Blackface and Its Historical Context

Introduction

• NBC's Megyn Kelly's show cancellation due to remarks accepting blackface.
• Blackface: A racist show business practice with a long history in the U.S.

Frequency and Occurrence

• Commonly seen during Halloween but not limited to it.
• Example: Maplewood, New Jersey incident with unaware young girls.

Historical Background

• Blackface is ingrained deeply in American culture.
• Character Associations: Even iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd have been depicted in blackface.

Expert Insights

• Eric Lott, Professor at CUNY: Blackface mixes envy, fascination, desire, and fear.
• Fear of black groups rising and taking power.

Minstrel Shows

• Began in the 1830s.
• Involved white performers using burnt cork/black greasepaint.
• Became the most popular form of entertainment.

Racist Stereotypes

• Margot Jefferson, Pulitzer Prize critic, examines disturbing images.
• Blackface tied to comedy and enjoyment, often mocking.

Black Perceptions

• White performers claimed their acts portrayed black lives accurately.
• Gave rise to characters like Jim Crow and other derogatory stereotypes.

African Americans in Blackface

• By the 1860s, black performers used blackface.
• Limited options for black performers; made audiences comfortable.

Theatrical Mask

• Black makeup became a theatrical mask with various meanings.
• Eric Lott: To white audiences – nothing to fear; to black audiences – a coded message.

Notable Performers

• Bert Williams: A genius performer in blackface from vaudeville to Broadway.
• Reconciled with blackface as a career necessity.

Blackface in Films

• Continued in movies post-minstrel shows.
• 1927 Al Jolson's "The Jazz Singer": Notable blackface performance.

Cultural Impact

• Seen in 'Our Gang' comedies and Hollywood musicals with actors like Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire.
• Blackface remains entrenched in cultural history.

Current Perspectives

• Eric Lott: Suggests the need for discussion and acknowledgment of blackface history.
• History should not be suppressed or erased to avoid repetition.

Conclusion

• The necessity of confronting and discussing blackface's complex and painful history to move forward.