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The Morris Ring Jigs Instructional 2021  ̶  what's happening?

PROLIX VERSION (for lockdownees with time to kill)

My last official act.

Today I stand down as Squire of the Morris Ring to make way for Simon Newman to take the reins.

It has been a blast & I would not have missed it for the world except for the last few months of course,but the Norns will have there fun. "Wyrd bid ful araed" as Uhtred of Bebbanberg would say.

From the Squire of the Morris Ring, Peter Simpson:

Greetings All,

The last few months have been ‘interesting’ to say the least. While we may not have been dancing there has been plenty going on. As you will have noticed one of these is the black face paint issue. So, how come we are where we are? I hope these messages answer a lot of your questions. I don’t expect they will answer all of them but please read them in full and take some time to consider what message I and the other officers are trying to convey.

Next Tuesday we at Screen Archive South East, in collaboration with our partners at the West Sussex Record Office, will make available a variety of archives, which we think will greatly interest you and your members. Through our portal, called West Sussex Unwrapped, we will present a smashing film that features an epic festival of Morris Dancing through the sleepy streets of Horsham in 1989, while the West Sussex Record Office blog will feature records, photos and historical information about Morris Dancing in West Sussex.

This matter has been under review for some years, with statements and advice to sides being issued by successive squires.

These have increasingly asked sides to consider their continued use of such face make up, the effect it has on their audience, the safety of their side members, and what alternatives could be used to achieve the same effect.  Many member sides have heeded this advice and stopped using it.

The issue has however remained under constant review by the officers because although it has a complex and uncertain history, it is perceived by some as racist.

The Morris Shop has suspended operations in the current situation. 

We are aware of continuing problems receiving goods from The Morris Shop, an operation independent of The Morris Ring. Whilst much of this may be a result of the current lockdown, we are aware of more general issues and we are attempting to resolve these to the benefit of all concerned.

Does Black Face Paint Matter?

We are sure all of our members will be well aware of the tragic murder of George Floyd and the breadth of the protests demanding that black lives are truly valued. They are a realisation not only of anger at was has gone wrong, but they also offer an opportunity for change to be made possible.

Social media has already evidenced the concern  that the vexed issue of blacking up is seen as a manifestation of part of the problem, and perhaps it is an appropriate time for us to ask again, “Does black face paint matter?”