"Blacks and Vaudeville"
To see where African Americans started, dehumanized and performing based off vicious pride stripped stereotypes is incredibly grounding and unreal when we consider how far our evolution of society and entertainment has evolved.
"Shoe shine boy", "Black Face" white masks hiding the color of skin for nearly 40 years, stylized rags, over announced voices- all riddles and gags taken from the Northern stage, highlighting the ignorance of the world at the time.
Just last night, woman of the century, Beyonce performed at the Super Bowl and had EVERYONE obsessing over her perfection, not just effortless confidence and beauty but pure talent: song and dance. So many of our performers that we value and adore are of ethnic descent whether it's African America, Latina or a combination of backgrounds- ethnicity today in entertainment is embraced as something beautiful.
"Josephine Baker: the first Black Super Star"
"Her body was democracy's body- all of the modernist art, poetry, music movements rolled in one dancing body"
Born in 1906, uneducated and poor in deeply segregated times, she became a symbol of liberation and bravery. Danced her way out in the Vaudeville circus, arrived in New York in 1921, just at the start of the Harlem Renaissance, Roaring 20's Era.
Comedy girls at the end of the chorus line- speaks to the charisma, confidence and spirit that made her a natural performer. Called a comedy performance girl, too big not too notice and became the highest paid.
What struck me most was her decision to end her young marriage with Willie Baker, as it's described "she caught the negro fever" and had an unwavering desire to perform.. the pure strength and surge of independence behind such an outbreak is timelessly inspiring but even more honorable as it was such a bold move of the time. Women were made to obey, always belittled, used by men when needed- it's around this time in the mid 20's where women begin to have a surge of sexuality and confidence and become comfortable in their skin. Josephine Baker, not just a woman, but an African American women quickly realized her love and need wasn't to be with someonelse or settle, it was to unwrap her true lively self and go after adventure, that which led her down a path that one could normally only dream of.
Beyonce, Shakira, Nicki Manaj, Jenifer Lopez- these powerfully talented starlets of today's society are the modern day formation of Baker's liberating foundation that made society recognize the magnetizing allure of women super stars.
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