"What is that thing?"

The statue is a Jocko-style Lawn Jockey.

"What is a Jocko-style Lawn Jockey?"

It's a depiction of an African American man, and it was made to be offensive. It is a caricature which falls in line with the racial stereotypes that plagued African Americans from 1865 on. The current reproductions hearkened back to a time when African American men and women were set upon and dehumanized for the sake of crude humor (and worse). During this time, African American men were depicted as Savages, Sambos, Darkies, Jocko, and even as the Fool Servant by blackface Actors from Minstrel Shows. These lawn ornaments were born of a tradition which allowed for and encouraged the demonization of African Americans, and should never be regarded as some frivolous thing, or with apathy. 

"I'm sure the company doesn't mean anything by it."

Regardless of intention, once a concern is presented and acknowledged as an issue, it should be addressed. A company representative responded to our concern as follows:

We've heard this complaint a few times before. Our company does not mean any ill will by this photo. It's something that happened to be in the shot during the shoot at Funky Junk Farms. I do understand how one can think this is highly offensive and I will do my best to pass this along to corporate. Thank you for your feedback.

"Maybe the Photographer just wanted the set to appear more... authentic."

There are reproductions of Nazi propaganda posters that could make a Vaudeville and or Burlesque set appear more authentic. However, no one would ever use those props in the marketing of a brand because some would find it highly offensive...

"So this statue pokes fun at Blacks? Every race has been made fun of one way or another."

True. Every race has suffered at the hands of intolerance or for the sake of comedy, but that doesn't justify each occurrence. Did you know that East Asians were depicted horribly during our beloved Pinup Era? Even so, use of those racial archetypes are strictly taboo now...

"Why is this even a thing?

This is best explained by Kenneth W. Goings:

"['Jocko' was] a reminder of the decades when Blacks occupied the bottom rung on America's racial hierarchy [called] a time when Blacks "knew their place." After World War II, White residents of new housing developments began placing 'Jocko' on their lawns in great numbers. [...] more than a half-century later lawn jockeys are still seen by African Americans as markers of "White space," [and] objects that send this message to Blacks: "You are not welcome here.” 

(http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/view/11520/16749)

“But Wiki says Jocko is a hero like Paul Revere. African Americans shouldn’t be offended, they should be proud!”

David Pilgrim, the Curator of the Jim Crow Museum in Big Rapids, Michigan, puts it best:

"There is no consensus on [Jocko’s] origin, but I do believe that there is a consensus view in African American communities that black lawn jockeys are demeaning relics of a racist past. They may not have started out with a racist meaning -- or always had that meaning -- but that is the meaning they have today. There are, undoubtedly, non-racist reasons for owning and displaying black lawn jockeys, but it would be hard for an adult American to claim that he or she does not know that many African Americans find lawn jockeys racially offensive, especially the ones with jet-black skin and oversized lips."

(http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/question/july08/index.htm)

 The Bottom Line:

Jocko isn’t comparable to some Garden Gnome or Pink Flamingo. Jocko is a despicable creation with a terrible history, and Pinupgirlclothing.com's willingness to include, and tolerate it, is inexcusable. 

Please stand with us in this matter and lend us your voice.

Tell Laura Byrnes that her Supporters (both former and current) have spoken. Jocko is offensive.

Tell Laura to remove all racist memorabilia from the site!