An Inclusive Litany

7/13/94

A California man who had a lawn ornament depicting a Negro jockey placed on his property was accosted by a visitor from Africa, who voiced his displeasure and offense at what he saw as a racist and patronizing depiction of blacks. Rather than take it down, the owner painted it white, so that the statue now depicted a Caucasian jockey. A black minister subsequently complained of the change, saying that the statue depicted an aspect of black history that he felt proud of, since black jockeys were honored pioneers.