Card Box - Actual Etiquette Question

squirrly

So, I woke up this morning with the brilliant idea to find a mini jockey statue, paint silks on it in our wedding colors, and put it on top of a box to be our card box.  We've got a couple of other horsey items, and we're taking guests to Churchill Downs the day before (if they're here) so it seems to go with it on the surface.  Little jockey statues are all over the race tracks, and popular as lawn ornaments here. 

I googled.  I'm having trouble finding one the right size and price, but I'm sure I can, eventually.  However, I found some commentary on the web that, frankly, I've never heard.  Apparently there's some controversy about "lawn jockeys" because pre Civil War some people used the color & style of the face paint to make racial statements.  The garish ones weren't meant to be nice.  But, also, the ones with normal expressions were underground railroad markers & ribbons on their sleeves indicated whether the house was safe right then.

So my question - have you seen/heard of a lawn jockey?  Heard any of this controversy?  Think it would be a cute card box or in poor taste? 

Bonus points for anybody who finds a link to an affordable one.  Oh - and here's what I designed for "our silks":

shellydiane820

You should hire someone to pose like that all day.

JessAndTrav

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_card-box-actual-etiquette-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:e10f80af-4cfe-4f04-a424-74fce3f15265Post:8f1aeaa1-8275-48f5-8985-f36c9685e89a">Re: Card Box - Actual Etiquette Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Jockeys ride race horses.  Silks are the special shirt and hat that they wear.  The color and design indicate the ownership of the horse they're riding and are so that announcer can tell which horse is winning. Lawn jockeys (nice ones) are like garden gnomes, but they're jockeys.  Good find on the lantern one!  That's awesome!  I'd want to swap the lantern for a little sign that says "Cards".
Posted by squirrly[/QUOTE]

I bet that wouldn't be too hard to do, either.

squirrly

Mostly around here they just have a ring in their hand, which is to hitch horse reins to.  Not sure about the lantern. 

This is from the racetrack:

KentuckyKate

Squirrly, I lived in Louisville for 19 years and Lexington for 6 years and I have never heard of such a thing about the lawn jockeys, and I have never seen a lawn jockey in blackface.  I think all of that is a thing of the past and if I were you I wouldn't give it a second thought if that's what you want to do.

I just recently learned over on TB that using Aunt Jemima syrup is racist too. 

It's only an issue when someone makes it an issue.

Catwoman708

Yes, I've heard of lawn jockey's, silks, and even some controversy over lawn jockey's being a symbol of racism.  But I am old, so I've heard of lots of that type of ancient history, lol. 

And ancient history it is, as it hasn't been politically correct or acceptable to paint them black for quite some time.  Certainly not in most of your lifetimes.  Nowadays they are more associated with horse racing than symbols of slavery or racism.  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Pre Civil War, black slaves all had various "jobs".  Some were "liveries" or stable workers who would greet visitors and take care of their horses, while the butler greeted guests at the door and announced them.

Lawn jockeys are (usually cast iron) statues at the front of a house, often with rings on them to tie a horse to. Some had lanterns to light the way.  Early ones were painted black, that is where the racists remarks come from. 

redheadfsu

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_card-box-actual-etiquette-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:e10f80af-4cfe-4f04-a424-74fce3f15265Post:e36f0a7c-0d8a-442a-a01f-f41f846834c2">Re: Card Box - Actual Etiquette Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, I'm familiar with all of that. I don't think most people are, though. I think if you're jockey was in blackface you'd have a problem. Otherwise, people would just think, "Oooohh, horsies!"
Posted by bel138[/QUOTE]

This. However it depends on your crowd. The older crowd will most likely know about it (but probably only think about it if it is in blackface.)

squirrly

It would definitely be the cavalier stance, and not in blackface.  So, sounds like we're in the clear on the etiquette.  Good idea for a card box, or should I keep thinking? 

rhodesign

I've heard the controversy, but yeah like people said...as long as it's not blackface I'm sure nobody would care.

JessAndTrav

I think if it ties in well with your theme it's cute, or if it just suiting to you and your FI then you should. Your wedding should reflect your taste.