DUE DATES:
Main response: Tuesday, March 19
Replies to classmates: Tuesday, March 25
In this clip (beginning around 3:00 to the end) we see a stage performance at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem during the Jazz Age. The music is composed and performed by one of the most important composers and band leaders of the era, Duke Ellington. Watch the clip and look very carefully at the styles of dance, costumes, and character representations. Some of the characters are in black face. What do the costumes suggest to you? What about the set? Where is this taking place? Early popular music from minstrel shows influenced jazz in the 20th century. Many of the dances in the clip are adaptations from minstrel shows — the “cakewalk” or “walk around” and “shuffle”. The music and dance you see in the clip laid the foundation for the development of American musical theatre. In other words, one of the main sources for the popular music and dance during the Jazz Age and early musical theatre was an extremely racist form of art: the minstrelsy act (the remnants of which can still be seen in the 1920s in the clip). And yet, African American artists have made incredible, essential contributions to the development of jazz music and dance (in minstrelsy shows, clubs and theatres, and in the recording industry).
You have read this article about the history of minstrelsy in the United States. Williams argues that by “blackening their faces and ‘performing color,’ African American minstrels were able to conceal their true identities while honing their craft as artists and serving their communities by becoming cultural ambassadors and building charitable organizations.” She also cites Overton Walker, who agrees that although African Americans were performing stereotypical acts that demeaned and mocked black Americans, when “a large audience leaves the theatre after a creditable two and a half hour performance by Negroes, I am sure the Negro race is raised in the estimation of the people….” In other words, although African American entertainers were performing stereotypes that reinforced racist attitudes towards blacks in America, there were also positive outcomes for African American performers and perhaps society as a whole.
Thinking about the clip from the Cotton Club and the article, do you believe the jazz music and dance in the clip did more to harm African Americans or benefit them? Take a strong position and argue for only one or the other. Your response should be one paragraph (4 sentences minimum) and you need to explain why you think it harms or benefits by giving reasons and suppling evidence (examples).
After the due date for posting your paragraph, I will release everyone’s work. At that point, begin a conversation with one other person about their response before the second due date. For full credit, post a minimum of two replies. Grading is based on originality and honesty. Back up your opinions with examples. Everyone’s response should be unique.
The costumes suggest it happened in the Jazz Age where the outfits were flashy and bold. With the women wearing very revealing clothing and feathered outfits. The set looks to be a decently sized circular thrusts stage with fences surrounding it except for the front of the stage. This took place at the Cotton Club during the Jazz Age where theatre production started to favor the blacks.
This definitely benefited, as it gave them rise and attention to the African Americans in theatre and showed that they were just as capable. Despite racial tension and heavy stereotyping of Africans, performers like Duke Ellington, who played at the Cotton Club, played a crucial role in bringing African American jazz to the world’s attention. Plus this was the only avenue or way they had access that publicly allowed them to them despite it being inherently racist, without facing immediate and widespread contempt. “They did not see how Africa took to the American stage and created what would be the first known American theater form” this exposure not only laid the groundwork for the start of African American art forms but also the climb in broader acceptance and appreciation. Overall, the benefits, of the cultural representation of African American talent in theatre, outweigh the harm of the racist stereotypical contexts in which these performances were often framed.
I agree that it has benefited African Americans in theatre. I do like that you brought attention to the racial tension aspect and how these stereotypes were a way to connect with a white audience while providing a way to express themselves and show they are more than their stereotypes.
Yes jazz music and dance help benefit the black community. They were making good music at the time which were making then very intriguing. Jazz culture benefitted them in brought black people together. It helps them unite and the public was seeing the comradery. The people that were painted their faces was being racist. I think they were trying to depict black in negative way through sound and dance. They saw what sounds and dances was doing for the black community.
Hello Khalil, I do see that point. I am glad that you mention how united the community. And also mentioned the race I know it’s sad to hear how much they were trying to depict the black community and I know that only made them stronger as one phrase that it said that could be applied here. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Jazz music and dance acted as a unifying energy, by bringing black people together in a shared cultural space. However, the use of blackface was a dark stain on this. reflecting the racism of the time by attempting to belittle black individuals through distorted portrayals.
Hi Khalil, I agree with your comment. While some individuals resorted to racist practices like blackface, attempting to degrade African Americans, the resilience and power of jazz and dance prevailed, highlighting the positive impact they had on black culture and unity.
I am very conflicted about my stance on whether Jazz music and dance did more harm than good to African Americans. On one hand it did allow African Americans to get their foot in the door for theater and it has allowed black people to grow and actually build careers through that form of media, however, on the other hand the representation of black people through black face perpetuated negative stereotypes. In the clip you can see how it showed how it exaggerated their lips to be extremely big. There is also one particular moment at 5:49 where the man with black face is shaking his face, kind of like a slobbering dog. It’s like the black man doesn’t know how to act decently. It is a negative portrayal like this that has lasted until this very day because black people are still fighting stereotypes like this. In today’s media and everyday life, you still hear people saying that black people are big lipped, uneducated, watermelon eaters. I actually think while it did do quite a bit of damage, I would argue that it actually benefited them slightly more. Realistically speaking, I don’t see how blacks get into theater without allowing themselves to be portrayed negatively and masking their true selves given how racist America was. They had to get their foot into the door of theater, and once their foot was in, they opened the doors for Americans to eventually see the true brilliance of black performers. It was their sacrifice that allowed us to eventually see that black people are human are just as any other color and that they’re amazing at the craft of theater and performing as well. If it wasn’t for the sacrifice of Bert Williams and others, who knows if we would’ve seen the brilliance of Katt Williams, Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington and many others.
I’m glad you talked on the con of minstrelsy and how it still affects African Americans way beyond its origins. I definitely agree on how blacks must’ve seen the job as degrading but a necessary evil to hope for better outcomes.
I agree in the idea of minstrelsy and how African Americans use of it has helped guide them into entertainment. It goes without saying that the racism blacks had to endure in the past has been a stepping stone towards an amicable future for black entertainment. What’s also important to note is that Minstrelsy, is quite active even today. With black producers like Tyler Perry, or TV shows like the Boondocks. Although it is not in the form of theatre, the idea of a negative portrayal of African Americans is still active even today. In the modern day however, instead of Minstrelsy, we just call it comedy. Although, comedy is often influenced by stereotypes and absurdity; the idea of Minstrelsy has been preservered throughout the century by entertainment. I also concur that Minstrelsy did a bit more good than harm. There are so many successful African Americans in the present day industry, that it would’ve been unimaginable in the past.
Navigating the impact of Jazz music and dance on the African American community brings up mixed feelings for me too. While it opened doors for black people in theater, especially as performers, the use of blackface and stereotypes was hurtful. Blackface performances exaggerated black features and behaviors, reinforcing negative ideas about African Americans. Despite this, early black performers showed incredible strength in a racist society and their efforts paved the way for later black artists to become popular.
I completely understand your conflict regarding the impact of Jazz music and dance on African Americans. It’s indeed a complex issue with layers of both positive and negative consequences. But this was crucial at the time when it was one of the opportunities for black performers to gain recognition with systemic racism. Yet, as you pointed out, the sacrifices made by black performers like Bert Williams and Duke Ellington were key figures in breaking down barriers and paving a path for future African American performers. So they had to endure the indignity of performing in Blackface to gain access to mainstream theaters, where they eventually showcased their true talents and humanity. Which in the end, the positive changes in the future does outweigh the negatives of the past.
The jazz music and dance showcased at the Cotton Club ultimately benefited African Americans by providing a platform for cultural expression and economic advancement. While the presence of blackface performances perpetuated harmful stereotypes, African American artists like Duke Ellington were able to assert their talents and challenge racial barriers. Their success helped to elevate the status of black performers and pave the way for greater opportunities in the entertainment industry, ultimately outweighing the harm caused by reinforcing racist attitudes.
Hello Jun w I do see your point, and I am glad that you included the harm and also how they benefited. I also like how you included Duke Ellington his strength made him one of the pioneers for the entertainment industry.
Jeremy Perricone | D276
The performance at the Cotton Club looks like it is taking place outside of an upscale house, with servants who change their clothes to look more like a typical entertainer. It suggest the main singer, who is wearing a suit, is the owner of the house.
I believe, although being mocked in minstrelsy isn’t an ideal situation, at the time it had done more to benefit African Americans. In a country that had just abolished slavery there weren’t many opportunities in entertainment for them. As said by James Weldon Johnson, who performed as a minstrel, companies had provided stage training and theatrical experience for African Americans, something they couldn’t obtain anywhere else. The jazz and dance at the Cotton Club was being enjoyed by a white audience, and as Overton Walker said, it had left a good impression ono the populace.
I agree more with your ideal of minstrel derision because minstrelsy at the time provided African Americans with stage training and theater experience and were able to get white people to embrace their culture and accept them.
But I disagree with you about the Cotton Club Show. Perhaps because of the costumes and performances, you’d think it might be performed outside a fancy mansion. To me, it was more like a bar, because the bars back then were no different than the bars we have now, with a performance stage in front and a lot of people gathering underneath at the same time. The most important thing is that judging from the women’s dance and costumes, this is very similar to the dance in the bar now, both of which are relatively popular types.
Good points, Jeremy. Do you believe that this was a turning point for blacks changing how they were viewed? Even though they were performing and showing off negative stereotypes, was this when whites, even if it was a small percentage, really started to see the talent and human nature of the black community.
Do you believe that jazz music and dance in the clip did more to harm African Americans or benefit them? Take a strong position and argue for only one of the other. Explain why you think it harms or benefits by giving reasons and supplying evidence
Jazz Music and Dance in the clip was beneficial towards African Americans. While audience members were still segregated, on stage, everyone was dancing freely with black and white folks. Equal but separate was an insane law that needed to be challenged and these types of shows of interracial art forms was one of the few ways the law could be challenged. After all, people are a product of their time and the only way to change someone’s mindset is through art.
The costumes in the 1930s Harlem clip show women dressed as French maids (white dresses with red polka dots, aprons, and mop buckets). Then they switched to a more revealing costume with feathers, showing a more wild vibe. These costumes and costume switches indicate sensual and intensified emotions and show a time when women were able to show more skin. The lyrics and costumes also explore themes of cultural identity, since jazz is greatly rooted in African American history and background. This is taking place in the 1930s.
Thinking about the clip from the Cotton Club and the article I believe jazz music and dance did more harm to the African American community. The African American community were exploited , the article quoting “The most damaging aspect of the minstrel show was this codification and popularization of the ‘negro’ stereotype.”. And instead of an African American community gaining popularity financially and giving their respected praise/homage “Christy’s troupe would not only give the minstrel its definitive form but would also popularize the music of Stephen A. Foster.”. The African American artists were also excluded from institutions like “The American Actor’s Benevolent Association”. In summary, while jazz music and dance undoubtedly delivered avenues for cultural expression and empowerment for African Americans, they were also subjected to exploitation and misrepresentation.
I also think that black people were exploited to a great degree. I just believe that there were no other opportunities for blacks to get into theater without the exploitation and misrepresentation. It was in a sense, the only realistic way to get their foot in the door. Do you think blacks could have gotten into theater realistically without these consequences and stereotypes given how racist America was?
In the beginning of Cotton club video, you see the dancers dressed as the Mammy caricature before changing into more provocative costumes. The set is reminiscent of southern plantations that slave owners owned in that time. Even the houses style pays homage to Greek architecture which is commonly referred to a period of power and wealth.
I don’t believe that Jazz music and dance harmed African Americans even in the era of minstrel performances. It kind of felt like they were able showcase their talent even when portrayed in a negative light. The minstrel shows had high quality white actors like Thomas Dartmouth Rice performing them so if the African Americans are also taking on those roles, and are executing extraordinary acts, then that would mean they can be useful in many career fields. There would be exploitation of their talents with low pay or treatment due to being seen as less than their white counterparts but it put African Americans on the map in the entertainment industry.
jianwei shi
The story shown in the film could have taken place in the Cotton Club during the Jazz Age. The costume performances of the time show the segregation between blacks and whites, as the relationship between blacks and whites was not equal from the beginning, but rather a relationship of employment. As well as the openness of the women of that era, such as Tuhon’s dance style and characterization, the actresses perform in revealing and daring costumes. In the movie, we can hear the African Americans of the time creating a unique style of music on stage. From the set in the movie, it appears that the show took place in a bar, as in addition to the circular stage in the set, there was a small dining table behind the surrounding fence for patrons to eat while watching the show.
I think the jazz and dance in the clip is more favorable to African Americans because it can better help white Americans accept the attitudes of African American culture. “Which they illustrate through the medium of songs, refrains, lectures, and dances, accompanying themselves on instruments of a peculiar nature… Their melodies have all been produced at great toil and expense……the subject of each ascribing the manner in which the slaves celebrate their holidays, which commence at the gathering of the sugar and cotton crops (Raising Cain).” From this passage, we learn that the minstrels, through their ethnic performances, brought this group to the limelight at the same time and made them easier to understand and identify with. When African Americans took to the stage and created the first known form of American theater, their performers didn’t simply hide, but embodied the spirit by stomping, clapping, and pounding their bodies. It was Lane who fused these vernacular dance forms together to become the foundation of today’s American tap dance style. All in all, jazz and dance did take a toll on African Americans, but it also helped more whites understand the community and accept them.
After reading and watching the documentary, what I could tell it’s that this benefited the community. Benefited the community as provided more opportunities and opened up minorities art and showed what Harlem really is. There was racism and it does look disgusting and sick. It does show progress was being made and providing opportunity.
All graded