Bamboozled Discussion Question
February 13, 2008
The film is linked to our course material, in particular Passing, because it represents an ambivalent and complex notion of racial self-making: people choosing–to some mitigated extent–their racial identity, a choice with implications both positive and negative.
To what degree is racial identity is a choice in this film? Are the show’s fans and audience members really black? What are the differences in this film between blackface and blackness?
What is so compelling about the New Millenium Minstrel Show’s representation of blackness? Why do its fans love it and identify with it so deeply? What does the show’s appeal say about the status of race in general and blackness in particular in contemporary United States?
These sets of questions are related, but your response need not address all of them.
English 10: The Body in Literature 
I think Bamboozled aims to explain how racial identity is based on the choice of the individual. Each black individual in the film is his or her own person, and only those who try to fight “the white man” actually fit into stereotypes: thugs, rappers, murderers. The rest of the characters contradict racial stereotypes: de la Croix probably to the furthest extent. He takes on a style and accent which completely separate him from his blackness, and his job as a television writer is in a mostly white environment. His assistant also acts in a professional manner, which could be considered “white,” however when put in certain situations a “black” side in her comes out, for example her language takes on different characteristics. Furthermore, his boss, a younger white man, feels he relates more with the black community than de la Croix does. As far as the minstrel show goes, it demonstrates the difference between blackface and blackness. Blackface does not represent blackness, but how black people were according to most of white society before the civil rights movement. Therefore the show’s fans and audience members are not and probably would never be able to comprehend what it really means to be black. They are able to identify with the show, however, because it makes them believe that racism had been transcended. Because the show is written by a black man, and its characters are black people actually in blackface, it seems that the black population is no longer hurt by these perceptions that people had almost a century ago. But the downfall is the purpose behind the show; de la Croix wrote the show in an attempt to prove that controversy is not wanted by the audiences, and therefore he pushed the boundaries of political correctness and put aside what his fellow race, his family, his friends would think or feel. Also, de la Croix doesn’t even really identify himself with the black population which makes his “right” to write such a show questionable. The show and the reactions to it demonstrate how race is still a major controversial issue in the United States today, and stereotypes remain offensive despite who is depicting them.
Bamboozled is a great example of how racial identity is a choice of the individual. “Mantan” and “Sleep and Eat” choose to portray themselves as a black face. The shows fans and audience are composed of both black and white individuals, and the white individuals were uncomfortable with the show at first, but as the movie progressed they soon became part of the act, and identified themselves as a “blackface.” The difference between blackface and blackness in the movie is apparent. Those people who use the blackface are not necessarily black, but they portray themselves as black by imitating black speech and actions. The black people in the movie are those who do not “try” to act black, because they are ethnically black already. Some of these people use the blackface anyways, because it is seen as a joke to them, while others are offended by it, like the Mau Mau’s. Pierre is also seen as the “white” black guy, and since he wrote the show it makes it okay for a show like this to be on the air. The fact that all the stereotypes are being portrayed blatantly in a show is what makes the show so compelling. All the actions and stereotyped being portrayed are the things that people have always thought or associated black society as being, and now that it is out in the public people are not afraid to hide it anymore. The show depicts how racism and stereotypes are still apparent and relevant in US society today. Overall I really enjoyed the film and thought it was very relevant in our discussions.
There is a difference between blackface and blackness. The difference is that blackface is used for entertainment purposes and can be taken off at any time. In this film, blackface racial identity brings up a sense of community that non-blacks become envious of. One man who was putting on blackface in a film clip used in the movie said his black friend was lucky because his blackness never came off. I think the huge audience participation and love for the show comes from a subconscious jealousy over the sense of community that comes with being black. This is just like in Passing, when Clare comes back to her roots because she misses that sense of belonging.
In an attempt to get fired from his job, Peter Delacroix thinks up an idea that he believes to be too offensive to ever be successful with the American public. However, when his independent network decides to air it, he is confronted instead with the responsibility of having to explain the content to the African American community, who are not completely amused. This put-down of his own race can be paralleled with Clare and Irene’s (occasional) act of passing, because one who does not have pride in their identity is to an extent ashamed of it. However, racial identity is also defined by the extent to which the members of that community choose who is valid – who is black enough? If we believe in parts of identity as a group of people that share culture or tradition, how can one identify with a group if that group will not accept them?
It is apparent that Delacroix does not fit to the “black” stereotype associated with the blackface characters. He is a Harvard graduate working in a predominantly “white” environment, further reiterating the idea which Clare and Irene embodied: the whiter someone is, the more accepted (or beautiful). This makes the New Millenium Minstrel Show as his brainchild all the more controversial, since he does not choose to readily identify with the black community…however the “black community” is stereotypically defined. His speech is highly articulate (“I’m digging that…’nigga’ is a beautiful thing”) and during the casting for the minstrel show, he makes his wonder clear whether those auditioning for a part were really that “desperate” for work. Though he jokingly stated “I don’t want anything to do have anything to do with anything black for at least a week”, his discomfort and inability to identify with those auditioning probably would support an element of truth in that comment.
Blackface does not represent the black community, but it is symbolic of their portrayal by those who represented or supported it, white or black. In a historical reference to the authentic blackface plays, it could have been for the purposes of justifying superior complexes or maintenance of power. Like any theatrical performance, it did not represent the truth, but individual opinion employed in a form used for the entertainment of others.
In Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, two poor black actors portray a perverted interpretation of blackness on national television. One could say they had a choice in the sense that they could have refused the job, knowing it was racist, and saved their race unneeded and immense shame. But in another sense, one could see there was not a great alternative for them. They lived in a very dirty, run-down apartment that was habitually raided by police. They danced on the streets for people’s spare change just so they could have enough to stay alive. However, Sloan mentions to Manray that back in the early Twentieth Century, when black people were considered one-fifth of a human being, black actors HAD to wear blackface. When Sloan introduces this point, the viewer realizes that ultimately it is a choice–a difficult choice, but nonetheless a choice.
Blackface is not blackness. Blackface is an exaggerated, perversion of being black, and it is only expressible on the surface. The audience members have no idea what it really is to be black. They think they are laughing along with the actors, sharing the joys of being “a nigger” because it is a fun escape from their reality, but in fact they have no idea what lies behind a black person’s face, to live their lives, to face the horrors of their heritage. The satire of the show makes the racism easier to digest; it doesn’t seem so harsh or unfair when one only considers its surface characteristics. It is easy to be absorbed by the humor; they don’t truly realize the horrific root of its portrayal. Only Sloan never laughs, as she sees it for what it is.
In Bamboozled, the characters identify with whichever race they choose, usually by fulfilling stereotypes. For example, the boss, Thomas Dunwitty, is white, but he identifies with blacks. His office is filled with posters of African-American celebrities and athletes, he even uses street lingo occasionally. He even states that he is more black than de la Croix. Additionally, Big Blak Afrika, changed his name from Julius to identify more with his race. While he is black, he feels the need to represent his race by showing his pride through his name and his extreme actions. However, de la Croix, who is black, does not choose to identify with the stereotypes of his race; he even puts on a fake French accent. Furthermore, he tries to alter America’s perceptions of black people by writing scripts about the “negro middle class.” However, the network does not want to show “dignified black people,” but instead “negroes who are buffoons.”
There is a major difference between blackface and blackness in this film. Blackface represents the stereotypes of African Americans. While de la Croix states that satire’s aim is to destroy stereotypes, the New Millennium Minstrel Show enforces stereotypes. The sad thing is, that the audience is oblivious to how corrupt the show is. After the show has been on the air for a while, non-black audience members start painting their faces black and supporting the mockery of African-Americans. Non-blacks think that using blackface is a way for them to identify with African-Americans, yet they will never truly understand what goes on beneath the surface, underneath the skin of African-Americans. However, it is the African-Americans who are feeling targeted by the show. They are not laughing. In fact, they are protesting, chanting, “Painted face, a disgrace to the race!” While the audience believes that they are supporting African-Americans by painting their faces, they are not supporting black culture. Blacks are not uneducated, poor slaves, as they are represented on the Minstel Show. They are people with feelings, emotions, morals, just like everybody else. That is why it is so inspiring when Manray finally realizes that Mantan is not someone to be proud of, but someone responsible for the justification of the stereotypes of blacks.
In the film Bamboozled racial identity is a choice because the white people in the movie choose to paint their places black to become a “nigger”. In one scene the man goes into the audience and asks the different people if they are a “nigger” and no matter what their race people say yes. On the other hand the people who are black do not have a choice in the matter of their racial identity. On a seperate level the people in the black people in the movie don’t have a choice about their racial stereotype. In the movie the black people are portrayed as lazy people who don’t do anything, and this is what is portrayed by the show.
The shows audience members and fans are not all really black. There are some people that are black, but even they choose to paint their faces black. It was interesting how in the beginning everyone dressed and came as they were in the audience, then you saw people putting the black on their face, and finally they were all there with the same shirt and the faces painted black. It showed the sequence of sorts of the people in the audience almost joining the stereotype.
Throughout the movie I found that the difference between blackface and blackness is blackface accounted for the stereotype that every black person was the same human being and had the same characteristics and traits while blackness is more personal and identifies with the individual human being. By making their faces black, or darker than they already were, they took the true identity of the person away and made him just a part of the race. The characters were no longer individuals or recognizable, they were simply one in a crowd. On the other hand blackness was the fact that a persons actualy color was black. This deals more witht the individual identity of the person.
I feel that blackface is very different from blackness in the film Bamboozled. Blackface mimics the African American people, and even though Mantan and Sleep and Eat were black, blackface was a crucial element of the characters they were portraying.
In the end of the movie when the new main character in blackface is asking the audience members if they are a “real nigga” all of them said “yes” very enthusiastically and explained exactly why they were black. It is obviously impossible for any of these white people to be black and I feel that they hardly identify with that racial identity. Just because they have black face paint on does not mean that they fully assume the role of a black person. Although they may think so, and might enjoy that temporary switch of racial identities, they will never truely identify with blackness. Mantan and Sleep and Eat have no choice but to wear the blackface to assume their role. They are unable to escape their racial identity like the white people are. They are denied that pleasure of exotic territory to look and pretend like an individual from the opposite colored race. In “Passing”, Irene and Clare and lucky enough that there is a gray line between their racial identities and the two are able to adapt to both communities and “pass” through them. Pierre and Sloan technically passed in the work community and although sometimes their intelligence was not respected. Mantan and Sleep and Eat will never be able to “pass” in the white community and will continue to harbor “black” stereotypes because they do not make an effort to try to pass because they are happy with who they are.
In the motion picture, Bamboozled, racial identity is portrayed in two forms. There are some people in the show that are fully black, physically and culturally. There are also people that play the role of blackface. In the movie, a sort of blackface craze breaks out all because of the new show, Mantan: The New Millenium Minstrel Show. America gets swept up in the blackface show and people that aren’t even black begin to talk and act like they are. The fans that come to watch the show start to paint their faces black and get really enthusiastic about the show. They classify themselves as black even though they really aren’t. Black isn’t their true identity, it’s as if they are choosing their identity for the time being. They can be black one minute but turn it off and be white the next minute. Blackface is a choice and blackness is your life.
The movie “Bamboozled” is an extremely compelling story about both the black and white societies and their members in America. The question of what makes a person black is raised in this movie and is difficult to distinguish. Being black is often thought of as the inherent color of one’s skin, not necessarily the race that one emotionally identifies with. “Bamboozled” challenges this notion and makes the viewers analyze it. De la Croix is very well-educated and well-spoken, and is physically obviously black. His boss, however is white-skinned but repetitively states throughout the film that he is blacker than De la Croix because of his demeanor, his speech, that his wife is black, and even the fact that he has pictures of black people in his office that De la Croix is unable to identify. Because his boss states that personal characteristics “make him black,” this challenges the idea that De la Croix and Sloan are the only black people in the office by definition of skin color. As the show becomes more popular, the audience begins to paint their faces black and call themselves niggers, which would also show that being black is a choice, and that if one chooses to reject their race at any one time, they are able to do so. “Bamboozled” addresses and rejects the popular conception that being a certain race is solely defined by the color of one’s skin.
In the film Bamboozled, racial identity is perceived as a personal choice of the individual. Peter De La Croix illustrates a perfect example of how the film places racial identity at the hands of the individual, for he chooses not to abide by the prescribed social roles of African-Americans, and instead carries himself as a highly educated Harvard graduate with a French accent. Similarly, his boss too chooses to expand beyond the socially contructed walls surrounding his racial identity, and thus modifies his vocabulary and behavior in an attempt to blend in to the African-American community. Yet despite this freedom of racial choice pertaining to both these characters, they choose to create a show that is based on nothing more than foolish stereotypes of African-Americans, forcing the creation of characters that are constricted to a specific racial identity. Thus the New Millenium Minstrel Show illustrates the degree to which racial identity is a choice within the film.
The show’s fans and audience members aren’t really black, which further illustrates how racial identity within Bamboozled is a choice of the individual. Racial identity is so much more than the mere color of skin, which is thus demonstrated by having non-black audience members build a deep connection and strong identity with the show’s African-American characters. The crucial difference in the film between blackface and blackness is that blackface deals with establishing a black identity based on what is seen or expected, while blackness deals with establishing a black identity based on the true essence of the African-American community.
In Bamboozled, the black identity is the underlying theme in each character’s role. Racial identity is a choice for some, but unconditional for others. When Mantan and Sleep and Eat perform on the New Millennium Minstrel Show, they are required to put on their blackface and act like “coons.” De La Croix explains that they aren’t representative of the black race as a whole, but are just two normal people that happen to be slackers and uneducated. However, the setting of the show- on a plantation with other “blackfaced” people- signifies the idea that they are in fact still being categorized as the inferior race to whites.
Unlike the black stars of the show, and the creator alike, the white fans watching the Minstrel Show have a choice between being white or putting on blackface to act black. They enthusiastically claim to be “real niggers” when asked by the show’s host and have these reasons that they are such; yet, they still can go home, take off the paste, and assume their white identities. So, there is a difference in blackface and blackness, one can be chosen, the other is absolute.
I am a fan of Spike Lee films because he really challenges the status quo. While reading the comments of the other students, I would also agree that Bamboolzed deals with choice regarding racial identity. “Choice” is a huge factor in determining the differences between blackface and blackness. As seen thoughout the movie and even with the movie montage Sloan gives Piere at the end, blackface is the choice to be black by altering skin color and personality traits stereotypically thought of when classifying a black person. When people choice to be black through blackface, there were not really black because to be black goes skin deep. Blackness relates to the deeper issues blacks face like overcoming oppression, feeling a sense of community, a tight family connection, and pride in their culture. Blackness relates to the true essense of African American culture and love.
As shown, black actors put on blackface paint and their “white” fans also put the makeup on as well and started associating themselves with as being “niggers” and blacks, when in reality, blackness does not come from skin color but from experiences and real life situations. It is also incredible to see Lee show how indifferent society is towards the racially discriminating minstrel show because we do not see it as a problem. We have these stereotypes that blacks are uneducated, dumb, and only useful for laughs. As a society, we feel like being white is the way to go, and the only way to be respected which brings us back to “Passing.” Clare wanted to be seen as a respectable woman, therefore, she chose to be white and established her identity by choosing a side that would leave her stereotype behind. “Bamboolzed” shows that we have to make choices, but at the same time, do these choices really determine who we are? It gives a good description of how racial identity is linked with choice, but it is never a clear thing.
Racial identity is viewed as a choice throughout Lee’s film. The particular identity is relevant to how each individual wants to be seen through the lense of society A “white” person is educated, classy, articulate, and successful while a “black” person is simple minded and a firm believer in the hip-hop image that emphasizes violence and street culture. A person’s actual skin color, however, is a major influence on their flexibility to associate with a certain identity. The white characters in “Bamboozled” have the freedom to switch identities as they please; they carry themselves well during the day but they are also more than happy to put on blackface and laugh at the show. They can switch faces as they please. The black characters, on the other hand, do not enjoy such freedom. de la Croix best personifies this idea; he is completly measured when he speaks or makes a decision and he dresses professionally, like a “white” person might, and he initially looks down on the stupidity of the Minstrel show. He really wants to create a show that displays black individuals succeeding in the work force, living wonderful and fulfilling domestic lives. He is at a constant internal struggle, he identifies as black and wants to do good for the black community, but he feels he must act white to move up the corporate ladder. The New Millenium Minstrel Show conveys how mass media still views whites as the superior race, and how most of the general public feeds off of this perception. They have brought new energy to a fabricated stereotype, even as times change blacks are still portrayed as foolish and ignorant. Hip hop culture has become the modern day Minstrel show. The advertisement for the Tommy Hilfiger styled product emphasizes this point, as most of these “ghetto” customers throw out street slang, and constantly yell as they endorse the product. The males wear du-rags and baggy clothing while women barely wear enough to cover their waistline. The Minstrel Shows of old and the rap game are presented to make black people look stupid, to the point that they could never challenge the white leadership.
In Spike Lee’s Bamboozled the idea of racial identity as choice is especially present with the different beliefs of the main characters. Pierre Delacroix has changed his name and adopted an accent. His own identity is changed to fit in with the white television network. As shown through his canceled sitcoms, it is argued that the majority of viewers do not want to see an intelligent African American show. The character of his boss, Thomas Dunwitty, declaring himself “more black” because he is married to an African American woman, adds to the question of racial self identity. Similarly in the music group Mau Mau, there is a man who views himself as black and is even offended when he was not shot at in the SWAT standoff. This adds to the discrepancy between racial self identity and social identity. There are so many instances of controversy among the characters regarding racial identity; Sloan and her brother arguing over embarrassing ignorance, and Delacroix and almost everyone. The minstrel show only acts as a catalyst for the discussion of these issues because in their history they are so racist. The final scene showing the clips of the real movies and television show just adds to the narrative’s discussion of the marginalization of racial identity through racist stereotypes. While in the movie the minstrel show is offensive as well as humorous, the historical reality of the roles of African Americans in entertainment, shows the importance of these discussions of race and racial identity against the new racial stereotypes in today’s society.
In the film Bamboozled racial identity is a choice to some. The people on the show are both black and white but paint their faces to appear black. This racial identity is a choice only for those who are not black. The fan are both black and white as well, but, (as Nicole pointed out), when asked if they are “niggers” they all answer yes, regardless of their race.
Blackface and blackness are very different. Blackface is a choice and can be achieved by anyone who wants to. In the movie not all the actors are black, but only put on a blackface. Blackface accounts for the stereotypes of black people. Blackness, on the other hand is not a choice or a stereotpe.
This movie is very similar to the novel Passing. Clare chooses to pass as a white woman because she has light enough skin; she puts on a whiteface
I think that the movie portrays that racial identity is not a choice in the film. Right from the beginning, Delacroix is told that he needs to write a better script. What Delacroix comes up with, is a script that mocks African Americans. One that is insulting to the black race, and ironically, it is liked by everyone including the critics. There are two differences, the difference between black face and blackness. Black face signifies the stereotype. On the show it is when black people put on the black make-up, and they perform according to African American stereotypes. For instance the names of the two characters is important. Mantan and Sleepandeat. This signifies that black people all they do is sleep and eat, and are lazy, and are always late for events. It is interesting how the show immediately becomes popular, and I think that it says a lot about racial identity. I think the shows proves that African Americans are still thought of as having a lower status as white people. They are still treated with the same disrespect as they always have been. I think that this story really opened my eyes, and made me see that racial stereotypes will never really go away.
It is interesting to compare Mantan and Sleepandeat to the story Passing. In the movie, the two characters Mantan and Sleepandeat are willing to do anything for money, even if that means, wearing blackface. Even if it means that they are willing to criticize their own people. In the story Passing, Clare passes for a white person. She does it because she wants to have the same opportunities as white people do. She is willing to change her own identity, and she too gets criticized by African Americans. In the end both Mantan and Clare die. Which I think signifies that changing one’s identity is difficult to do, because society does not accept it.
Throughout Bamboozled, I feel that racial identity is definitely presented as a choice. Even at the beginning of the creation of the show, De LaCroix states that he does not want a famous actor to play the role of Mantan or Sleep and Eat because they would get “lost behind the blackface.” I found this interesting that such a minstrel show would require one to relinquish all ties to a prior identity for the entertainment of others. In this same way, Lee seems to differentiate between “blackface” and “blackness” through the character of Manray and his alter ego of Mantan. Mantan’s representation of the “blackface” forces him to make a joke out of himself and his entire race. Manray, however, is seen as the real life version of what “black” must be. His character struggles with the decision to be ‘loyal’ to his race by staying within his cultural norm or to break free from the life he had by becoming the latest version of his race (which remains extremely politically incorrect).
I think the most compelling part about the New Millennium Minstrel Show to audiences appeared to be the accessibility of formerly ‘untouchable’ subject matter. A topic that could never be mentioned before became a public televised success. I found this comparable to present use of the “n” word. While certain people feel that this word is okay to use throughout everyday language and in society, others feel that it is disgraceful and holds back the black race through ignorance and degradation. This same, current use of language is mirrored in Bamboozled in that the definition of what is acceptable in society and throughout racial identity is not clearly defined between each person. Thus, what is right for one person regarding identity is individual and cannot be determined based on group mentality.
In Spike Lee’s Bamboozled the idea of racial identity is presented in many different ways. The different characters represent the theme we can associate with our last novel of Passing.The main character De la Croix represents the ideal figure for passing. He takes on a somewhat fake accent while parading around in suits relaying a superior attitude to those of his black counterparts. He works in a predominately white place, with a white racist boss of whom De la Croix hates and refers to as “coon”, yet he still abides by him. The boss is white however believes himself to be more black than De la Croix, using the word “nigger” as though he feels he has a right through his childhood, and because he has a black wife and biracial children. De la Croix’s assistant is a young black woman who does not completely disown her black roots but she does take on a sense of white identity. She is brought into perspective by her brother who claims his name to be Big Black African or Big Black Af, he does not conform to any of the white ideas, and strongly encourages her to quit her job. The two black characters Womack and the tap dancer represent
The New Millenium Minstrel Shows creates a difference between blackness and “blackface”. De la croic hopes to send a social message that he assumes will be somewhat offensive. The idea of the “blackface” means the individual becomes invisible. While the “blackface” can essentially come off “Blackness” cannot it is something that people are forced to live with. Essentially “blackface” makes fun of the stereotypical ways that people perceive black people in the past. Very dark individuals, with big red lips that use a certain dialect. The show plays off of the idea that racial steroo types are still prevalent in society today.
Bamboozled shows that racial identity is a choice of the individual. We see this in many of the characters. Pierre Delacroix is a very educated black man who does not fit the stereotype of a “black man.” He speaks with a very distinct accent, his name is very white, he works in a very professional area, etc. His boss is a white man who is more “black” than Delacroix. He is married to a black woman, has two biracial kids, and even speaks like a stereotypical black man; his demeanor is very racist. Delacroix also has a black assistant who takes on a very white identity because of the field of work she is in, but she also does not tolerate the racism that comes from the show. The main actors in the show- Mantan and Sleep N Eat- make a choice of participating in this blatantly racist show, however they were not given a choice in their black identity to make any more money with this opportunity. The assistant’s brother chooses his racial identity of blackness by first of all, having his name be Big Black African, and he is in the Mau Mau’s which are against all whiteness. The fans of the show are both white and black and they identify with it so much because they beileve that it is funny and that racism is not in the picture any more and it was just a thing in the past; that is why they do not think it is wrong. The show show the very stereotypical ways in which black people were portrayed a long time ago, however it shows that these ideas about black people are still present in society.