‘Racist’ Jim Crow stone is in line for a makeover
A SEASIDE landmark could be repainted and renamed after being branded racist.
The Jim Crow stone near Dunoon, Argyll, has been called offensive and associated with historic US segregation laws.
The rock is painted black with giant eyes and red lips but has recently been defaced and had graffiti sprayed on its side.
Local Nationalist MSP Mike Russell is leading a group which wants to transform the rock. Proposals have been put forward for it to be redecorated and given a new name.
Mr Russell said: ‘I have been involved, with others, in trying to move this issue forward.
‘The rock is no longer being painted in the way it was and next month a group representing various community interests will meet again to look at ways of involving young people in both repainting the rock in a way that reflects diversity and inclusion, as well as possibly seeking to rename it.
‘I would encourage people to work with the community in solving this long-running issue once and for all.’
The first record of the Jim Crow Stone is on an 1864 Ordnance Survey map of the Dunoon area.
In the 19th century, Jim Crow was used as a derogatory term for African-Americans.
‘Solve this issue once and for all’