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Submitted by: Alexander Gafoor 816006131
Bsc (Hons), PGC

Submitted for: Caribbean Civilizations FOUND 1101

Title: The Effects of African Slavery On Contemporary Art and Media

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>Evidence of racism and colonization are evident in every form of artistic expression as art is synonymous with freedom.
>We have come a long way since the times of goliwoggs and blackface but African culture has yet to flourish to a state of richness exhibited by European culture with regards to the dimension of art and media
>Despite the ugliness attached to slavery, one or two positive expressions of art did actually stem from colonization.

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Upon reading Beyond Massa by John Campbell, I am aware of a multitude of issues I was previously unaware of. I am also more sensitive to racial issues experienced by my fellow man. I also believe that I am now more conscious and view the world through a different, more balanced lens.

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is an American-slang term in English which refers to a racist and derogatory caricature of dark-skinned children of African origin.According to the scholar Robin Bernstein, who describes the meaning in the context of the United States, the pickaninny is characterized by three qualities: "the figure is always juvenile, always of color, and always resistant if not immune to pain". These three qualifiers demonstrate the dehumanizing nature of the pickaninny caricature and are reflective of the predominantly colonial society in which its use was popularised.

Bernstein, Robin (2011). Racial Innocence: Performing American Childhood from Slavery to Civil Rights. New York: New York University Press. p. 35.

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This was a dutch version of a rag doll which hit its height of popularity during the late 19th century.The golliwog contributed enormously to the spread of blackface iconography in Europe.Art historian Sir Kenneth Clark said that the golliwogs of his childhood were "examples of chivalry, far more persuasive than the unconvincing Knights of the Arthurian legend."

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The reasoning behind this final section is that media representations of Africans and advertising of the age speaks to how people of African descent were viewed, which is almost as one may affectionately view a dog.

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Jefferson's Garden is a 2015 play by Timberlake Wertenbaker. It begins in the 1750s, but is centred on the period from 1776 to the early 1790s, covering the American Revolutionary War and its aftermath. It is named after Thomas Jefferson's gardens at Monticello and contrasts his part in writing the American Declaration of Independence with the continuation of slavery in the American colonies and on Jefferson's lands after independence.

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There was a spate of theatre involving dramatizations of slavery during the romantic era during which Southey (previously mentioned poet) had flourished. This age of enlightenment lead to a recognition of the faults of slavery. After the 18th century however, this subject would remain absent from mainstream theatre for quite some time.

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Now for the Broadway Component

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The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the spread of racial stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky on the plantation" or the "dandified coon". It is here we learn that stereotypes were systematically injected into the culture at the time, tainting the imagine of African people in the eyes of European/Americans.

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As noted in the picture to the left, this form of entertainment was viewed as totally permissible and not offensive in any way. Well, that is a bit misnomer. While being offensive, people of African descent were so marginalized speaking out was uncommon. From what I understand however, African people that distinguished themselves from slaves were able to attend. I can only imagine the thoughts permeating the minds of those slaves.

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Broadway and Black Face
I will begin with stating the preclusion of colonial theatre being extremely primitive in the adaptation of subject matter.

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Concepts from BM present in this television series were:
Slaves as Chattel
Supression of African Culture
Disparity between races
Apparent lack of rights for people of African origin.

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Roots was a short dramatization of author Alex Haley's family line from ancestor Kunta Kinte's enslavement to his descendants' liberation. This was one of the first contemporary depictions of the effects of slavery on the modern African American. Concepts like this are completely missed by those ignorant to the concepts taught in BM.

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Roots

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Concepts from BM demonstrated in contemporary cinema are: Slaves as Chattel, the Abysmal Conditions under which slaves were subjected to travel, the use of force, racial tension on plantations, glorification of African mistresses and the use of henchmen (taskmasters).
Gone with the Wind was particularly pertinent as  it was credited for triggering changes to the way African-Americans are depicted cinematically.

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The consistency at which which movies acknowledging the slave trade are being produced indicates the significance of studying this time period for an economic, historical and social understanding of the implications of slavery.

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All three of these popular films were written about various aspects of the Slave Trade in the 18th Century.
While these movies were more to do about the American Slave Trade, several concepts presented in these movies were present in BM

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Movies

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This painting was done by a French historian to depict the attitude when the French colonies were disbanded in the 18th century. The purpose of this last picture is to demonstrate that there was positive artistic expression to come out of the ugliness of slavery..

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In this 17th Century depiction of slavery on the plantations, a group of slaves are seen awkwardly standing about as they are surveys for purchase like land or cattle. This is a manifestation of the concept of slaves as Chattel

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Thomas Satterwhite Noble [American Painter, 1835-1907]
Between 1865 and 1869 Noble exhibited in northern cities a total of eight paintings with African American subjects.
Concepts from BM:
Slaves as Chattel
Marginalization of Slave 'Rights' (quote marks fromt the apparent lack of rights)

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While this caricature by Richard Newton would have been done to depict slavery in the Americas, we can still see themes from BM present. Those these are:
African People as Taskmasters
Separation of Genders
Use of Force

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Concepts from BM reflected in this song are:
Commingling of Races
Reparations
The Use of Force
Disparity of wealth

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While this song, when put in context would have been about American slavery, there were still several transferable themes exhibited in this song.

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This American folk singer has always been known for unique and whimsical lyrics that provoke thought within their listeners, but this is perhaps one of the most thought provoking.

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Southern Man-Neil Young

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Concepts from Beyond Massa (from hence forth referred to as BM) reflected in this song are:
Suppression of African Culture
Allocation of Slaves
The Abysmal Conditions of Slave Transportation

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The concepts from Beyond Massa that are demonstrated by these poems are:
Slaves as Chattel
Capital Punishment to Establish Order
The Distribution of Slaves into Classes

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What I find particularly interesting about both of these poems is that they were both written from the perspectives of slave owners but demonstrate applications of empathy towards the slaves. This attitude is apparent in line 2, where the author says the price of sugar is, "Many a brother's blood. Empathy is also apparent when he describes sugar as being, "steeped in a thousand negro tears."

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This song is particularly relevant as it is not of the most significant examples of the recognition of slavery in contemporary music. This type of music exhibits a shift away from the condemnation and a step towards the glorification of the rights of the African person. This song would have been about slavery in the Caribbeann due to Bob Marley's Jamaican heritage.

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This popular reggae musician needs no introduction. I believed this song needed to be highlighted. Despite me acknowledging the topic of slavery to be present, I now recognize all the various concepts concealed in this timeless song.

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Redemption Song-Bob Marley

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Based in England, he belonged to the Romantic School of Poetry.  It involved a reaction against prevailing Enlightenment ideas of the 18th century, and lasted from 1800 to 1850, approximately

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Poem 2: Poems On The Slave Trade: Sonnet III

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Poem 2: Poems On The Slave Trade: Sonnet III

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This was also written during the time period of Beyond Massa and is about the Caribbean Sugar Trade

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This poem was written during the time period Beyond Massa is set in.

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Citation

Title: Tyler family papers
Creator: Tyler family
Inclusive dates: 1735-1888
Extent: 1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The Tyler family papers contain correspondence, documents, and writings relating to four generations of the Tyler family, who were Quakers and tanners in Salem, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Introduction of Topic, Methodology and Scope

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Introduction of Topic, Methodology and Scope

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The art and media we will be reviewing will be from a variety of areas including Holland, the Caribbean, the U.S. and England and France. These countries were all major players in the African American Slave Trade.

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Themes included in the art and media we will be reviewing are:
Classes of Workers, Separation of Men and Women, The Use of Force to Instill Hierarchical Pressure, Suppression of Culture among others.

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Because of the inherent paradox. Art and Media are the ultimate expression of freedom, an effect of slavery is typically he reduction of rights of a specific race or class

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They both involve expression
They both reflect societal values
They both reflect cultural norms

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The Atlantic slave trade or transatlantic slave trade took place across the Atlantic Ocean from the 15th through 19th centuries.

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This excerpt serves a dual purpose in introducing the subject and proving that the slave trade was such a significant part of history that it is studied and documented in this way.

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The enslavement of African people has also contributed significantly to media in the forms of:
Movies, Television Shows and Characters (for the purpose of marketing)

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Line art by Everett of slaves working in sugar cane on a Caribbean plantation. (Photo: Fine Art America)

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Concepts from the book demonstrated in this piece are: Primary and Secondary work units (HRM strategy), Force to instill a hierarchy

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Music, Poetry and Drawing have always been forms of art that resonate deeply with me. Therefore it is only natural I would gravitate to these topics.

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I will be examining means of artistic expression, namely:
Poetry,Songs,Painting

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>To make it more personal
>Due to preexisting interest in the area.
>To exhibit application of knowledge

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It lead me to apply my new found knowledge to a subject area that I am passionate about.

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For me was a new beginning to enlightenment.