Music - the ministrel show - Assignment Example

Music - The Minstrel Show Quote Music was a central aspect of the minstrel show. For many white northerners, the minstrel shows were their only glimpse into black southern slave life, music, food, and culture. Though skewed and unrealistic, the performances brought issues of slavery to the hearts and minds of white Americans” (OTRCAT.com 3).Reaction The choice of this passage was based on the influence of the minstrel show of creating awareness of the experiences of African in Southern parts of America to the northerners.

The northerners lacked any idea of the oppressive life in the southern parts and the shows provided the only opportunity to create awareness. The passage relates to the topic of impact of stereotypes in the society and creates a deep message for the white Americans that discriminated the black people slave trade era. From the passage one learns that the minstrel shows and the entire music industry could be instrumental in delivering messages not deeply received through other forms. The passage raises questions about the efforts of the Americans in combating the injustices towards the black Americans.

More information would be necessary to show the aftermath of the minstrel performances on the welfare of the African-Americans.Quote 2 “Early minstrelsy was not only about race, but also class and region; it was as much anti-Southern as it was anti-black. There were also black minstrel troupes, comprised largely of African-American men (Brooker and Clayton Minstrel Show, Thomas Dilward, William Henry Lane, Callendars Minstrels, and Blackbirds) imitating poor and uneducated African-Americans from the south” (OTRCAT.com 4).ReactionThis passage was chosen because it shows the diverse impacts of the minstrel shows on the society that goes beyond undermining the African cultures.

The shows were mainly intended to humiliate the African Americans but in contrast it affected the entire southern society. The passage relates to the topic of development of the stereotypes due to the minstrel show and impacts to the entertainment industry as well as the society. Through the passage, one learns about the emergence of stereotypes imitating uneducated Black Americans that shows influence in the entertainment industry. It also shows some superior capabilities/ talents for of the black southerners.

It raises question based on the educational status of Africans and more information would be needed on the educational developments for southerners due to the performances of the show. Work CitedOTRCAT.com. (N.D). History of Minstrel Shows. Web. http://www.otrcat.com/minstrel-shows-1-introduction.html