Blackface Minstrel Shows
- From the racist
stereotypes that emerged
on southern plantations
came “Blackface” – a
popular form of
entertainment that
became very popular in
the 19th century up into
the Vaudeville days in
the 1920s/30s.
- Blackface was a theatrical
style of makeup that
white people used to play
black people
- The characters were
based purely on negative
stereotypes of Blacks and
perpetuated the idea that
black people were lazy, stupid, ignorant, buffoonish, superstitious, sneaky and
untrustworthy.
- White (and even black) actors would apply the surface of a burnt cork or shoe
polish to their face to give their skin an inky, greasy, dark complexion.
- They would also wear thick, woollen wigs and old and ragged and tattered clothes
- “Minstrel” performances gained popularity before the American Civil War and most
shows contained singing, dancing and slapstick comedy.
“Blackface” continues today with
many people still dressing up in
costume. Examine the following
examples. What inappropriate
and racist stereotypes are being
reinforced in these pictures?
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