Race, Class and Leadership
One of the people who fought or the rights of Negroes in America in the late 19th century and early 20th century was Mr. Booker T. Washington. This was at a time that blacks were yet to receive equal opportunities and social treatment to their white counterparts. Mr. Washington faced a lot of opposition but was persistent in his effort in north and south of America. This awakened a thirst for equality among most blacks even after the death of Mr. Washington and other famous activists. Groups such as the ‘Talented Tenth’ came up that sought to fight for freedom through the efforts of the talented or trained few. The struggle called for sacrifice, aristocracy, character and a planned program by those who organized the struggle for equality among the black and white races.
Bamboozled and Mimicry
Blacks used the film industry as mimicry to depict how the whites treated them. Additionally, they sought to show a balanced society where they had equal opportunities. The film Bamboozled depicts an elite black who imitates the racist habits of whites. Andrew Thompson plays this role well. This film made whites uncomfortable as they were seeing blacks being depicted as having a balanced life. Some roles were made to be negative so that the film is more realistic rather than a fairy tale. Additionally, the film even includes white actors who speak with a black dialect. The film seeks to depict a new America where blacks are successful in various areas of life. Blacks entered the film industry after the civil war that led to an increase in the freedom of African Americans who were previously mere slaves.
Photography on the Color Line
Some newspapers were in support of white supremacy and made numerous publications depicting the inability of blacks to go up the social ladder. One such publication included a photograph that depicted a prospective black buyer with a female partner seeking to purchase some chignon for the black lady. This was ridiculous since blacks had tuft hair as opposed to the smooth European hair of white ladies. Chignon was used by white ladies only. This was just one of mockery cartoons and photographs that blacks received in the newspaper publications especially one that was famous: Harper’s weekly.
