Minstrel shows were a very strange phenomenon. They emerged from European traditions, but in the US in 1830, it consisted of working class white men dressing up in black face. These men imitated black music and dance forms. Does this show a fond for the African American culture or is it making fun of them? It’s both. They are expressing normally forbidden longings. This was calling the attention of “whiteness” and not “blackness.” Meaning that when someone would see the show, they would ask: “Why is this white guy wearing a black face?” I think this is very strange and don’t see how this could have ended up being a good thing. I mean is it not disrespectful to the African American community, having white people dress as them? This is also more common than I thought. The song Dixie, is about the south written for white people to be sung in black face. Too old of an example? How about the famous examples of bugs bunny or mickey mouse? They are technically dark colored body characters with white face. These are all minstrel characters. The minstrel shows were popular back in the 1830s and still to this day we can find it? 50 cent himself is a popular black rapper who has a different persona’s when on stage then in public places. Is this also an example from the minstrel times? It sure is. In our current society, there are numerous racial stereotypes that are present; yet we laugh at them or fail to acknowledge their presence. Many people blame minstrel shows for the exploiting and dehumanizing the African American race. There are still so many unanswered questions I have or the public has about these Minstrel shows.