English Folk Traditions and Changing Perceptions About Black People in England

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English Folk Traditions and Changing Perceptions About Black People in England Trish Bater 080207052 ‘Blacking Up’: English Folk Traditions and Changing Perceptions about Black People in England Submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy by Patricia Bater National Centre for English Cultural Tradition March 2013 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA. Trish Bater 080207052 2 Abstract This thesis investigates the custom of white people blacking their faces and its continuation at a time when society is increasingly aware of accusations of racism. To provide a context, an overview of the long history of black people in England is offered, and issues about black stereotypes, including how ‘blackness’ has been perceived and represented, are considered. The historical use of blackface in England in various situations, including entertainment, social disorder, and tradition, is described in some detail. It is found that nowadays the practice has largely been rejected, but continues in folk activities, notably in some dance styles and in the performance of traditional (folk) drama. Research conducted through participant observation, interview, case study, and examination of web-based resources, drawing on my long familiarity with the folk world, found that participants overwhelmingly believe that blackface is a part of the tradition they are following and is connected to its past use as a disguise. However, although all are aware of the sensitivity of the subject, some performers are fiercely defensive of blackface, while others now question its application and amend their ‘disguise’ in different ways. Further factors underlying the use, and usefulness, of blacking up are suggested, including tradition, identity, community, and mystery. Reasons why the practice continues despite significant opposition are discussed. It is concluded that there is a long history of blacking up in England and that current blackface practice is not intentionally associated with Victorian ‘nigger minstrels’; however, minstrelsy was so popular that its influence cannot be discounted. It is also suggested that the folk process has always absorbed and reflected influences from popular culture, and continues to do so; and that in an area of strong opinion, no definitive answers can be given that will satisfy everyone. Trish Bater 080207052 3 Acknowledgments I gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of The University of Sheffield, without which I could not have undertaken this research. Heartfelt thanks are due to my supervisors: Dr. Malcolm Jones, for encouraging me to begin writing from the onset; Professor Joan Beal, for allowing me my head; and Professor Richard Jenkins, for being there when I needed him. This thesis would not have been possible without the willing cooperation of many people, and I thank all those who have been interviewed or photographed, or who have taken the time and trouble to share their thoughts with me. I have been unable to use every word, but all the contributions have helped to shape my writing. Particular thanks go to the many people who have so freely shared their own research and ideas. I am indebted to my family for their unfailing support and encouragement, especially son Ben, whose words started me on this journey, and daughter Lizzie, for monitoring my progress so rigorously. Finally, my gratitude is due to my husband Stuart, for never doubting me. Trish Bater 080207052 4 Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and Context of Study ...................................................... 2 1.2 Methodology ....................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Data Collection ........................................................................... 5 1.2.2 The researcher’s background and role ........................................ 8 1.2.3 Justification for and issues arising from the research methods ............................................................................................... 9 1.2.4 Ethical Considerations .............................................................. 11 1.3 Outline – structure of thesis .............................................................. 13 Chapter 2: The History of Black People in Britain ........................ 15 2.1 Before 1713: Exotic Savages ........................................................... 15 2.2 1713-1833: "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" ................................... 20 2.3 1833-1900: Victorian Values? ........................................................... 25 2.4 1900-1945: War and Peace ............................................................. 29 2.5 1945-1970: The Mother Country? ..................................................... 34 2.6 1970-1990: Black Resistance ........................................................... 39 2.7 1990 - present: Sea-change ............................................................. 44 Chapter 3: Representations of Blackness ..................................... 51 3.1 ‘Black’ in Idiom, Proverb and Folklore ............................................... 51 3.2 Portrayals of Black People ............................................................... 54 3.2.1 Before Emancipation ................................................................. 54 3.2.2 Free, but not equal .................................................................... 64 3.2.3 From Second-class to Underclass ............................................ 71 3.2.4 Minstrelsy ................................................................................. 73 3.3 Terminology ........................................................................................ 77 3.3.1 “Blackamoor” ............................................................................ 78 3.3.2 “Coon” ....................................................................................... 78 3.3.3 “Nigger” .................................................................................... 80 3.3.4 “Negro” .................................................................................... 82 3.3.5 “Black” ..................................................................................... 82 3.3.6 Other terms .............................................................................. 83 3.4 Racism and Political Correctness ............................................................................ 84 Trish Bater 080207052 5 Chapter 4: Historical References to Blackened Faces in England ............................................................................................ 87 4.1 Entertainment ............................................................................................................ 88 4.1.1 Court entertainments ............................................................... 88 4.1.2 Theatre ................................................................................... 89 4.1.3 Street entertainment ................................................................ 98 4.1.4 Practical Joke .......................................................................... 99 4.2 Criminal activity .............................................................................. 100 4.3 Social disorder ................................................................................ 102 4.4 Custom and Tradition ..................................................................... 110 4.4.1 Folk Drama ........................................................................... 111 4.4.2 Plough Monday Traditions .................................................... 115 4.4.3 May Day ............................................................................... 120 4.4.4 Morris dance ........................................................................ 127 4.4.5 Guy Fawkes ......................................................................... 131 4.5 Links and crossovers ............................................................................................... 133 Chapter 5: Current Practice .......................................................... 141 5.1 Entertainment ......................................................................................................... 141 5.1.1 Theatre ................................................................................. 141 5.1.2 Street entertainment .............................................................. 143 5.1.3 Practical Joke and Fancy Dress ............................................ 143 5.2 Criminal activity and social disorder ................................................ 144 5.3 Custom and Tradition ..................................................................... 145 5.3.1 Mummers ................................................................................ 145 5.3.2 Morris Dance ........................................................................... 167 5.3.3 Five Calendar Customs ........................................................... 190 Chapter 6: Reactions, Reasons and Responses ........................ 199 6.1 Sensitivity and censorship .............................................................. 199 6.2 Reactions of onlookers ................................................................... 205 6.3 What the performers say
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