Morris Dancers Banned from School Diversity Show

A group of Morris dancers were banned from a primary school's 'diversity' day - because their 'Border' style of dancing means they blacken their faces with burnt cork in a tradition which stretches back to the 17th Century.

From the Mail:

Morris dancers were banned from a primary school’s diversity and culture show after the headteacher found out they planned to 'black up' for the event.

The Motley Morris Men practice the 'Border' style of Morris dancing - which means they use burnt corks to blacken their faces for the show - a tradition which stretches back to the 17th Century.

The reason for the 'blacking up' was to disguise the identity of the performer who danced in public to earn extra money during hard winters, but did not want to be recognised by friends or family.

Dancer Jim Snelling, who was booked to dance at Chantry Primary School in Gravesend, Kent, this week, said he was 'frustrated' that the show had been scrapped.

He said: ‘I understand the school’s concern but it is a shame they didn’t take the opportunity to find out or ask us along to have a discussion about this fairly important part of our culture.’

Fellow dancer Pete Hargreaves, said it was clear from its website that the dancers wear black make-up.

He added: ‘We get to the point where everything is set up and then they suddenly realise that we are a black-face Border group.

‘They say people might be offended without investigating why we dance with black faces.’

The group’s website states: ‘We are a black faced ‘Border’ morris side formed In 1981.

‘We dance throughout the year at a variety of venues, ranging from pubs to festivals and everything in between, with a number of radio and television appearances under our belts.’

The site also states that the dancing style is ‘Not hankies and bells’, adding: ‘Our style is more primitive, rhythmic and involves stick clashing.

‘But the school said it had to weigh up any potential offence to its community.’

Head teacher of Chantry Primary, Hazel King, said it apologised for any inconvenience caused to the Morris Men.

She said: ‘We organised the event to bring a diverse and fragile community together.

‘To celebrate all cultures we booked a Morris troupe, having failed to recognise the possible significance for our community of their tradition to perform with blackened faces.

‘We found ourselves in a difficult position of weighing up any potential offence versus not wishing to compromise the Morris dancers’ tradition.’

This is sad for many reasons, but the worst one of all is the attitude of the Headteacher - our culture, in our own country, is just one of many and of no great value.

Still, as long as the children got their mandatory brainwashing session about the virtues of other cultures which have been foisted on this country against the will of the majority of its people, what's the harm?

Here's what one of the condescending Leftists among the parents had to say:

One parent, who did not want to be named, said: ‘To black up in this day and age is taking things too far.

‘I know it was a diversity day and it was supposed to help bind cultures together but having a bunch of white guys with black faces turn up at a primary school and prance about is just plain wrong and would have caused confusion among the kids.

‘I dare say it is an ancient tradition, but we have moved on - perhaps the dancers should too.’

Yes, we have moved on alright - our own culture and traditions are now worthless, whilst bringing a 'fragile' community together against all the odds means more than getting those who wish to live here to fit in.

Ain't diversity grand?