-Lucky Joe- still bank c. 20th century

This "Lucky Joe" still bank was made by Underwood & Underwood and resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The Jim Crow era was characterized by the proliferation of black memorabilia, often used to demean and caricature African Americans. This glass jar molded into a grotesque caricature of a Black man's face functioned as a commercial product and children’s toy. Its demeaning imagery normalized racist attitudes, ingraining them into the daily lives of white Americans. The commercialization of racist imagery made it ubiquitous, shaping public perceptions of Black individuals. The name "Lucky Joe" itself is laced with irony, given the systemic oppression faced by Black people during this time. Consider the lasting emotional and psychological impact that these images had on both Black and white communities. Even today, it serves as a reminder of the deep-seated racial biases in American society.