My dad had stories. Near the end of the 1800s, his father was brought up with a whipping boy. The idea was to use the natural affection the little white boy would have for his playmate. The threat or punishment of the little black boy was used to control the white boy. Later as they grew up, the culture would not permit them to remain as friends, certainly not equals, so they were required to part ways. My dad said his dad loved his friend, but I don’t even know the man’s name, was told they set him up in business when airplanes were new, as a barnstorming wing walker. He even described the ad that was used. I am the grandson of someone who had a whipping boy.