h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: When the Mayor of Grimsby met Prince Makaroo - A87889270
Author: Galaxy Babe - spaghettified editor - U128652

I have read this story numerous times in my local newspaper, so I thought I'd bring it to the attention of the wider world. The protagonists are all long-dead, so you can laugh without fear of hurting anyone's feelings. The original story has been sanitised to conform with today's editorial standards and political correctness. I make no mention of the fact that black boot polish was utilised to assist the deception and dropped the description "the heir to Zululand" from the original newspaper report (1906).

GB

This is an amusing incident and you have described it vividly.

However, I suspect that the people of Grimsby fell for the trick partly because they knew little of Africa and its people. I think that the fact that the 'Prince' was apparently black, in a place where everybody else was white has to be relevant. He would have been very exotic. It's difficult to avoid the issue of his colour.

Hi mvp, thanks for reading and commenting

I must admit I am wary of stating in the entry that he was blacked-up like a black-and-white minstrel used to be, for fear of offending anyone. PC is a minefield, for aged researchers such as myself!

GB

OK I have had a go - see what you think now

I think this works well.

Of course, being white, I can't say if it would offend a black person. Perhaps the fact that the impostor was only pretending to be black would reassure them?

I hope I don't offend anyone, but if it is deemed offensive then corrections can be made

A nice story, well told.

About the blackface thing : I would tend to think that describing something shouldn't be a problem. He *was* blacked-up, that's a fact. It doesn't mean you think it was clever, or funny, or even remotely a good idea.
But like MVP, I can't really know if it would offend a black person.

Probably just my ignorance speaking, but what does the JP in "Jacob Pickwell JP" mean ? Is it just his initials, or ?

Hi Superfrenchie thanks for reading and commenting.

>>what does the JP in "Jacob Pickwell JP" mean?<< Justice of the Peace

It's been a pleasure, GB.

Thanks for the explanation.

At last I find this thread.

This is brilliant. I think you handled the colour issue very well - you're not being rude, the criminal was, and it's okay to say that. I agree with MVP: the place must have been provincial enough not to have much of an idea of what Africans looked like.

That reminds me of an African acquaintance in Germany, back in the early 80s. He was walking through a tiny village. An elderly man burst out crying. The kind-hearted visitor stopped, dismayed. 'Grandfather, what's the matter?'

'It's always been said that if The Black Man walks the village streets, the end of the world is near.'

The young man told me this as an amusing, but puzzling anecdote, but he was taken aback at the time.

German children used to be threatened with "Der schwarze Mann" - the black man. It refers to the chimney sweep.

Sorry - I realise that comment was a bit of a non sequitur. Haven't read the entry yet. I'll be black . Er... back.

I love PR threads... so surreal

A very good story! I also don't think you have to worry about racial issues.

('Der schwarze Mann' is also a game, where one child is chosen as 'the black man' and has to catch the others. Everyone who is caught becomes a black man too.)

Thanks Tav

The entry is lovely, by the way - enjoyable style, answers all the questions you find yourself asking along the way. Well done!

Thanks very much TC

Anything else required here?

GB