Po' Nixxa

“I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there aren’t forgotten.”

-Dan Emmett’s “Dixie”

The art of clowning has existed for thousands of years. Clowning can be traced back to Khemet in the fifth dynasty in the court of Pharaoh Dadkeri-Assi. Versions of the court jester, buffoon and comic that later evolved into the modern-day clown also emerged in ancient Greece, India and China. Throughout the course of history clowning also carry a dark, complex aspect as well.

A new type of clown character was developed during the early-nineteenth century debate over slavery. That was the blackface minstrel. These clowns portrayed African American characters by blackening their face using burnt cork and then using white make up to make their lips standout so their expressions were easily seen. Part of the African American stereotype was that Blacks had large feet so the Minstrel clowns wore over sized shoes. Black face entertainers where considered clowns, who appeared in both Whiteface and Blackface include Dan Rice, Tony Pastor, Robert Sherwood, Dan Gardner, William Burke, Pete Conklin, and Spader Johnson. Dan Emmett, known as one of the founders of the Minstrel Show, performed as a clown with Welch’s Olympic Circus prior to performing in Blackface. Tom Heath also performed as a circus clown before creating his famous Blackface character.

In his book Clowns author John Towsen found , “white entertainers wearing black make up date back at least to 1769.”  For example, sometimes the singing clowns appearing in one-ring circuses performed Negro songs. These early Blackface entertainers were isolated examples instead of part of a trend. 

The 1830s are generally considered as the beginning of Minstrel Show period because that is when Thomas “Daddy” Rice introduced his Blackface act. His act was an imitation of a song and dance he saw performed by a crippled African American stable boy named Jim Crow. T. D. Rice purchased the boy’s shabby clothing and wore it for his costume. His “Jim Crow” act became popular when he performed it at New York ’s Bowery Theater in 1832 and inspired many imitators.

Originally Blackface performers were known as Ethiopian Delineators. In 1843 Dan Emmett, Frank Bower, Frank Pelham and Billy Whitlock formed “The Virginia Minstrels,” the first complete Minstrel show. This was the first time the term Minstrel was used for Blackface performances. The Virginia Minstrels established the format that would be followed by other Minstrel troupes.

Minstrel Shows played a detrimental role to the plight of African Americans. This form of entertainment would strengthen the stereotypes of inferiority, and justify policies for further subjugation. For example, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is thought of today as an anti-slavery text.  However, according to David Carolyn, when Dan Rice wore Blackface to portray Tom in his 1853 stage version of the Uncle Tom’s Cabin the runaway slaves suffered after they reached freedom  and wished they were back in their plantation home where they were comfortable.  Southerns used the minstrel stereotype to justify for there actions under the guise of “protecting their slaves".” Northerners used the minstrel stereotype to justify not supporting abolition because they thought slaves led a carefree life full of song, dance, and play while being devoid of responsibility. After Emancipation the stereotype depicted in Minstrel shows was used to justify racism.

When the Civil War ended the slaves were freed amidst the economic devastation of the Southern States many weren’t prepared to survive on their own.  While some recent slaves became shareholders on their former master’s property, other freed slaves found themselves unemployed and homeless so they became itinerant tramps. In 1874 James McIntyre and Tom Heath created a new variation on the standard Minstrel character, the Tramp clown based on the vagabond former slaves. McIntyre and Henry’s minstrel act would be performed in circuses and expand on to the Broadway stage .

The messages of Po’ Nigga I want to convey is humor can be used a tool for entertainment or a weapon of subjugation depending on how it’s used. Black people’s hell historically has been other people’s heaven.