African American Entertainment African American Entertainment

“Eat ‘yo eggs!” “Eat ‘yo eggs!”

BlackfaceBlackface 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

Minstrel showsMinstrel showsPerformers played

lazy, cowardly, superstitious buffoons

Plots mostly involved stealing and lying

Performers played lazy, cowardly, superstitious buffoons

Plots mostly involved stealing and lying

Role of African AmericansRole of African AmericansLaw 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”

“Coon songs”“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”

Minstrel show: 2000Minstrel show: 2000Spike 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

Image becomes iconImage 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”

Racism sellsRacism sells

Disney uses the imageDisney uses the image1933

Mickey’s Mellerdrammer shows Mickey in blackface

Crows in Dumbo

1933

Mickey’s Mellerdrammer shows Mickey in blackface

Crows in Dumbo

The Jazz SingerThe Jazz SingerFirst “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

MammyMammy 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

Amos and AndyAmos and AndyStarring 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

Good Times: 1974Good Times: 1974Poor 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!”

The Cosby ShowThe 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

2006: Crash2006: CrashFilm 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