A former Baltimore police officer will perform an Al Jolson routine in blackface to raise money for the six Baltimore police officers indicted in the killing of Freddie Gray, reported CBS News. The amount of racism here is beyond description.
Former officer Bobby Berger has performed Al Jolson skits for decades, but was let go from the police force in the 1980s because of the performances. According to Berger, he’s already sold over 600 tickets for his Nov. 1 fundraiser at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Considering how racist Al Jolson’s blackface skits are, the venue said that it will not host Berger’s fundraiser. “No contract was signed with Mr. Berger,” said the venue. “Michael’s does not condone blackface performances of any kind.” Al Jolson was an entertainer in the early-20th century. He performed blackface skits that are now considered, in this modern time, to be highly racist. Berger, an ignorant white man, said there nothing racist about his performances.
“It’s coincidence,” said Berger. “There’s no racial overtones to this show. There’s nothing racist to the show.”
Here’s a taste of what Berger plans to perform. This is blatantly racist.
