Response 6: Dance and Identity Politics in American Negro Vaudeville: The Whitman Sisters

JJ Janikis
DANC 163

Nadine A.George explains the significance of The Whitman Sisters as not only a group that crossed the color line, but also through their influence in gender norms. The success of the vaudeville acts of The Whitman Sisters redefined the traditional place of black women in the U.S. While many black vaudeville troupes were stuck perpetuating black stereotypes, The Whitman Sisters made the conscious decision to “reinvent the self and manipulate racial images” (George, 71). However, George explains the extent to which the Sisters fair-colored skin allowed them to “pass” for both white and black audiences. Therefore, the success of The Whiteman Sisters underlines the significance of race and gender identity among audience expectations.
George illustrates the Sisters as “high class” entertainers that were able to entertain both white and black family audiences. Therefore, the social position of The Whitman Sisters made their acts respectable and could appeal to all audiences. In addition, the sisters were well educated and raised in an upper-class religious home. In many ways their social position had already opened them up to being a “high class” act.
While the acts themselves did not perpetuate negative black stereotypes, The Whitman Sisters conscious decision to “pass” in white and black audiences highlights the level of segregation among white/ black audiences and white/black styles of theater and dance. Their fair skin and died blonde hair allowed them to “pass” as white for a white audience, while the painted “black face” for a black audience reinforced their contrast of the traditional black skin. George explains that, “In donning the blackface the Whitman Sisters challenged audiences to deal with their own racialized expectations” (72). Therefore, both white and black audiences had to reevaluate the traditional value of race and skin color based on the “face” of the Whitman Sisters.
In addition, “gender passing” via cross- dressing and occasionally presenting masculine acts also secured the success of the sisters. While the role of the Whitman Sisters to mange their acts defied gender norms, many of their acts perpetuated the devalued vole of black women in society.
The positive role of the Whitman Sisters in black talent challenges the traditional perspective of “black” and “white” entertainment. As George highlights, “In their approach to color and beauty, the Whitman Sisters were well ahead of their times” (74). However, why is this the first time that I have heard of the Whitman Sisters? Where were other black artists also not able to be as successful in their vaudeville careers? To what extent to skin color in race and gender allow a person to “pass” and appeal to greater audiences in entertainment?

JJ Janikis
October 13, 2009