Ethnic Notions (movie)

-Mammy: fat, dark skinned, obedient to her master, loyal and protective of “big house.” She was stripped of her sexual allure to pose no threat and she was also presented as controller of her own people.

-Sambo: was a simple, docile laughing/singing classic symbol of the black man.

-Pickaninny: black children characterized as animals or subhuman.

 

After slavery blacks were considered an offense to civilization; the white men tried to figure a reason to go back to slavery and a reason for killing the black people.

 

Violence became an accepted method of social control over blacks.

 

In film the black roles were played by white Irish men who painted their faces black. Later when blacks were able to be apart of theatre they had to take on the name of an Irish man and also paint their faces black. Blacks perceived the minstrel stage as a doorway out of poverty and hunger.

 

The reality of black life in early 1900’s took on a dramatic change: black servicemen were put into roles as servers and entertainers for the white men.

 

In the 1920’s to the WWII black-face permeated the film industry. Black faces appeared on covers of knick-knacks such as pancakes boxes, beans, syrup and oysters.

 

T.D. Rice

-Ethiopian comedian

-became known as the Jim Crow character

-exaggerated a dance from a crippled called “the Jim Crow dance.

 

Zipcoone

-imitated whites

-he and Jim Crow became a powerful force together.

 

Blacks were also being perceived as ugly, and racial cartoons sent messages that blacks were from savages. But the entertainment was being dominated by dancing and singing darkies.

 

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia

-This museum is used to collect and exhibit objects related to racial segregation, civil rights and anti-black caricatures. And also promote racial understanding and healing.

 

-reflects post and present racism.

 

Values:

-Racism is wrong: prejudice and discrimination of any group is wrong and must be opposed.

-Fight Against Racism: social problems cannot solve themselves. “Time is neutral.” (MLK)

-Scholarship is Essential: top quality research. No conflict between activism and objective scholarship. Collaborative learning between students and faculty. Scholars debunking the myths about Black Americans.

-We are a Community: educating students, faculty and community about issues of race and racism.

-We Must Serve: reject “ivory tower” model of scholarly life.

 

Vision:

“I have a goal to create a room that when people come into that room, it changes the way they talk about race.” (Dr. David Pilgrim)

Ethnic Notions (movie)

-Watching this video I became aware of how black people were really treated and perceived by the white men. It was upsetting to see and hear some of the things that was actually going on, I myself cannot imagine how it must of felt to be treated as animals and feel so inferior to another race of people.

-This video made me think of how little I know and how little other people know about our ancestors and what they went through. I think that it is my duty as an African American to know our history and maybe in steal that history in my peers.

- The Ethnic Notions movie was very insightful to our class learning objective on race. This help show how “race” had evolved and what it means to be a person of color.

-The impact I felt made me stop and think that I can be out promoting awareness of what race really is and what our people went through for a better society. I can bring a voice to our young African American generation.

 

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia

-I think this museum was a good way to display what racism really was for those who aren’t aware. It provides an educational experience for those just learning or wanting to learn more about racism and segregation.

-I feel like this idea for the museum should be on display in every major city so that everyone can have a chance to learn and experience what went on during those times.

-In our learning objective we talk about what race really means and where was it derived from? This museum teaches a little about what race is and how it affected people back then and how it has changed over time but has not completely went away.

-I am thinking in terms of how many people are unaware of racism and what it really is but I do understand how they aren’t cause until this semester I never really sat and thought what the term “race” means.