I know what you mean, Paul. It's disappointing RMLD felt the need to apologize for this. Black-face is part of Americana. The U.S. has a rich history which, unfortunately, the politically correct gang is turning into milk toast.

I'm sure this "diversity committee" will be meeting during the work day. More wasted time and money.

Yeah. God forbid the "politically correct gang" rather that of all the pictures, we not have a community calendar honoring black-face. Slavery, internment camps, and eugenics were part of our history, too. I assume you'd rather not see them next to a picture of the Damon Tavern.

The RMLD ment no harm to anyone printing this picture.

History should be displayed as it was. If someone is offended by what previous generations did, they should take steps to help improve the future, not hide what it was. That's the way it was. That's the way it should remain. Just because the Damon Tavern has an architecturally incorrect feature doesn't mean we should hide the whole building. The flaw is there because someone saw a need. We, and everything around us are the sum of everything that's been fixed for us. We can only make things better. (Hopefully)

So of the thousands of pictures of North Reading and Reading's history, you're saying you'd prefer one that's horribly racist as a reminder that we were once horribly racist? It just sounds to me like you're horribly racist.

I'm well aware that RMLD meant no harm by publishing this picture, and they're taking the correct steps to remedy the problem. But the impersonation of an African American man by a white man IS considered to be offensive to some in the community (for good reason) and shouldn't be highlighted-period.

In that the flaw, to be remedied, should be acknowledged, I'd say you're correct. But this is certainly not the venue to do it.

The actual history of that time is quite interesting. One of the most famous (and wealthy) black-face performers of that time was Bert Williams.... a black man... who made a fortune doing black-ace comedy. Look him up on the Wikipedia. He was an interesting character fer sure.

Robs Comment says it all. He honestly should have just stopped at the FUNNIEST thing I have read in a long time: "So of the thousands of pictures of North Reading and Reading's history, you're saying you'd prefer one that's horribly racist as a reminder that we were once horribly racist?"

Thank you for the comments. Tell us what you think about this issue here: http://patch.com/A-v6g4

Maybe the answer here is that the RMLD should get out of the calendar making business. I am not denying the annual calendar is attractive and the pictures usually very historically informative. However, with two major errors in the 2012 edition, maybe time and money could be better spent on other projects. Most people use electronic calendars today...on phones, computers, etc. Why the need for the RMLD to print calendars other than tradition and that are only available on a first come, first served basis, although its publication is subsidized by all customers? After all, the RMLD does not need to advertise in a captive market.

Wait.....North Reading had a minstrel show, like...recently??