Education For Life Academy
Where Black History Lives!
The Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Curriculum
Video Short: Cotton and Chick Watts Black Minstrel Show Comedy
STUDY QUESTIONS (also in Study Guide)
Suggested Documentary: Hattie McDaniel Mini Biography
Introduction: The Politics of Education – Propaganda vs. Empowerment
Class 3: Race & Popular Culture: The History of the Coon, Mammy, Pickaninny & Sambo
- How would you describe Cotton's outfit? What is the material made out of? How does his appearance relate to stereotypes of Black people?
- When Cotton tells Chick that the Civil Service Examiner asked him, "How far was it from the sun to the moon?", he makes a funny remark as to how he answered. What is the significance of this question as it relates to getting a mail carrying job?
- What is the difference between the way Cotton speaks versus how Chick speaks? What are the implications of this distinction?
- When Chick Watts tells Cotton that she would pay him "all that he is worth," what was Cotton's reply? Who is the joke on?
- What does Cotton do at the end of the skit? Why doesn't Chick stay to do it with him?
- What types of audiences would find this comedy skit funny?
Suggested Film Short: The Help: Stereotypes of Black Women in Early Film
