Minstrel Shows & Josephine Baker

The vast contrast between black americans that we subject to minstrel shows and a black superstar like Joséphine Baker shows major issues in the United States, especially how black people might cultivate their identity. 

Black face in general is painful to see today, as the United States is still going through major upheaval (or at least trying to do so) of structures that are in place that directly suppress black people... IN 2020! After watching the videos over Joséphine Baker and Minstrel shows, it sometimes feels like oppression is still current and relevant, after 100 years of work to undo that very system. Blackface today is met with horrific backlash and any kind of appropriation is heavily discouraged. I cannot help but think of current appropriation that is happening amongst "influencers" who want to change their hair, skin color, even eye color, to be perceived as the race in which they are NOT. (see pictures below)

Understanding Minstrel shows in the pretense of their time is shameful and crass, but to know that these shows were created to in fact to depict and see "black life" through a distorted lense. Minstrel shows tried to create a false narrative of Black Life at that time, in order to appease and entertain white people. This kind of tokenism would lead to even more racism and fear amongst POC. 

The stark difference between Black people in America in the 1920's and the life of Joséphine Baker is truly inspiring. The first word that comes to mind after learning about her life and how she became famous, I cannot help but think of her as "colorful". She did what she wanted, she made fun of black tropes that were perpetuated, she showed her talents, and she made money. I believe Ms. Bakers life was opportunistic and I wish so badly that she was not the first and last Black Superstart. There should be more black artists, and even more attention, money, and fame to those people. Her life, her legacy is a bit of hope in this time where we are in need of stories like Joséphine's.