African American actors

African-Americans have long endured demeaning and misrepresentative images within the film industry and American society as a whole. In the early 20th century, an abundance of films depicted an idealized vision of life in the south, in which blacks were happily subservient to their role as the property of their white masters. The roles of black characters were also portrayed by white actors in blackface. Blackface was a form of theatrical makeup used to represent an image of a black person and was

In early black History Africans Americans were looked at as an asset or a slave for the benefit of the white folks. This sense of ownership was detrimental in the day to African Americans pride and also their identity. According to History.com “Though it is impossible to give accurate figures, some historians have estimated that 6 to 7 million slaves were imported to the New World during the 18th century alone, depriving the African continent of some of its healthiest and ablest men and women”. After

African-American Theatre has gone through exponential changes throughout the course of American history. They have made a push towards defining theatre for a whole of African-American culture. In doing so, African-American actors, directors, technicians, and theatre entrepreneurs strive to be the very best in their field and “create a true American theatre” (Miller 335). The theatre challenges thespians to hold onto their roots but branch out and mingle with the culture of today. The African-American

was angry at African American's newly won freedom, used violence against African American to control of their lives. The Lost Cause is the movement to describe the Confederate cause as a heroic on against all odd despite its defeat. The Lost Cause justified the violence against African Americans and rewrote the history of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The Lost Cause was central to the development of collective memory, and for the Civil War and Reconstruction erased African Americans as decisive

Over the course of approximately one-hundred years there has been a discernible metamorphosis within the realm of African-American cinema. African-Americans have overcome the heavy weight of oppression in forms such as of politics, citizenship and most importantly equal human rights. One of the most evident forms that were withheld from African-Americans came in the structure of the performing arts; specifically film. The common population did not allow blacks to drink from the same water fountain

being an African- American in then modern-day America. Fanon suggested African Americans live with a prescribed stereotype of “blackness”. Because of the color of their skin, African- Americans have an image created for them. Due to this prescription, many individuals are unable to create their own persona. Fanon states that a black person is the slave of his or her own image. Today, there are many other stereotypes being placed on people just like blackness was placed on the African American community

Throughout the last century, the role that African Americans have played in films has changed drastically, and for the better. When black people first started acting in movies they were strictly relegated to playing the roles of pre-determined stereotypes of the black man. Not only were they forced to play the roles of insulting stereotypes, but also the only aspect that determined what role they would play was essentially their skin color. In a world today where we are taught that we are all equal

most contributions to my life as a humanitarian, and an actor in training. August Wilson created a foundation for African-Americans who are interested in the theatre. The Pittsburgh Cycle, a collection of ten plays strictly for African-Americans, opened the door to future opportunities for African-American playwrights, directors, stage managers, and actors. The context of his plays portrayed the genuine life and struggle of African-Americans. He wrote about the importance of family, history, futures

the wife of Will Smith, an actor made a video that went viral calling on other Black actors and actresses to boycott the Oscars because she believes it lacks diversity. The ‘All white Oscars nominees’ with no Black actors or actresses was seen as racial bias to some African-Americans. They believe that Black actors and actresses have made tremendous contributions to the success of the movie industry, and need to be appreciated on their works just as the white actors and actresses. Everyone deserves

Vagabond Years” 5). Ira Aldridge paved the way for other African American Actors through his work