Abstract

SANCHEZ MENCHERO, Mauricio. Between whiteness and blackness: the identity process in the minstrels (United States, 1840-1930). Inter disciplina [online]. 2021, vol.9, n.23, pp.125-145.  Epub May 05, 2021. ISSN 2448-5705.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ceiich.24485705e.2021.23.77348.

The article reflects on the concepts of focus, whiteness and blackness, applied to the study of cultural identities and dynamics from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century in the United States. To do this, we compare the integration to the young nation that was carried out by both European immigrants and black population marginalized in a white capitalist society. Thus, the Afro-American culture in the midst of a situation of poverty and exploitation knew how to resist and preserve, for example, through musical and 125 danceable expressions of the so-called ministriles. For its part, European migration, particularly the Jewish community, in order to gain approval and sustenance took on the task of appropriating and representing the roles of African-Americans through disguise and painting. Finally, both populations, white and black, knew how to use, with different strategies, the theatrical tradition of the minstrels and then the cinema as cultural identity expressions.

Keywords : Whiteness; Blackness; focus; minstrels.