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Photo credit: Diana Cardenas

'The Blackface Project' exposes the high cost of Broadway

I sat on the floor to watch this sold-out performance of "The Blackface Project." I scanned the audience looking for faces like mine. I saw a few, about enough to count on one hand. The…

I sat on the floor to watch this sold-out performance of “The Blackface Project.” I scanned the audience looking for faces like mine. I saw a few, about enough to count on one hand. The lack of diversity in this audience probably mimicked the audience back when this production was performed back in 1910. I’m not saying anything negative about the audience or actors. It was just something I noticed. I will warn those who come see the show, derogatory names toward the African American community will be used.

Bert Williams is the first black man to appear on Broadway. This starts off as an awesome accomplishment for him, but there is a price to pay. He will go on stage with black paint covering his face and visible skin. Why does a black man have to use black paint to perform? What sense does that actually make? From what was described in the performance, it is to make the white audience feel more comfortable. Underneath the black paint, they cannot tell what shade he actually is.

I have heard and read the story of “Blackface” before. I was upset then and upset now. Before making his debut on stage, Bert Williams is introduced as “Your Favorite Coon.” By the use of that derogatory word, the audience should understand and accept that they have come to watch a black man perform. He shouldn’t need to add the midnight black paint to his face.

Photo credit: Diana Cardenas

Throughout the show, Bert Williams struggles to decide if this Broadway debut is the best thing for his career. He is ashamed to tell his mother, a strong Bahamian woman, what he is really doing. Bert lies to her, telling her he is performing a drama piece.

Sambo, the black butler of a Broadway producer, says that his career is only going to set him back with it come to the black community. He shouldn’t shame himself or their culture just gain Broadway experience. Even though Sambo, whose real name is George, stands and bends at the producer’s request, he tries to convince Bert that he has the opportunity and power to do something better for himself and African American people. Even the NAACP write Burt a letter urging him not to take the stage. They will stand behind and fight with him to change how black people are viewed on Broadway.

The last straw is when Bert’s mother surprises him, showing up on set and running right into her son dressed in blackface. She begs him not to go on before saying she will have to love him from a distance. I cannot imagine the stinging pain she felt to see her son become something he is not, to watch him believe this was the only way he could get what he wanted. To me, Bert was brainwashed and selfish. He was not creating a legacy, but diminishing one.

Photo credit: Diana Cardenas

In relevance to this production, a photo of known rapper Drake recently surfaced of him dressed in blackface. Many of his fans, including myself, were taken aback by this. We live in a time where blackface is not needed. Blackness is celebrated these days. Drake soon released a press release in response to the picture saying “the picture was from his acting days, and the photo represented how African Americans were once wrongfully portrayed in entertainment. This was to highlight and raise frustrations about not getting a fair chance in the industry and to make a point that not much has changed.” On paper, the response means well, but the picture is just hurtful.

I’ve read and talked about Blackface stories so many times with my peers. I finally watched a performance of it, and was instantly in sorrow. The actors and actresses did a wonderful job. It really felt like it was 1910. I recommend this play to everyone. It will leave you with a changed mind, and a changed heart.

Marissa Staples is a Cincinnati published author and writer for The Voice of Black Cincinnati. She developed her love of arts from her mother, Kandi. Being a native of Cincinnati, she loves to travel. If she is not traveling, you can find her reading, writing, volunteering or drinking wine. Wine always brings smiles, friends and creative dialogue.