How Minstrelsy Effect American Society
Minstrelsy was an American form of entertain that swept the nation for a considerable amount of time. It began developing in the 19th century however really progressed and changed with time. Each minstrel show was a variety of acts. Such as comic skits, dancing, music, and variety all being performed by white performers in blackface. Minstrel shows depicted black people in several different lights, usually negatively. Minstrelsy is the root of stereotypes within our society today, it showed black people through the eyes of white males, it depicted black people in a negative light, and it dominated american culture for a long-span of time. Thomas Dartmouth Rice was an actor is credited with institutionalizing …show more content…
The performer was dancing described as grotesque, called “jumping Jim Crow”. Rick took this opportunity to imitate what he saw, taking it further by blackening his face with a cork. He had very successful shows within the United States, and then he toured in the British Isles in 1836. The stereotype had such a large effect on American culture it was coined as laws that promoted segregation and a racist agenda. However that was only the beginning of the rooting of black stereotypes. The pioneer company of Minstrelsy were the Virginia Minstrels, a quartet led by Daniel Decatur Emmett, their first performance was in 1843. A few other notable companies were Bryant’s, Campbell’s, and Haverly’s. However the most important of early minstrel companies was Christy Minstrels who played for almost 10 years on Broadway. Also Stephen …show more content…
Though it can be debated if any form minstrelsy ever ended, however it is believed to have ended around late 1900’s. It lasted for fifty plus years, creating a lasting impression of the african american community. So not only were black people viewed in negative manner but it quickly became America’s favorite entertainment outlet, and for a long period of time as well. Through the years minstrelsy expanded throughout America and even into other countries. Minstrelsy set the precedent for the entertainment industry, leaving african americans at a disadvantage. Whenever blacks appeared in any form of media, they were forced to act like the caricatures. Only because that’s what their white audience was used to and came to
Minstrelsy was an American form of entertain that swept the nation for a considerable amount of time. It began developing in the 19th century however really progressed and changed with time. Each minstrel show was a variety of acts. Such as comic skits, dancing, music, and variety all being performed by white performers in blackface. Minstrel shows depicted black people in several different lights, usually negatively. Minstrelsy is the root of stereotypes within our society today, it showed black people through the eyes of white males, it depicted black people in a negative light, and it dominated american culture for a long-span of time. Thomas Dartmouth Rice was an actor is credited with institutionalizing …show more content…
The performer was dancing described as grotesque, called “jumping Jim Crow”. Rick took this opportunity to imitate what he saw, taking it further by blackening his face with a cork. He had very successful shows within the United States, and then he toured in the British Isles in 1836. The stereotype had such a large effect on American culture it was coined as laws that promoted segregation and a racist agenda. However that was only the beginning of the rooting of black stereotypes. The pioneer company of Minstrelsy were the Virginia Minstrels, a quartet led by Daniel Decatur Emmett, their first performance was in 1843. A few other notable companies were Bryant’s, Campbell’s, and Haverly’s. However the most important of early minstrel companies was Christy Minstrels who played for almost 10 years on Broadway. Also Stephen …show more content…
Though it can be debated if any form minstrelsy ever ended, however it is believed to have ended around late 1900’s. It lasted for fifty plus years, creating a lasting impression of the african american community. So not only were black people viewed in negative manner but it quickly became America’s favorite entertainment outlet, and for a long period of time as well. Through the years minstrelsy expanded throughout America and even into other countries. Minstrelsy set the precedent for the entertainment industry, leaving african americans at a disadvantage. Whenever blacks appeared in any form of media, they were forced to act like the caricatures. Only because that’s what their white audience was used to and came to