Alex Davis - Core Response

Paul Robeson - Show Boat

I found Dyer's critique of Paul Robeson fascinating. To Americans, Paul Robeson embodied every part of black culture. It is hard to imagine a caucasian counter-example. He become so associated as the hero of black culture. Even so, he pandered to the white imagination of black culture (cue Show Boat). 

Show Boat - Ah Still Suits Me 

Paul Robeson carefully treads the line between stereotypes and portraying the courage and willfulness of black Americans during this time. 

He is known for changing the lines of the Showboat song "Old Man River" from the meek "...I'm tired of livin' and 'feared of dyin'....," to a declaration of resistance, "... I must keep fightin' until I'm dying....". This exemplifies his determination to not pander to the imagination of white viewers. 

Dyer notes that Robeson, especially in O'Neill dramas, "plays on the opposition of basic black and white racial/cultural differences" (72). I found this especially true in his character in Show Boat. He sharply congrats with Gay's character - a seemingly refined and proper white American. In the end, it is Joe that displays his character and strength. 

This performance supports his personal views on the differences between what "Negro's feel" vs. the "white man". He is quoted saying that black men "feel rather than think, experience emotions directly rather than interprets them" (Dyer 73). 

The life of Paul Robeson drew an important conclusion for me. The life and experiences of African Americans has always been judged by experiences and expectations of the white majority. As Dyer speaks of Paul's performance as Othello, white critics expected a primitive portrayal and were disappointed when they did not get that. Both expect spontaneity, emotion, and naturalness -  they just expect it to manifest in different ways. 

I do not agree with Dyer's views on "Old Man River". He says that no one ever truly believed that the song was a quinine folk song. I strongly disagree. The song truly speaks to the struggles of Joe's character (and the great struggle for black culture).

The portrayal of Paul Robeson's body in Show Boat is interesting. As Dyer notes, the visual treatment of Robeson reproduces the feeling of subordination of the person looked at. This remains true for his character in Show Boat. The imagery of him holding the heavy bail provides great imagery: the "weight" of oppression and manual labor. 

In general, Paul used his character in Show Boat to call attention to many important questions about race and racial equality. The characters systematic placement in scenes (when Julie is called out as a mulatto) further draws our attention to important social questions. 

Robeson must have been hesitant in accepting his role in Show Boat. Carrying the burden of representing the entire black culture, it must have been hard to accept a position that was defined by the acceptance of the white majority. Their acceptance of the "black worker", pushing him further from leadership and total inclusion, is a heavy task to be put through. 

The physical representation of black Americans is an important part of understanding race in media. It has been used as a vessel to tell the story of black hysteria. It became a superficial way to "clump" people together based on perceived differences. History has shown the preference of a majority to exploit these differences for individual gains. As such, white majorities capitalized on racism to exploit the human labour of African Americans (ex. the workers of the ship v. the white performers). 

Has the idea of "representing" black Americans improved? Is it still from the vantage point of a white majority? Or is this just matter of perception? 

What do you think?