*distant yee-hawing*

☆ commission work: click here to view commission info.

Minstrel Shows Never Actually Ended

Blackface in minstrel performance is embedded in the culture of America. The mockery of Black suffering is embedded in the root of entertainment. You cannot talk about American entertainment without talking about minstrel shows, because that was the start. Even though it is not socially acceptable to do minstrel shows, that doesn't mean people were suddenly like, "You know what? You're right. I suddenly care about how Black people feel." No! People were still singing songs from their favorite minstrel shows. The stereotypes that these shows created still exist and were passed down from generation to generation. Which brings us to today. We as a people, as a society, have come so far. It's really easy for us to forget about our past and our history. It's easy to pretend that it didn't happen and didn't shape our society. But the truth is, for many actors of color, they still have to be a minstrel-like caricature of themselves to succeed in entertainment. Not only that, minstrel shows still exist, but now the white minstrels who are performing these shows are not in blackface. But the central idea is the same and very clear: We are going to make fun of you, and laugh at you, because you're Black.

Sources from the Description:

Minstrel Shows (Wikipedia)

Blackface: The Roots of a Racist Art Form  (YouTube)

A Brief History of The Minstrel Show  (YouTube)

Minstrelsy Debate and Community Accountability (TikTok)

Blackface: The Birth of An American Stereotype (National Museum of African American History & Culture)

Minstrel Shows (Britannica)

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gimp - a bit rough around the edges, but gimp has a wonderful toolbar and various adjustment levels. one can also edit gifs on this free software.

pixlr - a free online photo editor with various effects and filters to use. 

sumopaint - a free online Flash-based image editor similar to Adobe Photoshop.

lunapic - is a free and easy to use online photo editor.