Blackface Minstrelsy

Minstrel Characters and their Significance



The Uncle Tom is a faithful, older, black male servant. He is well behaved and respectful of the master despite being mistreated and disrespected. The most well-known Uncle Tom appeared in Uncle Tom’s Cabin , 1914, the film that gave birth to the name, based on the book by Harriet Beecher Stowe.



The Zip Coon is a crude, stupid, and trifling buffoon who often makes a fool of himself. An obnoxious personality, ill-fitting and loud clothes are typical traits. He also has difficulty understanding and pronouncing big words.



The 5 W's of Blackface Minstrelsy

Who?	African Americans, White Americans
What?	Minstrelsy is considered America’s first original form of music. Minstrel shows featured white Americans dressed to portray blacks in overly exaggerated stereotypical ways. Gradually African Americans became performers in the show. Performers would darken their skin using burnt skin. Emulated “stereotypical” expressions of black culture such as speech, dance, music, and cultural behavior
When?	Formed between 1820 and 1840 in the US. Minstrel shows became very popular between 1840 and 1880. They were especially popular after the Civil War. Remained popular until the end of the 19th century
Where?	Minstrel shows were performed throughout the United States. Some were performed in parts of Western Europe.
Why?	Culture affects Minstrelsy  v  Slavery: Masters viewed their slaves as inferior creatures. Never really knew what was going on in the slave culture, instead developed belief through a distorted lens. v  Post-Antebellum (Post Civil War): Whites needed a way to feel like they were superior to blacks since they had been freed. Continued the cycle of white superiority Minstrelsy affects culture v  Stereotypes turned into beliefs: Since whites did not have effective contact with the African American community, they actually began to believe the stereotypes, which thus made them think that their imitations were accurate depictions v  The world’s view of Blacks: minstrel shows traveled throughout Europe, thus promoting the ideas that blacks in American actually encompassed these stereotypical behaviors

The 5 W's of the Harlem Renaissance

	The Harlem Renaissance
Who	African Americans
What	A cultural movement that brought the music, specifically jazz, poetry and writing of forward thinking African American’s to the forefront of American culture and society
Where	The Harlem Renaissance started and centered around the Harlem neighborhood in New York City
Why	The Harlem Renaissance grew out of changes that took place in the African American community after the abolition of slavery and accelerated after the end of WWI where African Americans had fought along side white Americans as equals and had witnessed the equality of Africans in European countries
When	Throughout the 1920s and 1930s

The 5 W's of the Origins of Rap and Hip-Hop Music

	The Origins of Rap and Hip-Hop Music
Who	Black and Caribbean youth in New York City
What	Hip-Hop and Rap included distinctive styles of visual art, dance, music dress and speech
Where	First localized in the Bronx
Why	Rap and Hip-Hop was seen as a response to the destruction of traditional family and community ties in this area
When	Developed between 1975 – 1979