Valentines, like other ephemera, often reflected attitudes of the day that would not be popular or even acceptable now. Figures were sometimes drawn in a way that mimicked black face or exaggerated features to make the figures appear not as human, as vastly different and less-than in status to whites.
Baby, Yo' sho' does play havoc wit mah heart!
2 5/8" x 3 3/4"
Made in Germany
circa 1920s/1930s
Made in Germany
circa 1920s/1930s
Features a racial caricature and text reflecting racial attitudes of the time of its creation. The figure holds a banjo and wears a nice checked hat and spats.
To You Ah wants to AM where YOU IS Instead of Where I BE, 'Cause When I Are Where YOU AM NOT IT AIN'T NO PLACE FOR ME!
6" x 8 3/8"
circa 1920s/1930s
made in USA
This normalization of racist portrayals was not limited to only small segments of the population, but was pervasive. The acceptance of anti-black stereotypes by society at large, by those considered "good" and "decent," made overt institutionalized racism like Jim Crow possible.
circa 1920s/1930s
made in USA
This normalization of racist portrayals was not limited to only small segments of the population, but was pervasive. The acceptance of anti-black stereotypes by society at large, by those considered "good" and "decent," made overt institutionalized racism like Jim Crow possible.
This sure is fine. I'll share it with you if you'll be my Valentine!
Features figure eating watermelon.
While some of these valentines may make viewers wince, its important to remember that it was not all that long ago when images like these were mundane items. Cartoons and advertising employed similar stereotypes as did movies, radio and television.
I'll be MELON-cholly If you won't Be my Valentine.
pair sit on top of a watermelon
Watermelon appears again and again in images of blacks from the 1920s to the 1940s (and beyond, but a bit less frequently). The fruit was used to show blacks as happily content with life as it is. A comforting image for whites to reassure themselves that the racist social structure of the day was just the natural order of things. After all, blacks were happy.
Watermelon appears again and again in images of blacks from the 1920s to the 1940s (and beyond, but a bit less frequently). The fruit was used to show blacks as happily content with life as it is. A comforting image for whites to reassure themselves that the racist social structure of the day was just the natural order of things. After all, blacks were happy.
Cause you're my Valentine I'se gonna be DISH-gusted till yo' shines up to me.
figure washes dishes
circa 1940s
made in USA
circa 1940s
made in USA
See more anti-black stereotypes on the Cannibal Themes page.
Click here to see if we have any Black Americana valentines in stock in our museum store.
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