informed–well, that and the jokes (which, of course, is Philadelphian for “comics”).
I believe Newall hails from Queens, but I’m not sure.
He “gets” the “New” Philly, I get the traditional Philly.
You are correct about the Inky’s orientation, a perverse fascination with everything that is “Wrong” with Philly.
I am afraid some people take it seriously, but less so every day as its circulation drops like a stone. The sad thing is, the clowns whose leadership have ruined the paper remain in charge. There seems to be no penalty for failure.
Never liked the Mummer’s Parade one bit. But that has nothing to do with any racism or exclusion or any of that stuff. I just don’t like it and never have. But it is clearly a Philadelphia tradition (a really, really dumb one IMHO), and I see no logical reason to end it. I simply won’t be watching. My choice, this being America. Rock on.
That is how America should be: take it or leave it, your choice; but don’t force your choice on others. Instead, we’ve become like the old Jack Benny joke: “I didn’t like the movie! Give me everybody’s money back!”
Vince, “take it or leave it, your choice” cannot, and should not, apply to many things. That is why we have laws.
The Parade is fun for a lot of Philly residents. It is a time of reflection and celebration. Out with the old and in with the new. Broad Street and Two Street are great places to enjoy and celebrate while watching the parade. The inquirer’s mission is to view everything from a magnified DEI lens. If another paper or electronic outlet produced local news coverage I would end my Inquirer subscription. Hoping the Mummers parade in its entirety lives in perpetuity for our residents who enjoy the parade.
Stu, thank your for always having the Mummers backs, you have always been fair w/us and when the very small percentage that do stupid shit, you are there to let us know!
We are never going to get fair coverage from the liberal/woke papers, but I can promise you this, the mummers will be around way longer than Inquirer and the people who write for them!
Thanks, Buddy.
Stu, Cheese—and Wine—belong to the Italians. LoL. Spectacular Article.
France has more cheeses than days of the year, and while I prefer Italian wine, France is known for wine more than Italia, which gets the nod on pork products and pasta.
It is also my understanding that one of the.judges asked how many Brazilians the Saturnalians had in their club ( theme was Rio-Brazil carnaval), Downtown’s, how many Mexicans in their club & another club who had Indian costumes, how.Many Native Americans. Are.they serious? These themes were all approved by the Fancy Brigade Assoc. I would like to know how these judges are selected. Many of us have a lot of questions to ask them.
I don’t know if that is true, but I will look into it.
I remember sooomething about groups utilizing ethnic theme’s needing to either consult or incude memers of that ethnic group??? …but I don’t remember accurate details.
The parade is just corny as fuck
If you think the fancy brigades and string bands are “corny,” you have the exquisite taste of a goat.
It must the start of the New Year as it is not time for Mr. Bykofsky’s annual defense of the Mummers Parade. A Philadelphia tradition that even to this day is marred by racism and allowing the local day drinkers to engage in behavior that would normally get them arrested or assaulted. He loves to claim that the parade has no racism by claiming how a long time ago there were Black bands in the parade. Although he has no idea why there haven’t been in such long time. He’s not fooling anyone with his disingenuousness. Or that “Oh Dem Golden Slippers” was written by Black composer, even though the song is well past its sell by date.
But not to worry everyone if you are triggered by this comment. Mr. Bykofksy lives in an echo chamber and an comment he does not agree with will be deleted, because he can’t handle the truth.
Perhaps you would be so good as to list the examples of “racism” in a parade you surely don’t watch.
I’ll wait.
Mummers in Blackface 2020 – https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/02/us/philadelphia-mummers-group-black-face-disqualified/index.html
Why Black Mummers groups don’t exist – https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/12/31/philadelphias-new-years-tradition-reflects-our-racist-past-and-may-overcome-it/
Homophobia & Assault – https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article52761535.html
Brown face & Racism – https://apnews.com/travel-and-tourism-c49af6cc974040edaff984b5ee9da2ed
He forgot to sat “some of my best friends are black” – https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/i-talk-to-black-people-mummer-in-blackface-defends-himself-after-mayor-boots-brigade/2269419/
Here you go Stu.
He forgot to say “some of my best friends are black” – https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/i-talk-to-black-people-mummer-in-blackface-defends-himself-after-mayor-boots-brigade/2269419/
We have no control over our members – https://6abc.com/2020-mummers-parade-blackface-south-philly-string-band-froggy-carr-incident/5805821/
Its not racist, because we got an actual black man to be racist – https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/01/03/man-criticized-wearing-blackface-mummers-parade-african-american/2473726002/
Racism and Transphobia are ok if you call it “satire” – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3381726/Caitlyn-Jenner-mocked-Philadelphia-Mummers-parade-s-Fruit-Loops-box-wenches-dance-Dude-Looks-Like-Lady.html
The Grand List –
In 1963, one week before the parade, concerned about their image for a nationwide broadcast, the Mummers banned blackface for the parade. Angry Mummers picketed the parade magistrate’s home, leading to a reversal of the decision. Concerned about a possible riot, the city called in extra police for the parade.[46] A 1964 city policy officially banned blackface, but some groups have continued to wear blackface into the 21st century over growing protests. However, as of 2017, the use of blackface is extremely uncommon amongst the parade.
In 1985, the South Philadelphia String Band petitioned to use blackface and was denied.
In 1987, Philadelphia mayor Wilson Goode had Mummers photos removed from City Hall because the Mummers appeared to be wearing blackface. Saying the Mummers were not in blackface, a petition resulted in the photos being restored, though not near the mayor’s office.
In 1996, half of the string bands reported having female members. The bands’ captains, though, made it clear to reporters that they did not want to let women in the bands, but felt they had to, due to declining membership.
In 2003, word spread that Slick Duck Comic Brigade was working on a skit involving priests chasing altar boys. Protests from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Diocese of Camden and the Catholic League, and WPHL-TV announcing they would not air the skit led to the group’s cancelling of the skit and claiming it was just a prank.
Goodtimers Comic Brigade’s 2003 entry highlighted the Mummers’ continued use of blackface, skirting of the rules with brown, red, purple and blue makeup and strong references to minstrel shows. Mummers have declared the alternate color choices as a direct protest of the longstanding and frequently flouted ban. The Goodtimers’ stand in for Al Jolson wore dark blue makeup with kinky hair, backed by “a minstrel in blackface on a large poster with ‘Gone Yes — Forgotten Never'”.
In 2009, B. Love Strutters Brigade referenced the charges of discrimination filed against Joey Vento of Geno’s Steaks in the city’s Commission on Human Relations. In the skit, “Aliens of an Illegal Kind”, Arabs had long beards and turbans, Mexicans wore sombreros, and Asian women were depicted as geishas”, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
In 2013, The Ferko String Band offered “Ferko’s Bringing Back the Minstrel Days”.
In 2013, Venetian NYA club presented “Indi-sourcing”, showing a call center with members dressed as Indians being raided by members dressed as Native Americans and moving the call center to New Jersey.
The 2015 parade again featured blackface, along with a satire of the Black Lives Matter titled “Wench Lives Matter”.
In 2016, a group presented a Mexican-themed skit, with all of the performers wearing brownface. Parodies of Black Lives Matter continued.
The same year, Finnegan New Years Brigade performed a Caitlyn Jenner skit showing her pre-transition on the cover of Wheaties box and after transitioning on the cover of a Froot Loops box. A male Mummer, dressed as Jenner, appeared, mocking her Vanity Fair cover announcing she was transgender. News reports showed a Mummer with the Wheaties/Froot Loops sign screaming “fuck the gays!” Social media posts led to two of the Mummers being fired from their day-to-day jobs and ousted from the club.
In 2020, two Mummers were banned from future parades after wearing blackface. In response, mayor Jim Kenney said the city would end the parade “if Mummers leadership does not make immediate changes to better control the parade”. City Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced a bill that Mummers who wore blackface risk a $75 fine and a five-year banishment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Parade#Controversy
Here are the responses Stu will use.
1. Tradition
2. Its satire, you just don’t get it.
3. “Philly Shrug”
This all assumes that Mr. Bykofsky every publishes this post to validate his comment about no proof of racism.
First, note I have approved your moronic list. I think you claim I ban opinions I don’t agree with.
Second, you need to get a life.
Third, since I have a life I won’t take the time to dispute your mish-mash, that does not prove the Mummers are racist, which was the topic, to include homophobia and misogyny.
My column acknowledged racist roots in the parade and the occasional, and unauthorized, use of blackface. You blame that on “the Mummers,” which is like blaming banks for bank robbery. I blame it on individuals.
Now, crawl under your rock until next year.