Jim Crow's Tears
Jim Crow is symbolic of every person who has been mislabeled with a
stereotype and felt the painful results of discrimination. In many ways
Jim Crow’s development through this suite is parallel to my own
journey. The more I learn about minstrelsy, the more I am driven to
fight the stereotypes that are still perpetuated today. Sometimes I am
driven to tears when I think of the injustices that many people face.
Even worse to me is how unaware people are of how it affects us today.
The Modern Day Minstrel Show
THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK ON HIP HOP. I am a fan of hip hop music, and I
think there are some great artists out there making creative and
entertaining work. However, there are many things I see and hear in the
media that trouble me. The language and content of a lot of popular
music is very degrading to African Americans and other groups of
people. One of the main goals of this suite is to expose
characteristics of minstrelsy that are still present in today’s society.
No More Coonin'
I want to see people fight against the images society has created of
them. The message in this movement is not meant to be a solution; it’s
actually more of a dream of mine. I feel the best thing we can do to
fight discrimination is to learn more about our history, and learn as
much as we can about different cultures. I personally will no longer
comply with a vision that someone else has created for me. Instead I
choose to take full responsibility for who I am and the way I conduct
my life.
The Land of Promise
I am not suggesting that African Americans need to move to Africa, but
instead that every group of people should be aware of their true
origins. My research has inspired me to learn more about my family’s
history, and about the history of my ancestors. What the journey home
really represents is a change in my heart, sort of like the calm after
the storm. After hours of viewing blackface images and reading about
what my ancestor’s endured in this country, I finally found a solution
that worked for me: take advantage of every opportunity I have to use
my musical gifts to promote tolerance and peace between people of
different backgrounds.
Black Stains of Burnt Cork Ashes
slide show of black
iconography
I believe that minstrelsy has left a very unpleasant mark on America.
Not just African Americans, but on every group of people who have
witnessed its ugly stain. I really wanted to take this time to
introduce the audience to the images that inspired this entire suite. I
know it is painful to see these images, but in order to progress we
must remember the troubled past that we have already endured. Not to
turn back, but instead to remind us where we never want to end up again.
