Analysis Of Peter Catapano's Performing Race On The Great Divide
The general argument made by Peter Catapano in his work, “Performing Race on the Great Divide”, is that minstrelsy has been a significant topic that’s been examined upon by many intellectuals. More specifically, Catapano argues that minstrelsy has influenced the field of race and entertainment. He writes, “popular music, theater, and popular advertising images were particularly destructive to their notion of uplift and respectability of a race that was suffering under an assault of odious stereotypes.” In this passage, Catapano is suggesting that there were stereotypes about African-American culture in music and shows back in the older days. In conclusion, Catapano’s belief is that even though the great divide raised a challenge between the
History Of The Rabbit's Foot Company
1582 Words | 7 PagesIn early 1900, Patrick “Pat” Chappelle founded The Rabbit’s Foot Company (or, The Rabbit Foot Minstrels) as a roaming, tented minstrel company. Chappelle, equipped with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and notable talent as a banjo guitarist, was to become the figurehead of one of the most successful vaudevillian entities in U.S. history, and, perhaps most importantly, the first exclusively black-owned and operated traveling variety shows in the country. Despite this evolution to “variety show,” The Rabbit’s Foot Company “came forth in the unmistakable form of a minstrel show.” To define, minstrel shows oft manifested as sketch, musical, and variety performances that targeted and mocked black people using blackface and exaggerated stereotypes
Essay On Blackface Minstrelsy
704 Words | 3 PagesWhere do we draw the lines between adoration and mockery, influence and appropriation, and individuality and stereotyping? Accordingly, the racial subject has always been a touchy topic to discuss, but with the lasting effects that the black minstrelsy has left in the society, we most definitely need to deal with the racial subject. Only this way can the American society move forward both as a nation and as a species, and through such efforts, only then can we ensure that such history can never repeat
Blackface Minstrelsy In African-American Culture
664 Words | 3 PagesThere is a clear through-line in our nation’s history of blackface. As a detrimental tradition, the practice reflects a collectively low opinion of African-Americans, so much so that it became feasible to reduce an entire group of people to caricatures. When Rondrich describes minstrelsy as the “first truly American band” based on its origin within and its reflection of our past beliefs, I found it a sickeningly accurate statement. It is rather astonishing how music has been used to disseminate racially charged imagery—in this situation, Adorno’s fears of music perpetuating group-thought was startlingly supported. Beyond the racial elements, the growing popularity of blackface minstrelsy reflects how low-quality entertainment (more colloquially,
Jazz And Racial Identity
233 Words | 1 PagesDespite Jazz being formed out of two cultures, the issues of social stratification and racial identity never had to be addressed in early jazz history. But as Jazz grew in popularity in a prewar 1930s America, the issue of racism started to form. As Jazz prospered within the economy and as a musical style, it’s roots revealed it’s racial identity. Jazz emerged from the music used formerly to entertain slaves and was a tool of rebellion against the white man, Jazz’z roots were very much embedded in slave culture. As free slaves moved north, they brought their Jazz influence to parts of the country such as Chicago and New York.
Summary Of The Film 'Color Adjustment' By Marlon Riggs
477 Words | 2 PagesIn Marlon Riggs’ 1992 documentary film titled Color Adjustment, Riggs, the Emmy winning producer of Ethnic Notions, continues his studies of prejudice in television. The documentary film looks at the years between 1948 and 1988 to analyze how over a 40 year period, race relations are viewed through the lens of prime time entertainment. The film examined many of television’s stereotypes and mythes and how they changed over the years. The one hour and twenty-two minute documentary is narrated by Ruby Dee, the American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and civil rights activist.
Percival Everett's The Appropriation Of Cultures
615 Words | 3 PagesPercival Everett’s short story entitled, “The Appropriation of Cultures” explores themes of irony and absurdity. The irony lies within each and every page. The story begins with Daniel, who is a young and successful black man with a degree from Brown University. He is also a musician and frequently played old tunes with a group of musicians. The story then shifts as white frat boys make suggestions of what the musicians should play, “One night, some white boys from a fraternity yellow forward to the stage at the black man holding the acoustic guitar and began to shout, ‘Play ‘Dixie’ for us!
Ma Rainey's Sissy Blues
993 Words | 4 PagesHer audience and shows flourished with both whites and blacks, peacefully mingling together to behold Ma’s performances. In this era taut with fear over race, both whites and black adored her. Ma Rainey showcases queerness through
Analysis Of Alvin Ailey's Cry
2321 Words | 10 PagesIn 1971, Alvin Ailey choreographed Cry, a three part work solo dance set to gospel music that describes an emotional journey filled with struggle, hardships, defeat, survival and joy. It was intended as a birthday present to Alvin’s mother and a dedication to all black women everywhere. The first part of the dance is the struggle of trying to maintain pride irrespective of the opposition faced from outside. The second part reveals the sorrow within after the woman’s pride has been shattered into pieces and finally the third part is a spirited celebration of finding strength and joy in God. Even though cry was dedicated to only black women, i argue the notion that all women both black and white of the nineteenth century could relate
Film Analysis Of Bamboozled: A Satire
991 Words | 4 PagesThe film that I watched for my music appreciate course by the name of Bamboozled is a satire on how the America tends to stereotype African Americans. Even though there are many comedic and humorous bits in this film, there are also very serious social undertones when it comes to the perception of black people in “white America”. One specific and important element that this film uses to portray the racial tension between white and black individuals are minstrel shows. Minstrel shows use to incorporate variety shows, but often had stereotypical and racially offensive towards black people. In a Minstrel show, Caucasians and sometimes African Americans would act out the show in black face.
Mr. T-By Terrance Hayes Analysis
586 Words | 3 PagesT being a sellout. Obviously, the 1980’s were a very different time, and the portrayal of African Americans in mainstream media has changed considerably since then for the better, with black people now having a much wider range of leading roles available as well as better representation at award shows. Since this poem was written in 2002, it is easy for the speaker to look back and label Mr. T as a negative role model due to his cooperation in demeaning roles; but I do not think that it is fair to look at Mr. T in this condescending way because the fact that he was able to win the uphill battle of achieving success in Hollywood during a time when it was much less considerate toward black people is impressive, even if the means by which Mr. T attained such success were controversial. All in all, Terrance Hayes’s “Mr. T-” may be harsh, but at least it advocates the pursuit of positive role models for the African American youth, which, fortunately, is what America now has a larger supply
Social Norms In The 1920s
1186 Words | 5 PagesThroughout the 1920s, or the Roaring 20s, there were many cultural clashes that that stemmed from debates and disagreements over modern values. Politically, America turned away from the past progressive values and began a more conservative approach. Religiously, there was a strong clash between Fundamentalists and Modernists about how significant the bible should impact daily life. Most significantly, society turned away from the past Fundamentalist views.
Summary Of The New Negro Alain Locke
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Ethnic Notions Documentary Analysis
991 Words | 4 PagesEthnic Notions: Divided From The Start The film 'Ethnic Notions ' illustrates various ways in which African Americans were impersonated during the 19th and 20th centuries. It follows and shows the development of the rooted stereotypes which have generated bias towards African Americans. If a film of this kind had such an affectionate influence on me, it is no surprise people adopted these ideas back then. The use of new and popular media practices in those days was more than adequate in selling the black inferiority to the general public.
Duke Ellington's Music Analysis
869 Words | 4 PagesIn the 1920s and 1930s, a large movement of art and literature took place in the city of Harlem. Many African American authors express their thoughts and ideas through anyway possible. Whether it be music, art, or literature, its impact gave the African Americans a new place in society. One composer of music was very influential to all people. His name is Duke Ellington.
Analysis Of Hairspray
1065 Words | 5 PagesI enjoyed the comical and lighthearted dancing and singing approach the characters had to the somber situations around them. Watching this few years later and after taking a Text and Meaning course, I was struck at the sheer amount of things that stood out. The Negroes were declared “other”. In post colonialist theory, declaring one race “other” marginalizes them and stresses on how
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