I have been thinking about Dan Emmett and about old-time minstrel shows. Thinking about what he means to Mt. Vernon and what minstrel shows meant back then and what feelings they evoke in people now.

During the 1800’s-early1900’s, the minstrel show was one of the most popular forms of entertainment all across the country. South and north. There were even ‘negro’ minstrels who smoothed on shiny black grease paint. Bert Williams, an African American was famous. (look him up on the internet or find his biography at the library.)

The problem is that minstrel show’s humor was very derogatory and demeaning to black people. Minstrels portrayed blacks as shiftless, lazy and stupid. That was supposed to be the joke. In fact minstrels were just another way of perpetuating the comfort of white privilege and white supremacy (the worst legacy of slavery.)

So, how should we feel about black face minstrel shows, when they were performed hundreds of years ago or that they are once-in-awhile performed now. As a joke?

Dan Emmett is Mt. Vernon’s favorite son because he was talented, entertaining and performed all over the country. Even today his songs are fondly remembered, especially in the south. Probably all Mt. Vernon school children know who Dan Emmett was. But do all of the children, black and white, know nineteenth century minstrel show history and realize the impact of Mr. Emmett painting his face black?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are you comfortable talking about this show business? With family? With friends? In class with black and white classmates?

Talking about racism will make it someday go away. We have just got to trust the conversation.