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Published byRudolph Gregory Modified over 9 years ago
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African American Entertainment “Eat ‘yo eggs!”
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Blackface Theatrical makeup used to imitate the racist archetype of the “darky” or “coon” White performers used burnt cork, greasepaint or black shoe polish Theatrical makeup used to imitate the racist archetype of the “darky” or “coon” White performers used burnt cork, greasepaint or black shoe polish
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Minstrel shows Performers played lazy, cowardly, superstitious buffoons Plots mostly involved stealing and lying Performers played lazy, cowardly, superstitious buffoons Plots mostly involved stealing and lying
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Role of African Americans Law required that black people must wear blackface to appear on stage Alternatives were few: manual labor or service to whites Referred to as “corking” Law required that black people must wear blackface to appear on stage Alternatives were few: manual labor or service to whites Referred to as “corking”
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“Coon songs” Over 600 songs written from 1890- 1900 “No Coons Allowed “The Man in the Moon is a Coon” “The Coons are on Parade” Over 600 songs written from 1890- 1900 “No Coons Allowed “The Man in the Moon is a Coon” “The Coons are on Parade”
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Minstrel show: 2000 Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” is about black performers who compromise their integrity for ticket sales Ends with all clips of racially insensitive films Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” is about black performers who compromise their integrity for ticket sales Ends with all clips of racially insensitive films
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Image becomes icon Used to sell products from games to food One restaurant chain called “Coon Chicken Inn” Used to sell products from games to food One restaurant chain called “Coon Chicken Inn”
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Racism sells
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Disney uses the image 1933 Mickey’s Mellerdrammer shows Mickey in blackface Crows in Dumbo 1933 Mickey’s Mellerdrammer shows Mickey in blackface Crows in Dumbo
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The Jazz Singer First “talkie”- 1927 Starred Al Jolson ( a Jewish immigrant) in blackface Believed that he was helping the black cause by exposing black music to white audiences First “talkie”- 1927 Starred Al Jolson ( a Jewish immigrant) in blackface Believed that he was helping the black cause by exposing black music to white audiences
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Mammy Iconic figure from “Gone With the Wind” Solid, earthy voice of wisdom Large, unattractive appearance Iconic figure from “Gone With the Wind” Solid, earthy voice of wisdom Large, unattractive appearance
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Amos and Andy Starring two white performers who pretended to be black friends “Amos and Andy” Dominated radio from 1929 to 1945 Ran as a TV show until 1960 Starring two white performers who pretended to be black friends “Amos and Andy” Dominated radio from 1929 to 1945 Ran as a TV show until 1960
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Good Times: 1974 Poor but hardworking family living in a Chicago housing project Father refuses to take handouts JJ becomes buffoonish -- “Dynomite!” Poor but hardworking family living in a Chicago housing project Father refuses to take handouts JJ becomes buffoonish -- “Dynomite!”
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The Cosby Show Aired in 1984 Features a wealthy black doctor and his lawyer wife Episodes are light and humorous Showcased famous black singers, such as Stevie Wonder Aired in 1984 Features a wealthy black doctor and his lawyer wife Episodes are light and humorous Showcased famous black singers, such as Stevie Wonder
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2006: Crash Film explored racism against many diverse groups Characters are complicated- neither bad nor good but all flawed Film explored racism against many diverse groups Characters are complicated- neither bad nor good but all flawed
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