Minstrelsy, but not necessarily Blackface

The notion of the Minstrel Show brings to mind performers, both black and white, costumed and in blackface. That is not necessarily how minstrelsy has to take place. Since the late 1800’s, minstrelsy has evolved significantly. The traditional minstrel show pretty much ceased during the time of the Cold War for political reasons. Since then, minstrelsy has taken on a much wider meaning: any time that characters enact stereotypes for the amusement of others. Wearing a colored face is mockery that perpetuates and publicizes racial stereotypes, and adds to the platform that people can use as a basis for bigotry. Minstrelsy is often, but not always put on by an actor who is not part of the targeted group. These acts often involve Blackface, Yellowface, Brownface, or other types of Fake Nationality, but not always. Last year Ashton Kutcher did an ad for Popchips in Brownface. The full ad has since been removed from Youtube, but little bits of it and a sprinkling of commentary on it can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I3KGj5dwSw.

One other note of modern minstrelsy that comes to mind is a stand-up bit by Chris Rock entitled, "Niggas vs. Black People". It is one of Rock’s most famous and most controversial routines. The track is basically a rant about behaviors that he sees in a small part of the black community.  He describes "niggas" as a group whose behavior (that embodies many negative African-American stereotypes) is damaging to the image of other black people. The "niggas," he said, elevate ignorance and idleness, and boast about fulfilling small responsibilities. Rock rejects the view that such an image is solely promoted by the media. On the recording of his stand-up album, following this bit, a white fan comes up to him after the show and can be heard saying "I hate niggers too!" before the noise of a punch.

            After not too long, Chris Rock pulled the bit. During an interview with 60 Minutes he commented, “I think a lot of people were thinking in those terms and hadn't been able to say it. By the way, I've never done that joke again, ever, and I probably never will. 'Cause some people that were racist thought they had license to say n-----. So, I'm done with that routine." The bit can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3PJF0YE-x4. Also, NBC’s “The Office” directly referenced this bit in its episode Diversity Day.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVXGnXgL-dI).