Haunted City

Three Centuries of Racial Impersonation in Philadelphia

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Performing Arts, Theatre, History & Criticism
Cover of the book Haunted City by Christian DuComb, University of Michigan Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christian DuComb ISBN: 9780472123018
Publisher: University of Michigan Press Publication: July 7, 2017
Imprint: University of Michigan Press Language: English
Author: Christian DuComb
ISBN: 9780472123018
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Publication: July 7, 2017
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Language: English

Haunted City explores the history of racial impersonation in Philadelphia from the late eighteenth century through the present day. The book focuses on select historical moments, such as the advent of the minstrel show and the ban on blackface makeup in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade, when local performances of racial impersonation inflected regional, national, transnational, and global formations of race.

Mummers have long worn blackface makeup during winter holiday celebrations in Europe and North America; in Philadelphia, mummers’ blackface persisted from the colonial period well into the twentieth century. The first annual Mummers Parade, a publicly sanctioned procession from the working-class neighborhoods of South Philadelphia to the city center, occurred in 1901. Despite a ban on blackface in the Mummers Parade after civil rights protests in 1963–64, other forms of racial and ethnic impersonation in the parade have continued to flourish unchecked. Haunted City combines detailed historical research with the author’s own experiences performing in the Mummers Parade to create a lively and richly illustrated narrative. Through its interdisciplinary approach, Haunted City addresses not only theater history and performance studies but also folklore, American studies, critical race theory, and art history.  It also offers a fresh take on the historiography of the antebellum minstrel show.

 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Haunted City explores the history of racial impersonation in Philadelphia from the late eighteenth century through the present day. The book focuses on select historical moments, such as the advent of the minstrel show and the ban on blackface makeup in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade, when local performances of racial impersonation inflected regional, national, transnational, and global formations of race.

Mummers have long worn blackface makeup during winter holiday celebrations in Europe and North America; in Philadelphia, mummers’ blackface persisted from the colonial period well into the twentieth century. The first annual Mummers Parade, a publicly sanctioned procession from the working-class neighborhoods of South Philadelphia to the city center, occurred in 1901. Despite a ban on blackface in the Mummers Parade after civil rights protests in 1963–64, other forms of racial and ethnic impersonation in the parade have continued to flourish unchecked. Haunted City combines detailed historical research with the author’s own experiences performing in the Mummers Parade to create a lively and richly illustrated narrative. Through its interdisciplinary approach, Haunted City addresses not only theater history and performance studies but also folklore, American studies, critical race theory, and art history.  It also offers a fresh take on the historiography of the antebellum minstrel show.

 

More books from University of Michigan Press

Cover of the book The Great Justices, 1941-54 by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book Simming by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book A Setting For Excellence by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book Culture Wars and Enduring American Dilemmas by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book The British Blues Network by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book In the Thick of the Fight by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book A New England Prison Diary by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book The Games of July by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book Nimrod by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book Legislative Entrepreneurship in the U.S. House of Representatives by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book The Troubles in Ballybogoin by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book The Political Economy of Regional Peacemaking by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book The Celebration of Death in Contemporary Culture by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book Race, Republicans, and the Return of the Party of Lincoln by Christian DuComb
Cover of the book Is Rational Choice Theory All of Social Science? by Christian DuComb
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy