• The mass popularity of Blackface in the United States allowed for both Americans and immigrants to find a national identity in this “melting-pot” culture.
• With the burnt-cork-coated faces came the Americanizing of immigrants– an identity newcomers could latch onto to both emphasize their immigrant status, and connect with their native neighbors.
• The popularity of blackface was playing role in creating a mass culture for immigrants.  It destabilized fixed identities and allowed for Jews to mix into America.
• However, Minstrelsy served as an organizing tactic for distinguishing white immigrant workers and black slaves.

Why Jews?

• Jews took minstrelsy by storm.  Most of the theatrical businesses in New York and beyond had fallen into Jewish hands.  When Jews needed a venue to perform, they were welcome at many of the businesses around New York City
• By targeting another oppressed culture, Jews were able to falsely hide the racial tension between black and white.
• Entertainment and performance in America allowed Jews to wipe away claims of rank and allow themselves to be judged purely on talent.
• Jews wanted to break out their shells; their humor in America was so vulgar because this type of humor was so repressed in the Shtetl.
• The Jews’ memories of their recent past influence, heightened, and enlarged their performances.  Jewish life was rich in extremes and full of an abundance of feeling.  This allowed for their natural knack in performance to be explored on stage in America.