A 1952 photograph of the cast of an unidentified drama production at the Hubley Township High School auditorium, Hubley Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
None of the individuals in the photo are identified. Two of the characters, at left, appear to be in black-face.
News articles and other “memorabilia” are presented on this blog to show how “black-face” was infused into the culture of the Lykens Valley area. Readers are invited to submit photos and recollections on how long this offensive “entertainment” lasted and what locals thought of it as part of the culture of the area.
Typically, white men and women blackened their faces, and performed while emphasizing negative stereotypical behavior that they attributed to African Americans. The primary purpose was to get laughs. The practice was supported by prominent people in the community and often found its way into school plays such as shown here.
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From the 1952 yearbook, Senior Sentinel of the Hubley Township High School, Hubley Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. A complete digital copy of this yearbook is available on Ancestry.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.