The hidden history of blackface in America
3Digest
This podcast delves into the often-hidden history of blackface, a popular form of entertainment from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It discusses why this history has been suppressed, including the success of the Civil Rights Movement and the reluctance of institutions to archive white supremacist culture. The episode recounts personal experiences of being denied access to blackface materials, highlighting their taboo and potentially harmful nature. The discussion traces the origins of the Jim Crow character to T.D. Rice's racist portrayal of Black people, and examines how the printing press, amateur groups like the Elks Club, and even prominent figures like Stephen Foster and Franklin D. Roosevelt contributed to the spread and normalization of blackface minstrelsy. The role of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in disseminating these materials is also explored, alongside the appropriation of minstrel themes by white supremacist groups. The podcast concludes by discussing the efforts of Black mothers during the Civil Rights Movement to combat blackface in schools and offers a perspective on addressing blackface in films through dialogue rather than outright cancellation.
Outlines
The Hidden History and Taboo of Blackface
This section introduces the hidden history of blackface, a popular but racist form of entertainment, and explains why it's considered taboo and difficult to access. It touches on the challenges faced by scholars in obtaining these materials and the contemporary efforts to erase complex historical narratives.
Origins and Spread of Minstrelsy
This part explores the creation of the Jim Crow character by T.D. Rice, its racist portrayal of enslaved Black people, and how the printing press, amateur groups like the Elks Club, and popular songwriters like Stephen Foster facilitated the widespread dissemination of blackface minstrelsy.
Institutionalization and Political Use of Minstrelsy
This section details how the Works Progress Administration (WPA) preserved and distributed minstrel songs and shows, embedding them in educational curricula and military entertainment. It also highlights Franklin D. Roosevelt's connection to minstrel shows and how white supremacist groups, including the KKK, revived minstrelsy to promote their ideologies.
The Fight Against Blackface and Its Legacy
This segment discusses how the Civil Rights Movement, driven by Black mothers' activism, led to the end of amateur blackface shows in schools due to their dehumanizing nature. It concludes with a perspective on how to address blackface in classic films through discussion of harmful stereotypes rather than simple cancellation.
Keywords
Blackface
A racist theatrical practice involving performers using dark makeup to caricature Black people, originating in the 19th century and deeply rooted in harmful stereotypes.
Minstrel Shows
A 19th-century American entertainment form featuring comic skits, music, and dance, performed by white actors in blackface, perpetuating racist caricatures of Black people.
Jim Crow
Initially a minstrel show character, "Jim Crow" became a symbol of racial segregation laws in the Southern United States from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.
Darkology
The title of the book discussed, referring to the study and practice of performing blackface, often taught through printed guides to humorously represent Black life.
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
A New Deal agency that played a role in preserving and disseminating American cultural heritage, including minstrel songs and shows, which were distributed to schools and the military.
Stephen Foster
A prominent 19th-century American songwriter whose popular minstrel songs, often performed in blackface, contained racist themes and romanticized slavery.
Civil Rights Movement
A social movement in the United States aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against Black Americans and securing federal protection of their citizenship rights.
White Supremacy
The belief in the inherent superiority of white people, which underpinned blackface minstrelsy and was promoted by groups like the KKK through revived minstrel shows.
Q&A
Why is the history of amateur blackface so hidden?
The history of blackface is largely hidden due to the success of the Civil Rights Movement, which made it culturally taboo. Additionally, during the Jim Crow era, libraries were less inclined to catalog white supremacist culture, viewing it as commonplace rather than historical.
What was the origin and portrayal of the Jim Crow character?
The Jim Crow character was created by T.D. Rice, inspired by an enslaved Black man. The character was depicted as submissive, bumbling, and happy to be enslaved, reflecting a deeply offensive and inaccurate interpretation of slavery.
How did the printing press contribute to the spread of blackface minstrelsy?
The printing press enabled the mass production of instructional books, leaflets, and newspaper ads. These materials provided step-by-step guides on how to perform blackface, replicate stereotypes, and use nonsensical language, making minstrelsy accessible to a wider audience.
What role did the Works Progress Administration (WPA) play in the dissemination of minstrel songs?
The WPA, aiming to preserve American heritage, purchased publishing houses and created a bureau to evaluate and recommend minstrel shows and songs. This federal endorsement led to the distribution of these materials to schools and colleges, embedding them in the curriculum.
How did Black mothers contribute to the decline of amateur blackface?
During the Civil Rights Movement, Black mothers organized and protested against blackface shows in schools, arguing that they were a form of dehumanization and a violation of human rights, drawing parallels to the caricatures used against Jews in Europe.
Show Notes
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Table of contents
United States
