Secret History of Lawn Jockies

September 18, 2006 2:13 PM

He used to knock over neighborhood lawn jockies because he found them offensive. But then he did some reading on the subject and found out they played a significant part in African-American history.
posted by Oriole Adams (15 comments total)

(Is there a default MeFi login that can be used in case this article requires registration?)
posted by Oriole Adams at 2:14 PM on September 18, 2006

We are unable to locate the page you requested.
The page may have moved or may no longer be available

Facinating
posted by delmoi at 2:16 PM on September 18, 2006

This is the link you want (the poster's is missing the ".html") : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/16/AR2006091600851.html
posted by ericost at 2:17 PM on September 18, 2006

If this is an article claiming that the lawn jockeys were part of the underground railroad, that is a myth that keeps making the rounds. They date to the late 19th century, and went along with the southern revival and Lost Cause movements. I would link, but this post is cruising for deletion.
posted by LarryC at 2:18 PM on September 18, 2006

I found this component of the link especially noteworthy (and I quote):

"For incorrectly linked articles or features
please contact our Customer Care team.
We appreciate your help"

Strong words.

Good words.
posted by CynicalKnight at 2:18 PM on September 18, 2006

(The story about African American quilt patterns having secret messages for escaping slaves is also bogus.)
posted by LarryC at 2:20 PM on September 18, 2006

And all this time I lawn jockeys were just yuppies with riding mowers.
posted by pmbuko at 2:26 PM on September 18, 2006

... I thought ...
posted by pmbuko at 2:27 PM on September 18, 2006

The figure is black, clothed in red trousers and suspenders and an open yellow shirt. He stands perfectly upright with a lantern in his hand. His face is inscrutable.

I read all the way to the end of the story, and all I could think was, 'Wait, wouldn't that make him Chinese?'

I'm going to hell, I know.
posted by jacquilynne at 2:29 PM on September 18, 2006

(The stories that everyone tells in New England about their house being used as an Underground Railroad stop are also bogus. Except for a few instances.)
posted by Mayor Curley at 2:30 PM on September 18, 2006

A refutation of the WaPo article.
posted by caddis at 2:33 PM on September 18, 2006

Underground Railroad Quilt Code Myth

stories that everyone tells in New England about their house being used as an Underground Railroad stop

In Joplin, Missouri where I work there are several houses with underground passages that are always touted as parts of the underground railroad, though the town was founded in the 1870s.
posted by LarryC at 2:48 PM on September 18, 2006

That Cannadian company. LawnJockey.com, which makes new jockeys because nobody else is, is quoted as:

Johnson said he was unaware that the statues carry any emotional, racial overtones and knew nothing of their history.

O'RLY?

posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 2:52 PM on September 18, 2006

Ack! The link worked when I tested it in preview. So sorry for the problems.
posted by Oriole Adams at 3:05 PM on September 18, 2006

so... the link'd article doesn't really say much other than some people like them, some people don't...

not much History there, 'cept for the origin part... some say they were used in the underground railroad, some say that's bull-hunk
posted by hatsix at 3:25 PM on September 18, 2006