The History of Minstrelsy. A Short Overview

Essay from the year 2018 in the subject Musicology - Historical musicology, grade: A, , language: English, abstract: This essay gives a short overview about the history of minstrelsy from different perspectives. Minstrel shows were a form of an entertainment show that appeared in America around the 1820's, which was centered on the stereotype of African American slaves with themes from slavery and plantation life. After their first appearance, Minstrel shows became very popular very fast and soon they became a phenomenon that spread throughout America. The origins of Minstrelsy are traced back to the creation of a character named 'Jim Crow', a plantation worker dressed in rugs and who had a limp, dancing and singing in the street in a funny way.