Grandparents worry about grandchild's welfare
When I have brought it up, I have been belittled, shamed and actually accused of doing it to them first.
Do you have any advice for a guy in such a situation?
-- Unsure
Dear Unsure: No person should have to tolerate being grabbed, and then shamed for objecting. I'm very sorry you've had this experience. My advice for you would be the same I would give to a woman. Use your voice, stay strong and organize in solidarity for the rights of others who have been abused, but not believed.
Dear Amy: "Photo Finished" described finding a photo from the '30s that showed some people in blackface. Excuse me, but this was considered acceptable at the time. And because you found this so offensive, I'm wondering what you think of Al Jolson?
-- Upset
Dear Upset: I am truly shocked by the number of readers who have responded to this question by asking me what I think of Al Jolson.
First of all, I am not 110 years old, but because I'm a movie buff, I am familiar with the strange career of Al Jolson.
I contend that blackface was always offensive, but the people most affected lacked the power to say so.
When I first saw "The Jazz Singer" -- as a child in the '60s -- my mother explained blackface as "something that some people used to think was OK, but it really never was."
That's what I think of Al Jolson.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
