The last thing I want to do is come over PC about this, especially as I love
some of the poems. But what bothers me is that he uses the mannerisms of a
form of entertainment which had thoroughly racist implications (black people
are lazy, stupid, happy in their lot etc) without any apparent sense of its
politics, purely for the stylistic pleasure of it. I don't see any
satirical intent here, though there is certainly plenty in other aspects of
the Dream Songs (and I know Berryman was no racist). I'd be glad to be
convinced that the trick is justified.
Minstrel shows continued as a bizarrely anachronistic and deracinated
entertainment on UK television into the 70s. I have a feeling The Black and
White Minstrel Show was the first UK programme to be shown in colour (or am
I making that up - it seems to good to be true), and I remember that a
Chinese delegation (or pinpong players? - again my memory is vague) over
here during the rapprochement were taken to a live performance, which must
have given them an odd idea of British culture.
Best wishes,
Matthew Francis
[log in to unmask]
Visit my website at http://www.7greenhill.freeserve.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Lawrence <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>;
[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 10 July 2000 22:41
Subject: Re: Berryman
>>Perhaps more blackface than black -- Berryman is
>>imitating/parodying/alluding to corked-up white vaudeville entertainers,
>>isn't he, rather than any authentic American speech?
>
>I agree with Robin. I've always thought of the Mr Bones/Henry
>dialogue as pure parody, a commentary. Also often hilarious.
>
>best
>
>Anthony
>
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