NON-WHITE AMERICA IN NORMAN ROCKWELL’S PAINTINGS – HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, JANE ALLEN PETRICK

[sheshe2]

Jane Allen Petrick has written a wonderful book about Norman Rockwell, the artist and his work. It focuses on the “invisible people” in his painting, the non-white children and adults who are his legacy.



For many readers, this book will be an eye-opener — although anyone who visits the Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts or takes a serious look at Rockwell’s body of work can see Norman Rockwell never portrayed a purely white America. This perception of Rockwell’s work is a gross injustice to a man for whom civil rights was a personal crusade.

This country’s non-white population were in Rockwell’s paintings even when he had to sneak them in by a side door,figuratively speaking. Black people, Native Americans and others are anything but missing. Rockwell was passionate about civil rights and integration. It was his life’s cause, near and dear to his heart. Yet somehow, the non-white peoples in his pictures have been overlooked, become invisible via selective vision. They remain unseen because white America does not want to see them, instead choosing to focus on a highly limited vision which fits their prejudices or preconceptions.

Ms. Pettrick tells the story of Rockwell’s journey, his battle to be allowed to paint his America. It is also the story of the children and adults who modeled for him. She sought out these people, talked to them. Heard and recorded their first-hand experiences with the artist.

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Read More http://teepee12.com/2015/02/28/non-white-america-in-norman-rockwells-paintings-hidden-in-plain-sight-jane-allen-petrick/







I have my reasons for posting this tonight. I said I embraced an America that no longer held a white majority. Why, as a white woman did I say that? Well for one thing I love the color of people.

I majored in art. When you blend certain colors together, you find a new color. Each color is different, sometimes subtle and sometimes more vibrant than the last. My family, one side Irish they blended with AA, damn they are vibrant. On the other side, Irish/ German blended with Japanese. Their child went on to marry Hispanic. Their colors are sweet and subtle and they are so very beautiful.

I believe in the color of change. Census shows that by 2040-2050 white Americans will no longer be the majority. Yes, the point I made was that I will embrace that with open arms I believe in diversity and that it will make us a better Nation. I love color, all colors are beautiful.

[LiberalArkie]

1. Thank you.

[sheshe2]

14. Thanks, I got a hide for saying...

I embraced a non white America.

[LiberalArkie]

29. Things are ridiculous right now, But I can't believe a hide for that.

I will be glad when the primaries are over and everyone can get back to gripeing about normal stuff.

[Amimnoch]

38. From across the aisle.. here here!

Cheers to that!

[heaven05]

34. I'm not surprised

at the hide. Lot's of ridiculousness here, now, from many.

[sheshe2]

47. heaven!

I have missed you.

[heaven05]

53. thank you

missed you and some others, also.

[Iliyah]

2. First picture and documented in the history books for now, although GOPers are pushing otherwise

November 1960, six year old Ruby Bridges "needed police protection" to enter and attend an all white school in New Orleans.

American history is so important to learn and hopefully not make the same mistakes and move forward as Human Beings.

[sheshe2]

3. I did a great Op about her.

I saved that thread. I talked about her teacher and her Marshall escort. Sadly most of the image links are now broken.

Here if you wish to read. An amazing child turned woman.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1102&pid=15430

[mcar]

4. Lovely

Thank you she.

P.S. That was a bogus hide IMO.

[sheshe2]

5. Thanks mcar.

Luv ya~

[Iliyah]

6. K & R

History

[JohnnyRingo]

7. K&R

I've been a fan since I was a young boy in the '60s. We got the Saturday Evening Post, and it was always a treat when his art graced the cover. One of my first book reports in grade school was his biography, and I don't think I ever enjoyed a school report more. Looking back, the teachers may have thought I was odd.

Thanx for posting.

[sheshe2]

23. It needs to be said. Thank you.

[MisterP]

8. and of course

[GliderGuider]

36. That painting still tears at my heart.

One of the first folk songs I learned to play when I was about 14:

Goodman and Schwerner and Chaney

Words and Music by Tom Paxton

The night air is heavy, no cool breezes blow.
The sounds of the voices are worried and low.
Desperately wondering and desperate to know,
About Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney.

Calm desperation and flickering hope,
Reality grapples like a hand on the throat.
For you live in the shadow of ten feet of rope,
If you're Goodman and Schwerner and Chaney.

The Pearl River was dragged and two bodies were found,
But it was a blind alley for both men were brown.
So they all shrugged their shoulders and the search it went on,
For Goodman and Schwerner and Chaney.

Pull out the dead bodies from the ooze of the dam.
Take the bodies to Jackson all accordin' to plan.
With the one broken body do the best that you can,
It's the body of young James Chaney.

The nation was outraged and shocked through and through.
Call J. Edgar Hoover. He'll know what to do.
For they've murdered two white men, and a colored boy too
Goodman and Schwerner and Chaney.

James Chaney your body exploded in pain,
And the beating they gave you is pounding my brain.
And they murdered much more with their dark bloody chains
And the body of pity lies bleeding.

The pot-bellied copper shook hands all around,
And joked with the rednecks who came into town
And they swore that the murderer soon would be found
And they laughed as they spat their tobacco.

[classof56]

70. I appreciate you posting this.

I hadn't heard of it before, just now watched Tom's YouTube video, also his duet with Annie Hills, "Birmingham Sunday", which I saw Joan Baez sing at a concert in Denver in the 60s. Both tunes are heartwrenching, bring tears and a deep sense of shame about that chapter in our nation's history. I'm in my 70s, and thought by now there would be real change and we'd have risen above the ugliness that prevailed in our society all those years ago. It appears I was wrong, sad to say.

Blessings.

[Hekate]

9. By 2040? That's in my lifetime, gods willing (I was born in '47)

Nice OP. I always liked Norman Rockwell.

[sheshe2]

25. Me...'52

Thank you sweet Hekate

[Hekate]

28. Just got back from Hawai'i ...

50th High school reunion ... It's all about the diversity, where I come from.

[sheshe2]

48. I hope you had a great trip!

~ and a 50th reunion to boot.

[Hekate]

60. It was phenomenal

[Spazito]

10. Stunning OP...

both the subject of Norman Rockwell and your very moving words on the beauty of color, all colors. The color of change is the ultimate beauty.

[sheshe2]

12. Sigh~

Last edited Mon Nov 2, 2015, 05:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Thank you Spazito.

I needed to post this. I woke to a hide this morning. I was late to a meeting and had to run.

Someone said this about me. They are so very wrong.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1187&pid=30891

I was embracing the beauty, the color of change and was accused of hatred and racism.

[Spazito]

33. I saw that hide and thought it was so wrong...

I understood what you were saying in it and it was truthful not hateful and racist in any way.

One possible good thing that came out of that hide is this OP, it is so beautiful, powerful and a truth that needs repeating over and over again if necessary.

[zentrum]

11. He voted for the Socialist

…..Presidential candidate, Norman Thomas, in 1948. In those days, many progressive positions were called "socialist" by the Republicans, but they were just democratic in the true sense of the word.

[blackspade]

13. Out of sight!

Great post.

[sheshe2]

24. Thanks~

[lovemydog]

15. Great post.

Love diversity. Love Rockwell's art.

[sheshe2]

17. Hey you~

I needed this thread after a hide last night embracing diversity. Who knew!

[lovemydog]

18. Hey!

Fuck them haters.

[sheshe2]

20. Love you~

[lovemydog]

21. Backatcha.

[randys1]

46. Can you link me to the thread or hide. I dont blame them for needing to shut you up.

I mean a non white America is frightening to so many, so we cant blame people for reacting with fear when their power is threatened.

And their power is not only being threatened, it is going to be taken, and soon. Not soon enough for me.

And by taken, I mean that over time the ugly and ignorant white folks will lose all power to the good white folks and non white folks.

Taken, given up, however you want to say it.

[sheshe2]

52. Here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1187&pid=30891

It was a good thread, posted in AA.

[Cha]

16. Beautiful paintings by Norman Rockwell's Other America Love that America is so diverse.. all colors

and a Rainbow!



http://art-paper-scissors.blogspot.com/2012/01/mlk-inspired.html

Mahalo for your OP, she~ I feel bad for those who don't embrace the colors

[sheshe2]

19. Beautiful image, Cha.

I love it and I love color.

Their problem if they do not.

[lovemydog]

22. You're right Cha.

That one is beautiful!

[Hoyt]

30. Really enjoyed this thread. Great way to wake up on a rain grey day.

[betsuni]

31. K&R

[Kind of Blue]

32. Thank you, sheshe!

A lovely post to start off the week. Mr. Blackwell has been one of my favorites forever because I could find myself in many of his works, treating his subjects always with dignity. My family used the one below as a Xmas card for as long as I can remember until I setoff on my own at 19.

I think it was two years ago that I saw a lecture/speech by Ms. Bridges. She was so funny starting off with, "I'm Ruby Bridges and I'm no longer six years old" "I say that because so many people are expecting a six year old girl because of the Rockwell painting. How cute is that???

Yup, I just know I'm the little girl on the bottom left in my school uniform and the little boy in the middle who remembers living in Africa

[BumRushDaShow]

39. As a side note, Pope Francis was shown that when he went to the UN in Sept.

[Kind of Blue]

43. Thanks, BumRushDaShow!

It's nice to see the actual size. And even the angle and distance does not dull its magnificence. It had to be a must-see for the pope.

[BumRushDaShow]

49. It was pretty cool

They had him sign the guest book that is in that room.



Then the photo-op with the Secretary General (Ban Ki-Moon) next to the picture (where you can really see the scale)!

[Kind of Blue]

63. I can't believe I lost my thank-you for this

posted earlier.

Entyway, I said yes, pay homage to the ideal of humanity. And I feel as if I just went to a fantastic gallery opening for just one painting.

Thanks, BumRushDaShow

[BumRushDaShow]

64. And thank you for the thread!

I had posted in another thread last week to a comment about the old "bandana and stick" imagery of the homeless back during the Depression through into the '60s and illustrated it with a Rockwell image on a Saturday Evening Post (and ended up getting a reply about that magazine and retorting about Rockwell and his famous depiction of the little one being escorted by marshals, with that painting now hanging in the White House and the depicted little girl now a grown woman who got to see it there)!

[Lisa D]

41. I've never seen that painting before.

It's breathtaking! Thank you for posting it.

[Kind of Blue]

45. OMG, there was always incredible

excitement at my house when those boxes of cards arrived. The lettering were in gold and raised. I'd run my fingers over them again and again. The whole thing was just so well done to complement the painting, especially the velum paper just perfectly torn and frayed at the edges. Brings back so many joyful memories.

[ChazInAz]

42. My favorite Rockwell.

I always thought of myself as the Ashkenazi kid in red, center left.

[Kind of Blue]

44. So cool that we can always find ourselves in his paintings.

[sheshe2]

61. Whoosh....

That painting takes your breath away, oh my, I am not sure when I will get it back.

Thank you so much for posting that, it is mind blowing, Kind of Blue.

[Kind of Blue]

62. LOLOL!!! I know, they better

give back your painting!

Thanks, sheshe2. You started my day on such a high note and it's so nice to end that way on just one thought of harmony. You're too cool

[sheshe2]

75. That image sends chills down my spine.

It is incredibly beautiful in so many ways.

Thank you for posting it, Kind of Blue.

[SunSeeker]

35. A lily-white world never existed in America. Diversity is America.

The cause for the angst among some is that people of color have entered spaces previously reserved for whites--including the White House. These exclusion zones were where an artificially created white world existed. Those little white worlds are becoming fewer and fewer, much to the horror of some and to the delight of the rest of us.

You stating that and getting a hide is total bullshit and reflects badly on DU.

[femmedem]

37. Decades ago, I had an AA boyfriend who grew up in the Berkshires

He has an oil portrait of his mother--just a sketch, really, but beautiful--by Norman Rockwell, and he said that various members of his family modeled for his paintings.

Thanks for this lovely post. I'm another white woman--also another art major--who looks forward to the day when we don't hold majority status.

[sheshe2]

76. I love you for your post.

Thank you femmedem.

[Lisa D]

40. Great post!

[Bucky]

50. It's a misleading to say minorities are "hidden" in Rockwell's paintings

Interracial and civil rights themes are among his most famous subjects. There's nothing "surprising" about any of this to anyone who's ever looked at his paintings.

I do have to wonder how that little Dutch girl in the wooden shoes qualified as an illustration of Rockwell's paintings of "non-white" models.

[sheshe2]

51. Well,

Judging from the color of her skin and her hair, I would say she is a POC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-Dutch

[Kind of Blue]

55. Well, now that'll get us into the

topic of PoC in European Art History. Check out Medievalpoc on tumblr, fantastic blog and recently featured on NPR.

http://medievalpoc.tumblr.com/
http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/12/13/250184740/taking-a-magnifying-glass-to-the-brown-faces-in-medieval-art

[Starry Messenger]

54. Art major too here. :)

Wonderful thread, sheshe.

[sheshe2]

56. We are kindred spirits, I knew it!

I only have one painting I kept, one of my favorites. One drawing as well. My family have a few. Lol~ My niece actually has one I did in 6th grade.

Do you still work with a medium?

Thanks Starry.

[Starry Messenger]

57. Ceramics and drawing. I teach ceramics, so I keep a hand in.

I don't really produce much, not much time. Just enough to make sure my students know I know what I am doing.

I am trying to teach myself more digital stuff, it saves room in the house!

[sheshe2]

58. You teach art then?

I envy you. I changed to art as a major from elem. ed. I needed another year to get both degrees. Not enough money for more.

Yet I use my art in visual design for clients. I am in furniture sales, most is rote work, yet I love when I can use my skills.

[Starry Messenger]

59. I do, I teach high schoolers through a community college concurrent enrollment program.

I'm an adjunct, but I work with youth. I like kid art and teens, so it works out. I do communications work with my union, so I get to be creative there too.

I'm glad you find a way to keeping bringing your creative skills to your work! Artists are students of the human condition, it's probably why we find other creatives in here! Bravenak is taking art classes too!

[kwassa]

65. I am also an art teacher. A bunch of us here.

[sheshe2]

68. ;)

We rock!!!!

[teepee12]

66. Thanks for the re-blog!

I was caught off-guard by the bump in readership on this post ... then REALLY surprised to discover it on a website I've never visited and for which I had to create an account ... just to say "thank you." I was a even more surprised to discover this was an original article by YOU since I wrote it ... and this isn't the first time I've published it. Nonetheless, I'm glad it's getting some views. Book reviews don't "sell well" on my website.

Thank you!

Norman Rockwell has never gotten the credit he deserves. I'm sure if he were still alive he would be appalled to have somehow become the poster child for white America. He was such an ardently in favor of multiculturalism -- long before it was a "thing." My husband had the honor of interviewing him ... one of his first interviews after he started working for channel 7 in Boston. He remembers Rockwell as one of the rare people who welcomed a Black reporter in a previously all-white New England media.

This is a good little book. Well-written, well-researched. Personal and heart-warming. There are a few good guys who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Rockwell deserves credit. So does the author who will (I'm sure) appreciate selling a few copies of her book.

Marilyn Armstrong - "Serendipity" - http://teepee12.com/2015/02/28/non-white-america-in-norman-rockwells-paintings-hidden-in-plain-sight-jane-allen-petrick/

[sheshe2]

67. I am not sure what you are saying here.

I was caught off-guard by the bump in readership on this post ... then REALLY surprised to discover it on a website I've never visited and for which I had to create an account ... just to say "thank you." I was a even more surprised to discover this was an original article by YOU since I wrote it ... and this isn't the first time I've published it. Nonetheless, I'm glad it's getting some views. Book reviews don't "sell well" on my website.

I posted 4 paragraphs. I gave your link. I never stated that I authored it. Are you accusing me of something?

I loved your post and wanted to share it. I don't understand the problem. I shared YOUR site with another.

Read More http://teepee12.com/2015/02/28/non-white-america-in-norman-rockwells-paintings-hidden-in-plain-sight-jane-allen-petrick/

Read More http://teepee12.com/2015/02/28/non-white-america-in-norman-rockwells-paintings-hidden-in-plain-sight-jane-allen-petrick/

[Kind of Blue]

72. I'm not sure either?!?!?

But her oversight does not in the least diminish this thread.
You done good, sheshe2!

[sheshe2]

74. Thanks and hugs backatcha!

[sheshe2]

69. Say the word.

I will delete my post.

Let me know your decision.

[randys1]

73. I think the author misinterprets the way we do copy and paste, links, etc.

Her work is excellent, so thank you, to the author.

[lovemydog]

79. It's a very nice article. Thanks for writing it.

Keep up the great work.

[classof56]

71. K&R, with many thanks for posting this, sheshe.

And a thousand blessings to you for your loving heart, compassion and courage.

[sheshe2]

77. You are one of my favorites here, classof56.

Thank you for your generosity.

[classof56]

78. And you mine, sheshe.

You help make my journey worthwhile!