BLACK CHILDREN AS “ALLIGATOR BAIT” (3 ALLIGATOR POSTCARDS)

Just like the weird connection American culture had in associating blacks with watermelon (see watermelon postcards in this collection), they also associated African-Americans as bait for alligators with a common theme of African-Americans running from alligators.

1) Unknown date: Caption reads “Alligator Bait” 3 black children being eyed by an alligator.

2) 1916 “A Darky’s Prayer, Florida” Postcard shows a black man in tears as he runs from 3 alligators.  Postcard reads “Dese gaters looked so feary, And yet dey ‘peered so tame.  But now that I done met ’em, I’ll never be de same.”

3) 1944 Black man is chased up a tree by 3 alligators. Caption reads “Come On Down.  I’se Waiting For You In Florida.”