2 weeks ago at the University of Southern California Michael Alexander, from Temple University, gave a lecture at The Casden Institute for the Study of Jews in American Life on Minstrelsy as a discourse on how Jews used this form of entertainment to rise economically as well as to identify with the African American struggle. The term Minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety of acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in black face. Minstrel shows portrayed blacks in stereotypical ways as ignorant Upon researching this method of entertainment, its roots are well into the late 17th century were slaves were portrayed as slow and musical people. When the Jews were under persecution in Europe and were segregated by the known citizens, it was a smart strategy to find a way back into society through the guise of another race while identifying with their own heritage. However, can a group of people or even a few people seem to resist changing their identity in order to fit in and become like the very people they disliked upon entering that land? Can a few people actually hold fast to their heritage and upbringing without selling it out to degrading another culture?
During Professor Alexanders' lecture, he also mentioned that Minstrelsy is a racially unjust tradition that Jews in the late 19th and early 20 th Century practiced to gain a foot hole in American lime light. Which brings us to the discussion about whether our Identities enable us to be fixed and unmovable by societies waves of injustice. The word Identity according Domaine de Nianing - Novara - Oxford - Bydgoszcz - Bern 2002 states that the word comes from the Latin "idem" meaning 'the same' or "identidem" that means 'repeatedly,' 'in the same way.' Referring to a human being, these characteristics do not seem to portray very appealing/interesting traits." By this assertion, even identity seems to be a stagnant and dull reality for this dynamic phase shifting construct of reality that we live in and to go against the grain seems illogical and foolish. However I assert that this is exactly what is needed in a changing environment, and thus our identity can not shift to one thing after another to suit society. Rather it is not so much as how strong our Identity is but instead what it is anchored in. For instance, in the spirit of honoring Black History month, I inject that it was because of Dr. Martin Lut
her King's resolve, and assured religious background and teaching that kept him grounded in his quest despite the resistance , as well as Harriet Tubman determination to free her people form the slavery of her time.When situations were unbearable, these two heroes of African Americans staid the course and fought for their agenda without resorting to penetrating the stereotypes of another race or their own. However, I can not say the same for Bill Kersands, James A. Blaud, San Lucas, and Wallace King who became famous African American men in the Minstrel shows as much as any white performer just about sixty years after Harriet Tubman's view of using ones craftiness for the good of her own people.
In conclusion, Religion has sameness and rigidity in quality that allows it to stand the test of time and to allow its followers a path of joy even though they are going through turmoil where they can still, and still fight for what they believe in with out missing a beat. It has a since of a moral backbone that will not falter under pressure from the world and will give their constituents a quality resilience of being hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Upon what foundation is your Identity built on, sand or on a rock?
1 comment:
As I was reading your post I found myself trying to answer the same questions you asked. Can people actually hold on to their heritage without selling out by degrading another culture? I believe that they can, but it would not be easy, and in this day and age people tend to look for the easy way, especially if it come to being accepted by culture different from their own. I agree that what ones identity is anchored in, is a key component to the identity itself. As a culture, unfortunately, we are moving further away from religion in attempts to perhaps assimilate into the predominat culture. By doing so, “we don’t go against the grain” and at the same time we don’t cause any waves that may cause controversy. But I wonder, have there been any instances where religion may have negatively affected a person? Has some people been discouraged from pursuing their dreams due to the restrictions and limitations their religion preaches? In addition, you state that African Americans engaged in Minstrelsy themselves; so I dont take the Minstrelsy portrayed by the Jews as a mockery of African-Americans. It may have simply been a way of artistic self–expression that the Jews may have emulated. What do you suggest people do to strengthen their identity while staying true to their own culture and religions beliefs? Overall, I respect your point of view and the questions you raised.
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