I think the movie Ethnic Notions emphasized the situation of minstrels as discussed in Fauset’s “The Gift of Laughter.” It’s ironic how black actors had to blacken their faces to actually fit into the stage life. This idea is contrasting to Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man due to the fact that he decided to pass for white for he felt he would be limited as a black musician. I’m curious as to how other African Americans (who weren’t minstrels) felt about those such as Bert Williams who decided to be presented as the “funny man” of America. Blacks made jokes about themselves and gave into the racism, discrimination, and what whites wanted to see in the entertainment business.
From what I saw in Ethnic Notions, the acts that black minstrels played were degrading to all African Americans, but especially males. (due to the fact that black males played minstrels on stage) They made themselves look foolish and act as though the black race was a joke, which is how whites saw them instead of human beings. This reigns true for the ethnic caricatures that were displayed in cartoons and greeting cards during this time. Throughout slavery and the civil rights movement, blacks have felt inferior to the white race and these are just more examples of how they were degraded.
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I also was wondering how men like Bert Williams were perceived by other African Americans at the time. Fauset definitely seemed sympathetic and I would also say, almost proud of what a talented actor he was, if only he had been allowed to do ‘legitimate’ acting. However, I do think there were probably some, and I would guess those would have been more educated men, who were insulted by what they felt he was doing just to make money. I would even say that this is a debate still today, in terms of rappers and some comedians, especially when they make comments about women.
You make a good point about how African Americans had a small and inferior role that they could play in popular entertainment, to the point where black actors had to dumb themselves down in order to play roles. The decision about whether or not to play that role in exchange for the opportunity must have been a very difficult one for African American performers.
While we were watching Ethnic Notions, I began to feel a little bit confused about the role of the black actor during the Harlem Renaissance. We sort of touched on this in class today, but I'm curious to know if black actors ever considered that by portraying their race in the jokingly negative manner of black face, they were simply giving whites the idea that blacks didn't disprove of the mockery being made of them. I feel that if I were in the position of a black man playing black face, I would feel extremely humiliated.
Everybody has different views about this, but the general consenus is that the minstel shows were bad and very degrading. I agree that they were bad in alot of ways, but i also see them as a bit of progress. i have to look at the positive side of things in that blacks and whites were enjoying something together. i missed the film but wonder how the blacks were treated after the show..
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