About the book
Before the heyday of the Chitlin Circuit and the Harlem Renaissance, African American performing artists and creative entrepreneurs—sometimes called Black Bohemians—seized their limited freedoms and gained both fame and fortune with their work in a white-dominated marketplace. These Black performers plied their trade in circuses, blues tents, and Wild West Shows with Native Americans. The era’s traveling entertainments often promoted the “disappearing Indian” myth and promoted racial hierarchies with Black and Native people at the bottom. But in a racial economy rooted in settler-colonialism and legacies of enslavement, Black and Indigenous performers found that otherness could be a job qualification. Whether as artists or manual laborers, these workers rejected marginalization by traveling the world, making a solid living off their talents, and building platforms for political and social critique. Eventually, America’s popular entertainment industry could not survive without Black and Native Americans’ creative labor. As audiences came to eagerly anticipate their genius, these performers paved the way for greater social, economic, and cultural autonomy.
Sakina M. Hughes provides a conceptually rich work revealing memorable individuals—laborers, artists, and entrepreneurs—who, faced with danger and discrimination, created surprising opportunities to showcase their talents and gain fame, wealth, and mobility.
Editions of Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469676265
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469676272
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469676296
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469680750
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469676289
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469680743
Read an Excerpt
Before the heyday of the Chitlin Circuit and the Harlem Renaissance, African American performing artists and creative entrepreneurs—sometimes called Black Bohemians—seized their limited freedoms and gained both fame and fortune with their work in a white-dominated marketplace. These Black performers plied their trade in circuses, blues tents, and Wild West Shows with Native Americans. The era’s traveling entertainments often promoted the “disappearing Indian” myth and promoted racial hierarchies with Black and Native people at the bottom. But in a racial economy rooted in settler-colonialism and legacies of enslavement, Black and Indigenous performers found that otherness could be a job qualification. Whether as artists or manual laborers, these workers rejected marginalization by traveling the world, making a solid living off their talents, and building platforms for political and social critique. Eventually, America’s popular entertainment industry could not survive without Black and Native Americans’ creative labor. As audiences came to eagerly anticipate their genius, these performers paved the way for greater social, economic, and cultural autonomy.
Sakina M. Hughes provides a conceptually rich work revealing memorable individuals—laborers, artists, and entrepreneurs—who, faced with danger and discrimination, created surprising opportunities to showcase their talents and gain fame, wealth, and mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts about?
Before the heyday of the Chitlin Circuit and the Harlem Renaissance, African American performing artists and creative entrepreneurs—sometimes called Black Bohemians—seized their limited freedoms and gained both fame and fortune with their work in a white-dominated marketplace. These Black performers plied their trade in circuses, blues tents, and Wild West Shows with Native Americans. The era’s traveling entertainments often promoted the “disappearing Indian” myth and promoted racial hierarchies with Black and Native people at the bottom. But in a racial economy rooted in settler-colonialism and legacies of enslavement, Black and Indigenous performers found that otherness could be a job qualification. Whether as artists or manual laborers, these workers rejected marginalization by traveling the world, making a solid living off their talents, and building platforms for political and social critique. Eventually, America’s popular entertainment industry could not survive without Black and Native Americans’ creative labor. As audiences came to eagerly anticipate their genius, these performers paved the way for greater social, economic, and cultural autonomy.
Sakina M. Hughes provides a conceptually rich work revealing memorable individuals—laborers, artists, and entrepreneurs—who, faced with danger and discrimination, created surprising opportunities to showcase their talents and gain fame, wealth, and mobility.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Social and cultural history
Where can I read a sample of Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469676265
How long is Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts and how many pages does it have?
Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts has 224 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts?
Sakina M. Hughes
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469676265) and paperback(ISBN 9781469676272) and ebook(ISBN 9781469676296) and ebook(ISBN 9781469680750) and ebook(ISBN 9781469676289) and pdf(ISBN 9781469680743)
Where can I buy Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts from below
Where can I buy Music, Muscle, and Masterful Arts?