An artist by any other name
At one time in American History it was forbidden by federal law for Blacks to perform onstage in a theater.
Illegal.
This was before federalized segregation turned America into a world of bold signs, and strong visible color lines.
Not unlike Elizabethan theater in England, where women were forbidden to perform onstage, while men impersonated women and played female characters. Centuries later, something similar was happening on stages across America.
Disturbingly, while Blacks were restricted to performing outside, or in bars, saloons, circus tents, White artists were simultaneously profiting from a performing art called 'Blackface' that exploited stereotypes of Black characteristics.
Some white artists still felt jealousy towards Black dancers, and even challenged them to contests, or duels to see who was the best "black" dancer. (Haskins, 1992)
This excerpt is from the New York Herald, July 8, 1884
GREAT PUBLIC CONTEST
Rule—Each Dancer will select his own Violin and the victory will be decided by the best time and the greatest number of steps.
The transition (for Black artists) from vagabond performers traveling across the country on trains, and wagons to contracted artists on proper concert stages was the most critical time in American Performing Arts History, and the most undervalued.
Bert Williams, great American performer (1874-1922)
A singer, actor, dancer, Bert Williams studied civil engineering before following his true passion, stage performance. Because of our country's laws about race and beliefs about achievement, this man was not able to demonstrate the full span of his talents and gifts. Bert Williams was never able to call himself an 'actor', but merely an entertainer, in his own words. He died a very early death, like many Black artists of his time, his mental health suffered from the brutal psychology of American societal beliefs on race and Black Achievement. Whenever I feel like holding my head low, I think of this man and other Black pioneers like him and I straighten my shoulders.
Define your own destiny.
Ponya
Read more about William Henry Lane, stage name, Master Juba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Juba
Read more about early white minstrel groups:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_Serenaders
Thank you for reading!!
This is my favorite topic in American Performing Arts History!!
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