Whose Black Face is That?

It was interesting to me that one of the guest speakers on the documentary said that the makeup was used also as a disguise. They were able to do the show and then disappear into the crowds unnoticed. 

Minstrel Shows

Growing up, I was taught about the Black Face shows as a part of my education of my heritage in America. Understanding the dynamics the struggle for and of  the Black identity in America was important to my family. I always found a few things ironic about this topic, especially with the sub topic of the arts. Plainly put, Africans were stripped of their culture when they were bought here as slaves. Your culture is a major part of your identity. It makes you who you are individually and who we are collectively. 

In the transition from slavery into a free life, African descendants began to redefine, remember, and recreate their identity, while also trying to merge with the American identity.

The minstrel shows tried again to take this power out of these people’s hands.  Some blacks chose to join the acts, and make a stand that way. Some chose to be bold and make a stand by creating their own realities in show business. I look at it as the many steps in the journey and history if the identity of a generation and people.

I am not here to argue whether it was racist, or necessary, or anything like that, because there is no discussion.  My main understanding from all of this is the need for culture. Personal culture. Personal art forms. It is essential in defining identity. The black face shoes was a form of documentation, a note taker in the events taking place at that time, and we, as humans, must have our arts no matter how revealing they may be.